Moment’s Notice

In drama monologue Moment’s Notice, Barbra vents to her assistant Kenneth about how she isn’t prepared to perform on stage.

Featured Monologue – Moment’s Notice

BARBRA: One thing leads into the next. I was putting on my blouse for the opening scene. No one was here to help me mind you, and sure enough, a tear right at the elbow as I pulled it on. And Margie took an entire hour to sew it and return it to me, twenty minutes before I’m expected to go on. And I am supposed to get into character in twenty minutes? All they do is fuss with me, pulling my hair here and there, and I’m sick of it. None of them have any kind of self-awareness or just the sheer awareness of time!

I entered the theater three hours early today to prepare, and still, not a second to myself, I’m surrounded by a thousand questions and distractions, and not a second to think!

I don’t wish to sound pretentious, Kenneth, I don’t, but you know I just can’t stand it anymore! I have a way of working, I work fast, I do, I’ve had no choice but to learn how to work fast, but with all this hovering, doing things we simply don’t need to do, it throws me off and, and…No, I simply can’t go on. I’m too worked up, I’m aggravated, I could shoot someone, and I’VE TRIED to concentrate, do all the meditational bullsh’t I’ve worked so hard to master, and I’m not there Kenneth. Look at me, I’m not even close.

And you expect me to go on full of joy, as the playwright states, “Carol is floating on air.” How can I possibly float, when I am evidently sinking? (beat) No, no, there is no way! I won’t go on. Cancel. Cancel. Cancel this disaster before it’ll ruin the entire run! I’m warning you, It will. We will be a laughing stock tonight. Is that what you want?

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Monologue Summary

In the one act eplay, Moment’s Notice, Barbra goes on a rant to her assistant Kenneth over how she never feels ready to perform in front of an audience.

• Genre: Drama
• Length: ~1 Minute
• Monologue Character: Barbra
• Age Range: Any
• Themes: theatre, acting, creativity
• Best For: Female Dramatic Monologues

World of the Play

• Cast Size: 2 characters
• Characters in Play: Barbra, Kenneth
• Time Period: Modern
• Synopsis: In short drama play Moment’s Notice, Barbra is having a meltdown because she didn’t have enough time to prepare for her role before the opening scene for the evening’s performance. 

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Monologue Source: Moment’s Notice

Moment’s Notice is a dramatic one-act ePlay by Joseph Arnone, 2026.