“Save Carnegie Hall!” (drama) 1 Minute

Monologue Description: “Save Carnegie Hall!” is about a real life circumstance that needs IMMEDIATE ATTENTION with YOUR HELP.  This monologue has been inspired by “current” real life events that are taking place with Carnegie Hall’s Studio Tower Artists.  PLEASE SIGN PETITION HERE:  http://www.studiotowerartists.com/

Character Description:  In this monologue, Eleanor walks through the hallways of what used to be where she studied her craft as a ballet dancer.  She peers into her actual classroom for the first time in years to see if the rumors she has been hearing of the Studio Tower Artist’s removal is true.  She is accompanied by her dear friend Florence.

ELEANOR:

(looking through a glass doorway frame)

Oh my, that’s, that is just terrible…I cannot believe what they have done Flo.  Is this real?

(Eleanor looks deeply into her friends eyes)

This was the room where I first learned to get on toe…now it seems to be replaced by boxes.  BOXES?  Whatever for, Flo?  It does not seem plausible that such an occurrence is deemed possible. 

(beat)

How did, WHY did this happen?  Oh my, oh my, oh my.

(she pulls out a handkerchief)

I did not believe it.  I had to come here to see for myself.  I just couldn’t fathom such dishonor to artistic culture and human sensibility.  I feel like our heritage has meant nothing.  Thousands of hours…thousands of artists…

I used to stand right here, right outside this doorway with a nervous joy before entering.   We would dream of moving audiences with the subtlety of our movements and we fulfilled those dreams because of this place.  We used to talk about our passions.  Do you recall?

(beat)

(she wipes her eyes with her handkerchief)

What can we do now Flo?  Is it over?  Are we to just step aside and let change happen?  But what about what it has meant, what we meant, what art means to humanity?  I’m all for change but not when it shatters the very noble efforts that Mr. Carnegie himself took the liberty of taking for this wonderful city. 

It just doesn’t seem normal to me.  Pitiful, is to put it mildy.  Shameful is what these deeds, these wrongful actions have become. 

Why?  Why should such a beautiful place be taken away from us?