The TRUTH about Monologues | Why Acting Monologues are OVERRATED 

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Kurt Yue is an absolute help to me. I only subscribed in January and he has already helped and boosted my confidence so much

I could not agree more! I am currently an acting major at a university, and we are constantly given monologues to work on. I always feel like the odd one out in my class, because I'm the only actor who seems to dislike them! They make me second guess my choices and question my abilities. I am currently taking virtual Meisner classes with the Houde School of Acting (thanks to you!) and it made me realize how comforting it is to work off of a partner. It's nice to hear that I'm not the only one who struggles with monologues. Thanks for another great video!

I’d love to join the Zoom this Saturday but I have to take my SAT exams during it... I hope to join another time!

Couldn't agree more! I can't tell you how many times I've worked with actors who can NAIL the monologues they've been working on for ages...but, put them with another actor and dialogue...many of them are a fish out of water.

It actually sounds very logical. I'm an actor in my first working years and I started really getting it after I stopped focusing on monologues and started training with other actors instead. Studying scenes and responding to each other.

I'm in grade 9 and want to be an actor so bad. I find acting so fun and it gives me the ability to portray a character who I cant or can be myself. Me being smart I'm taking acting classes through high school

Your a legend man you have helped me succeed in my acting, in a few years I will see you on set

I mostly agree. It's a piece of the puzzle but doesn't really represent your skills. I have been asked to perform a monologue by a producerbefore however. I think it's good to keep one in your backpocket, so to speak. Totally agree scene work is much more important.

I'm going to join saturdays live zoom class. Can't wait!

Hi Kurt and thanks, as always! As an actor who is interested in stage as well as screen acting, I've had to learn and perform monologues for theatre auditions. To be honest, I much prefer scene work but there's an element of discipline in monologue work that can be empowering and can carry over into scene work. Maybe that's just me. I'm not sure about monologues making the actor unaware of their "scene partner". As one acting teacher pointed out, all monologues are actually dialogues except the other person is just listening at that moment. (Don't say I told you, but that teacher used to allow the actor to actually have a scene partner - another actor from the class - so that the one delivering the monologue has a real, live person to talk to. I really loved that!) But, in my mind at least, having to imagine a scene partner is the same as any other imaginary work actors are called upon to do. As for people just starting out who don't know any other actors and/or cannot afford acting classes, I would suggest joining a community theatre. Even if theatre acting is not the new actor's goal, community theatre is a fun way to learn about acting and, to get to your point Kurt, meet other actors. Pretty much every community has at least one amateur theatre and it's almost always free (or extremely inexpensive) to join. Not all community theatres require auditions but, in my experience, the ones that do will usually want the auditioner to read a scene with one of the other actors. Love your videos, Kurt! Keep'm coming.

I agree with you 100% Sometimes I work on monologues just to practice my "memory" chops. I enjoyed the video.

Dude, the fact that you had the guts to say this is amazing. I have gone to numerous programs, classes, & other workshops that herd actors through tons of esoteric fluff but-sorry!-at the end of the day don't give you any true nuts & bolts. Ur practical & direct help is invaluable.

Hey there. I wanted to share my experiences when it came to monologues. I actually started acting right around 2009 but I didn't know I wanted to do film and television until later. My acting career started when I started working for theme parks in central Florida. When it comes to theme park acting, I always had to have a monologue to audition but it was until I started training to do film and television that I started to see less and less monologues and more scene and partner work. Thank you for letting me share this with you and everyone in the community.

I never really thought about that, but now that you mentioned it, it’s true. I think the most important thing is the listening and reacting part. Also because monologues don’t appear that often in movies or TV. Thank you!

I absolutely agree, sometimes new indie casting directors will ask for them, but it's VERY rare

I agree with you Kurt, I think they are a waste of time, and from my own experience the only time I was ask to perform a monologue was for agents, which makes no sense cause they send you out on tv and films.

