Common Monologue Problems Actors Face and How to Solve Them

Actors can run into issues when it comes to performing monologues. We’ve gathered a few solutions if you ever feel blocked.

Such acting obstacles are a natural part of the monologue performance process.

What are common monologue problems and solutions?

Here are some of the most common monologue problems, along with tips for overcoming them:

1. Memory Lapses

Problem: You’ve spent an enormous amount of time trying to memorize your monologue, and you still can’t seem to remember your lines.

Solution:

• Break it down: Use beats as a way to break your monologue down into smaller pieces. Rehearse one beat section at a time.
• Write it out: Writing your monologue out by hand is another form of remembering. It allows you to digest the lines at a slower pace.
• Repetition: Go over your lines as often as you can. Repetition leads to remembering.
• Lettering: What letter starts the sentence for each beat? By memorizing several letters in their proper order, you may find it easier to remember the entire beat.

2. Monologue Burnout

Problem: Sometimes your monologue can feel stale, and you can’t seem to find a way to give it a fresh coat of paint.

Solution:

• Re-examine the Subtext: Revisit the subtext of the lines. Search for things that you have not excavated that will bring new life to the material. Ask different questions that will stir your imagination, and find ways of making you creatively excited.
• Take a Break: There’s nothing wrong with stepping back and forgetting your monologue entirely. Leave it alone for a week or a month or as long as you feel. Work on something new. You can always return to your monologue with fresh eyes.
• Play on Character or Circumstances: As an exercise, you can develop an entirely new character for your monologue, even one that doesn’t necessarily fit. You can do the same with the circumstances. Create a whole new situation for your character to play in. This exercise can jolt your imagination, allowing you to see your monologue in a different light.

3. Pacing Issues

Problem: There may be times when your monologue has a pacing issue, and you can’t seem to grasp the truthful tempo-rhythm of the scene.

Solution:

• Punctuation: Good writers will already provide for you the musical notation in your monologue. Pay close attention to where there’s a comma or a semicolon and say your lines out loud following the notes. This can prove to give you the rhythm you need, and as you continue to rehearse, it will be replaced with your own natural rhythm with the text.
• Experiment with Speed: Give yourself an exercise to deliberately go out of sync with the text. Don’t worry about finding the pacing. Try not to find the pacing. Try making the pacing that doesn’t work as truthful as you can. Try your monologue out slow-paced, then again fast-paced. Eventually, the current that lives beneath the words will start to reveal itself to you.

4. Lack of Intention

Problem: There may be an issue with a lack of intention or not having an objective strong enough that drives the interior life of your characters desire, need, and want.

Solution:

• Objective: Always return to your character’s objective. If they’re trying to persuade, comfort, or argue with someone, keep that in mind, and channel your energy toward achieving that goal.

5. Monologue Feels Routine

Problem: Maybe you’ve done your monologue for a year. Maybe you’ve over-rehearsed it. Your monologue feels routine.

Solution:

• Improvisation: Put away the text of your monologue and use your own words. Paraphrase line by line and riff on what it is you wish to say. This may help you break through your monologue and get rid of the familiarity you have with it.

6. Being Too Self-Conscious

Problem: Being overly aware of yourself can lead to self-doubt and monologue fear.

Solution:

• Focus on a Physical Action: When you focus on physical activity, you will also free yourself up to the doing of your character. Be sure that if you create a physical activity, it serves the character and monologue, not detracts from it.
• Focus on your Character’s Intention: We’ve already mentioned the importance of intention. It goes without saying that by having a strong objective, you will feel less self-conscious.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, it’s creatively healthy to make room for mistakes.

Striving for perfection may place unnecessary pressure upon yourself and distract you from the work you wish to create.

There is no solution that serves every actor.

The main thing is to develop your own creative way of working, learn to solve problems you may encounter, and continue to grow in your craft.