Looking for female monologues? Here you’ll find some ideas of good contemporary monologues for women, along with a short description of the piece and why we think it’s a good audition monologue.
These comedic and dramatic female monologues can be useful for casting calls, as well as audition pieces for acting schools.
Contents
1) Dramatic Monologues for Women
A Loss of Roses by William Inge
mid 20s – mid 30s
Get the play A Loss of Roses – Act II, Scene 2, at the end of the play (character: LILA)
Starts with… “I remember my first day of school.”
Ends with… “There’s so many things I still want back.”
Lila is an out-of-work actress during the depression. She just found out the young man she had a brief affair with is not serious about marrying her. After a half-hearted attempt to slash her wrists, she laments on all the things she lost.
1:30 minutes.
In this dramatic monologue, Lila recalls her first day at school, something most of us can relate to. The speech of this childlike, rather naive character will be more interesting to watch than many other monologues for women that portray bitter and angry characters. If you’re auditioning to get into acting schools, a well-known playwright like William Inge is a good choice.
The French Lieutenant’s Woman by Harold Pinter (adapted from the novel by John Fowles)
20s-30s
Rent the movie The French Lieutenant’s Woman(character: SARAH) – You may have to edit out a couple of lines by Mr. Smithson, but it works well as a monologue.
Starts with… “You cannot understand, Mr. Smithson.”
Ends with… “I am the French Lieutenant’s Whore.”
In 19th century England, Sarah shares with the man who will become her lover the story of how she became known as the “French Lieutenant’s Whore”. She’s an outcast who can never have what other women have, but who has found a unique freedom.
2 minutes.
This women monologue is a good audition monologue for a period film or play because of the slightly heightened language.
2) Comedic Monologues for Women
Little Murders by Jules Feiffer
20s-30s
Get the play Little Murders (A Comedy In Two Acts)– Act II, Scene 1 (character: PATSY)
Starts with… “Honey, I don’t want to hurt you.”
Ends with… “Will somebody explain to me why I think you’re so beautiful.” (Edit out the few remarks by the other character and her responses to them.)
A frustrated newlywed tries to get her non-responsive husband to change.
2:30 minutes (but you can easily make some cuts to bring it down to 2 minutes).
This female monologue from a dark comedy is full of interesting contradictions that can make it very humorous. The strong but spoiled character allows a good actress to show acting chops while being hilarious at the same time. This is also a good choice for auditions for acting schools.
Chocolate Cake by Mary Gallagher
20s-40s
In the collection of 3 one-acts entitled Win/lose/draw.
Starts with… “I never can seem to stay on a diet for more then a day or two.”
Ends with… “I just eat everything, everything, everything that’s bad.”
A compulsive over-eater complains about how hard it is to diet around her unsupportive husband.
2 minutes.
This comedic monologue for women can be a hilarious piece for a character actress. Since most people have been on a diet at least once, everybody can relate to this character. As the character’s frustration mounts, this female monologue gets more and more funny and could leave your auditioners laughing even after you’ve finished.
Looking for more female monologues for casting calls and acting school auditions? Click here to browse our selection of Movie Monologues, Teenage Monologues and Shakespeare Monologues.
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