That's a really eye-opening video! I'm a beginning actress. I've learned some monologues and sometimes it's really unnatural to talk that much, cause you just know that in real life in the conversation there would be someone who would actually interrupt. So hey! If there is anyone here who wants to practise some scenes, please reach out to me and we can learn together!!!

Have been working on monologues for ages but I recently got the opportunity to perform a scene with someone else and it wasn't a challenge for me but I totally agree that monologues shouldn't be where an actor stops or depends on.

We audition at Film Schools here. There is no network TV, only 2 indie films a year on average and not very many locations for classes offered. They have open auditions at the film schools and require a monologue each semester. I find they help with memorization, and I am getting faster at learning scenes. Working on a monologue moves the learning curve along. Especially if you are new and don't have a scene partner and have some discipline and not a lot of guidance it gives you an opportunity to practice and try different ways of speaking the lines so that they sound truthful in the moment. Reading the books is fine and helpful, but doing is more important. Zoom is helpful and good for classes, but if you don't know about how to connect with the class, or in the near future they are discontinued, there isn't a whole lot of stuff you can do. In the meantime, honing your instincts is something positive you can do and doing something is better than doing nothing.

I definitely agree. Although there are many pros on how monologues can be beneficial, I still feel that they knock my confidence. Especially when I don't think I made the right choice. I am a new subscriber and I must say I love love your page. This is the 5th video I've watched literally. Thank you!!

I loved this Kurt. I agree with you as I did book one of my auditions as a news anchor through a Monologue and reading a script. So some casting my surprise you for that 1001 opportunity . Thanks , captain Kurt

I enjoy doing both monologues & "sides" from movies. I've been teaching myself with the help of online acting classes and awesome ones like this video on RU-vid. Personally for me, doing monologues don't bother me as long as I am not doing theatrical monologues. I find this information very helpful & I'm going to see if I can find another actor to start rehearsing "sides" with more.

Kurt, first, I love your channel, your screen persona, and your passion for acting. You are helping to guide and inspire many actors and fledgling actors. I am a stage and screen actor as well as an acting teacher. For decades, I have worked exclusively in TV and film. I gave you a thumbs up. That being said, here are my thoughts about monologues. I agree with you that the foundation of acting is listening and reacting authentically to other people. In theater, that is consistently the rule. The reality of on camera acting often challenges that rule. Live auditions usually involve readers who are instructed to give a fairly neutral read. I have had acting students complain about an audition because they felt the reader didn't give them enough or anything at all. My response is, "Never blame the reader. Your job in an audition is to act AS IF you are getting everything you need from the reader." Also, I have been on set in situations where I had to deliver my lines to a piece of tape while listening to the flat reading of a script assistant. Another great example of acting and reacting AS IF is the challenge of performing with a "partner" who will only appear as a green screen effect. I have used scenes in my classes from the wonderful 1993 movie, "Heart and Souls." I can still see Alfre Woodard's emotional reaction to a celestial bus that approaches her from the sky. So, here's how I use monologues (occasionally) in my classes. I emphasize that a monologue is not a speech. It is a scene between you and a partner who isn't there right now (you alluded to that briefly). I ask the student to decide on a strong intention for speaking these words now. Then, the student breaks the monologue down into beats. Each beat marks a moment when the "partner" reacts to what they hear and feel. If I am performing the monologue, I must look at the other person to see the effect I am having on them. This keeps the actor's focus and energy outward, which is what the camera loves and reads. I love Meisner. I've used his work in acting classes. However, relying on Meisner exclusively can set a new actor up for trouble. The technique serves you well when you get a full authentic reading from a partner.; there are too many on camera moments when that just won't happen. Ultimately, I am on the same page as you. I don't believe that new actors should focus on learning monologues at the expense of mastering their listening and reacting skills with scene work. Keep contributing you value, and all the best on your career.

Hey man i recently got into acting classes The funny thing is I’ve learned more things about acting on your RU-vid channel then in the acting classes themselves so keep up the good work love your vid‘s and hopefully in the future we can work on a movie together👍

This video is right on for me since I was just asked by an Agency who is interested in maybe representing me to perform a monolog in self-tape audition. At first I was so excited but then I remember all the monolog books I've read they all SUCK in my opinion. I got really nervous then yesterday playing around with my imagination I wrote one that I'm very happy with cse at least I can connect with it. I definitely agree with you & wonder why they asked me to do a monolog instead of a scene. I'm not new to the business, I have a demo-reel I send with voice-over work that include very prestigious companies to say the least. I dropped out of acting for a while & I'm coming back to it. Your videos are so helpful since now things I've changed. Kind of like the self taping cse we don't have only one shot to get it right 😃 Great work & generous feed back Kurt much appreciated.

Kurt, I love your channel. I would recommend making a video called, "Monologue vs Dialogue". Great work! Keep it up!

It was huge for me listening and learning about this. These are the micro differences that make the difference. Will be focusing more on scene work than my monologue work for sure from now on. Having a theatre background can't help but to have a repertoire of monologues haha, for sure this helps to not go at it from a Theatre perspective working in film. Gracias Kurt!

Kurt this is a gem, never thought of this even as a beginner just stepping in. Unfortunately I don’t have any classes near me and I’ve been looking into online colleges but they seem to want monologues performed for being admitted. If there is any actors willing to work with me that would be great.

Hi Kurt, this was such great information. As a new actor and just getting started in my acting career one of the requests my agent is asking me to submit a self tape monologue. I try practicing in the mirror by myself but it’s hard. I like how you explain to practice with a buddy. I will definitely try it if I can find someone with free time” lol. Thank you for sharing. Also wanna let you know I absolutely love your channel. 😊

Totally agree with you Kurt! Great video.

Great discussion. Monologues are greatly misunderstood and I believe based on acting it has a purpose, I will explain. Monologues are a moment of a total scene. They can be in a movie short film or theater. Monologues a great for the actor to learn and develop an imagination and bring it to life. Did you ever watch a movie or television show where an actor takes a minute and has a lecture or speech to the audience that is a monologue in a scene. For example remember the movie Rocky ages ago. He did several monologues during the scene

I really love your videos! It helps me a lot on my journey to becoming an actress one day:)

Great video man could you please make a video on what to wear for headshots ???

Hi Kurt, I truly appreciate your videos and all the insight you have to offer! Would you consider making a video about how to best prepare for headshot sessions? Thanks! Roma

Love your help keep it up

I had a question whist watching this but you answered my questions. I’m saving up for a 5-day taster course. It’s in another city so have to save for airfares too. Thanks Kurt! This helped me heaps!

Can you do a video on how to make a video reel/ what it is? Thanks!

I will say, I had my first in person audition this week and they did have us do a monologue. I think if actors also want theatre roles it's always good to have one in your back pocket. Or even to practice for when you have long monologues as dialogue in your movie

thanks for the advice 🥺

I want to become an an actor because I want to be somebody. I want to make my mark on the world in the deepest way possible. I want to be someone people look up to and are inspired by. I want to be able to portray characters and ideas through acting that need to be recognized or can be looked up to and related to. I want to speak for the people who can't speak for themselves. I want to create a character or environment that conveys message others might not be able to send by themselves. I want to escape my own mind and be able to explore many different characters and environments. I'm an imaginative person and I want to fulfill the scenarios I act out in my head. I've never really expressed my passion for acting at all and so I'm terrified that my parents will judge me and my friends will judge me. Plus I'm fourteen so there's not much I can do independently to launch my acting career. I want to do something and get out of my small bubble. I want to portray real life issues and ideas that need to be acknowledged or recognized through acting and characters. I want to be a actor because I've always wanted to be an actor. Ever since I was little, ever since I watched Harry Potter really, I always wanted to be an actor. I would act out little scenes in my head and stand in my driveway and act them out. I would write my own little scenes, I also love writing so that contributed a lot to my love of acting. I want to be an actor because I don't want to go through my life wishing I had become and actor. I don't want to regret not doing it because I was scared of being judged or ridiculed. I want to do it now and let my heart take the wheel rather than my fear. I don't want to be held back by fear of being tormented and judged. I do t want it to be too late when I decide I'm brave enough. I want to grow from the ground up without nepotism, all on my own. I want to be proud of myself. I want to make an impact. My goals are: -to grow and evolve as much as I can -to win awards -to gain confidence and show others how to gain confidence -bring life to a character -speqk for people through a character -to make meaningful relationships -play major or leading roles -to save people and inspire -to convey and translate emotion through acting and facial expressions and body language -i want it to be my career Sorry, I know this was a lot. I was just wondering if you had any advice for me seeing as I'm extremely indecisive and insecure about this. Also I love your videos and your whole vibe, you make me smile!

One of your best videos my friend. Very true

Yes you are absolutely right start going over scenes wit dialogue I also believe that’s a lot better

Thanks again Kurt!

Love all diffrent videos❤ you are good amazing work begin you and with you RU-vidchannel ❤❤❤

Thank you for this. I’ve been doing monologues for the couple of months and It’s been very dull recording by myself and not getting feedback

Excellent advice. I totally agree.

I totally agree on the “acting with others” perspective.. and that you can get too self centered working on monologues. But I train a lot doing monologues on video to get an accent right or to really get into the characters mind. I don’t usually show these monologues to casters or producers, BUT: sometimes they ask for a video to hear my British or American accent... and even a Russian accent ( which actually just landed a job for me) So I believe that monologues can be a good tool practicing, but I will always prefer a dialogue with a fellow actor, if I was to send it as a self tape. So my advice is to practice on monologues and DON’T show it to anyone... just keep it to your self... and if a caster suddenly will ask for it!! Then you have it ready to send! That gave me a great job 😉

As an actor who has pretty much only ever auditioned for theater, I don’t like monologues. I’ve never once felt like I was feeling a monologue. I want to be a film and tv actor and I feel like this advice helped me more than my theater teachers did.

Been subscribed to your channel for a while, love your stuff! I'm not an actor myself, a musician and eng is my 2nd language BUT there's smth that pushes my comfort boundaries towards the acting(the way i speak, behave etc) when i speak eng and i was wondering that with a proper training it might even work out... What would your advice be like? In my case, i get it a bit how should i work on my acting skills and even been carrying this idea to upload a youtube video named "Dummy's trying to act" but haven't figured the whole concept out yet

First of all I'm a new subscriber and I'm interested in acting but I've never had any experience unless you count (not sure if that counts but) being an angel in a Christmas program in elementary school. I don't think we had to try out for a part but I think you could volunteer but I'm not 100% sure on that though. we had Christmas programs every year not everyone got a part which meant you were singing with everyone else. I was also a raccoon in one of them too I just had to run across the stage. And in my 5th grade class program I had a part where I went up to the microphone and said a line which was quote "what is it?" Which was perfect for me because I had extreme stage fright when I was little but I sort of faced my fear sort of. I've always been nervous when I had to be up in front of a crowd and sometimes I wouldn't be nervous at all. I think if I don't think about being nervous it helps me not to be also taking a deep breath helps a lot too. I was proud of myself that I didn't get scared or so nervous I started to burst into tears those times. In speech class my senior year in high-school helped me to get a little used to being in front of a "crowd" aka my class mates, I was pretty confident in myself the redo of my first speech assignment cause I butchered it the first time. 🤣 if I were in a play now I don't know if I'd still not be over stagefright. I guess in movies you don't have to worry about it that much since your being watched on a screen instead of live in a theater with loads of people. I've learned a lot from these vidoes but I haven't started acting at all because I'm still not sure if that's what I want to do plus not to mention I don't know if or when I'd be successful or not but I guess it doesn't hurt to try. I hope I get lucky though. I've always been interested ever since I was little in how they made movies or how they did a certain scene from a movie and i loved using my imagination and playing pretend all the time and I loved to dress up in a costume also for some reason I can see a movie a thousand times and still be entertained by it and not get tired of watching it. Hopefully this didn't sound selfish or self centered or anything like that and I apologize if I did cause it's not what I intended.

you're awesome love watching your videos.

Most of the stuff I watch on tv or in movies is people interacting with other people. Occasionally, a monologue happens, but even then it’s usually one person talking to another and not into the ether.

Hey Kurt! Do you have any videos on callbacks? Any advice you have on those or tips on them would be greatly appreciated, love the videos!

Most of the auditions that have requested a monologue were student films, some indie films and did perform a monologue for a few casting directors when I went to their office to meet them but that was at least 7 years ago. The others were industrials and PSA mainly for the military

thanks for opening my mind

I think monologues are not as practical to work on for booking work, but in terms of building an actors muscles of imagination and response to that imagination is invaluable. Monologues tend to be a deep dive into the life of that particular character, a part of themselves they don't always share with others in a scene. They're very personal revelations. It also tends to be one of the pivitol parts of the entire script. So monologues may not be good for helping you book most acting jobs, but they are good for getting into the soul and life of a character which transfers well to lead/starring roles, series regulars and even guest stars imo. Also they're good practice for when the other actor decides not to be there for your close-up or situations where you may not be getting what you need from the other actor, set, or props. It's a way to self-generate life. Also, you don't need another person to work on them. But outside of theatre, you don't really use them.

I’m doing film and television acting and my acting class do not make us do monologues that often. But monologues are what we use to as samples for our acting because we don’t have a demo reel yet. It has helped me secure auditions so it has its uses.

Acting does involve really good social and communication skills, otherwise it would be a mess. l have done plays with Missoula Children's theater since 4th grade. I think I have done at least 3 productions. I loved the directors and the cast. They offered work shops, can you explain them in your next video? I never done one before. It's sad my school doesn't have a arts or theater program. - Madelaine Gantt💚🙂

I have said this all along myself. I have never once been asked to do a monologue that wasn't for an acting class. By the way, just booked a national spot which shoots Sat and Sun. Also, wanted to mention that I am a fellow Ohioan too - from Canton, although I've lived in LA for quite a while now. LOVE your channel. Very inspiring.

I rewatched cobra kai just to see you lol

I think a monologue helps with intonation and line memorising.I certainly would'nt disregard it.

Thank you Sir!!!!

Good stuff.

I agree 100%. Monologues are more for theater. Being asked to perform a monologue in a TV or film audition is rare, although I have had the occasional audition for a politician or clergy role where I was giving a speech.

I totally agree with you!!

I’ve never been asked to perform a monologue in all my auditions. When I learned monologues in an acting class, they’re supposed to be a one side of a conversation than a set speech.

can you show us what your audition tracking looks like? Id love to see that!

I couldn't agree with you more. And let me say, as a stage actress mainly, that this applies also on stage acting. There aren't many plays that have big monologues, besides greek ancient theater and generally the more classical plays. Learning how to work with a partner is the most useful lesson. Monologues are good but they are tricky especially when you are just beginning with acting.

I agree with you, But ever since the pandemic auditions are now conducted online and we're required to send monologues.

Yes I have done a number of monologs in class, its acting alone. Its good for memorization. Its much easier for me to memorize lines in a scene with other actors because I only act a few lines at a time then follow the ques of the scene partner so much easier then a monolog even if the scene has twice as many lines.

I completely agree but I don’t have a science partner 😭. I’ve been searching for people for ages... but imma have to try harder.

Dude, I'm new to acting and I've taken several acting classes and monologues seem to be geared toward the theater world. However, if you are NOT trying to work in that environment, then as you said, they might be useless. However, they do help you work on creating a character. However, as you mentioned, it seems as if they are more geared towards the theater and actors really need to know WHAT they want to do and where they want to work.

I totally agree with you.

i am releaved in my beginning acting class last year in Hight School i was good at the acting but not so good in a monolog because i am better at interacting when i am interacting i can picture everything like i am in their shoes plus i want to be in front of cameras rather than on a theatre stage.

wow.. I have never known that...see I have always wanted to do film-like on Television shows and possibly movies! But, I just always worked on Monologues by myself and never knowing that I should do dialogues and work it with someone else who wants to be an actor!! are there still zoom acting classes???

Well I had my first television audition for a non-union project and I was told to perform my own monologue along with my script

I think I agree with what you said.

Hey Kurt, What am I supposed to do as a teen that wants to be an actor if I don’t have any drama classes In my school and don’t have enough money to pay for acting classes.

As practically strictly a theatrical performer, that was striking news. Like wow.

I'm fairly new to the acting world and I've had to do two monologues so far! Both of which I've had to write on the fly, based on the character description. Never got a callback from either. I agree, I think their overrated.

I'm in Chicago and I have been working mainly in theatre. For theatre, monologues are extremely important. Especially when you start out. The longer you've been working, the less monologues you'll have to do.

I‘m 14 and I wanna be an actress so bad and just if it’s in theater or camera! Acting is a big part of my life since I’m in Kindergarten and I just made many little films with my friends when I was younger and I just love acting so much! Acting gives me happiness when I’m not right now.. I can be someone different and I feel this so much because I love just being in another world and I start real acting classes soon bc I did it in school a little bit and on my self or with my friends. I‘ll go to theater and make experiences and then starting searching an agent and I don‘t know I have the feeling that I’ll go to America (bc I live in Germany). Do you have some tips for the beginning? Ps I love ur account!!

Can you make a video about what’s the difference between union,nonunion and SAG AFRA

I have a question for you! If you don't have a demo reel, could you have a monologue filmed "self tape" style for a backstage profile or something so you have footage?

That a idea that makes sense.. straight meat and potatoes.. But wouldn't it depend on the market your in per se? .. Im 100% on your side but NYC does monologues but as stated NYC is heavy theater.. im 50/50 on just learning both..Could just be types of markets Mr. Kurt.. respect from Mid-Atlantic/D.C

I had read the application for national theatre school of Canada and they have a monologue requirement as an audition requirement.

I would love to start an acting career, but I'm also religious and don't want to work on saturdays. Do you think I could still do this with a personal free day or is this rather hopeless? Love your videos btw😊👍

Hey Kurt Yue. So I asked my dad on what do I gonna start doing so I’ll have a better chance to be an actor and he said post Sketches and things. I’ll post a sketch 1 per week. Do u you it’ll help me being an actor or what do u think. Love your videos btw😊

I am taking classes and we only do monologues. But when we had to do a duologue I found it really hard to perform it (because of the listening side). What would be a good way to practise duologues myself?

Interesting. I've always used my monologues in auditions. Only once, they just asked me to respond ad lib to see me on camera. What do you do in auditions? I'm waiting to hear, please get to the point

Interesting, and it does seem like doing monologues at the beginning of one's training is perhaps premature given other things one could be doing (thinking film/tv)... for the reasons you mentioned. But it boils down to how many has one had to do as part of the casting process unless it's in the sides themselves... and your own experience is enlightening. What has been your experience in talking to other working actors you know about this?

i agree 100%!

A question: do you know of a good resource to find dialogues for practice? (Also, I agree! I feel monologues are so much more daunting because there is nothing to respond to, just yourself!)

This is the whole reason I never wanted to be a theatre major. I literally have 0 interest doing plays or theatre in any aspect. I don't think that colleges understand that there needs to be more "on camera" acting courses. I also didn't like the requirements for theatre majors to go to mandatory college/university plays. It's just never been my thing. I'd much rather go to the movies or watch TV shows.

I agree 100%.

For how many years have you been auditioning??

i wanna get into acting classes i’m 17 years old with no type of experience and i feel like it will be a waste of time because i have so much doubt in my abilities any advice?

It’s better to have both

I really need help on finding scenes to work on because I really cannot find any