The Monologue Genie

   "What Theo Did" by Debra Neff.   Click here to read monologue on google books.
Synopsis:  A young man takes the stand in court and discusses witnessing a friend die.
Notes:  This is one of the best audition monologues for young adults I've come across. It contains potential for a fair number of laughs early on and finishes with a sucker punch of a dramatic moment at the end.  Depending on how its played, it can check the box of "comedy monologue" if you want it to, or "dramatic monologue."  As a result of the comedy in it when the dramatic moment hits, it hits hard.  The main character or monologist is this guy who thinks he's very cool. So he's trying to come off very casual and relaxed, he's trying to make his story entertaining -- the audience never imagines this character will say anything to lose his cool.  So the audience can be caught very off guard when his story takes a turn from casual, hanging out having fun at a party to vulnerable, frightened, witnessing a murder.  The journey of this monologue is terrific. One of the elements of great audition monologues (and great writing in general) is the "sucker punch."  For instance, in the movie Jaws, right before Jaws strikes, there is often a fun laugh moment.  The laugh-moment serves to put the audience at ease and off-guard so the moment we want to have impact does.  That's what happens in this monologue when it takes a sudden, unexpected tragic turn.  
Source: Sometimes I Wake Up in The Middle of the Night
Age Range: Teens, Young Adult (20's)
Length: 2 minute monologue
Categories: "Monologues for males," "College audition monologues," "Teenage monologues," "Monologues for young adults." 

“I Hate Hamlet” by Paul Rudnick.  Click here to read monologue on google books.
Synopsis: A second-rate actor shares his epiphany moment playing Hamlet.
Notes:  This is a genuinely funny comic monologue!  Gives the actor a nice journey to go on: from floundering (sucking at playing Hamlet) to having an incredible breakthrough moment where for just an instant he is in the zone -- he has mastered the character of Hamlet!   This comedic monologue makes us empathize with a character who is very charming, but really struggling, and we get to experience with him his moment of triumph.  
Source: I Hate Hamlet
Age Range: Adult
Length: 2 minute monologue
Categories:  Comedy monologues,  Free comedy monologues, One minute comedy monologues, Comedic monologues, Comedic audition monologues, Comic monologues
“Dad inside Baked Potato”  by Christopher Durang  Click here to read monologue on google books. Synopsis:  A man trying to work out his “daddy issues” ponders the meaning of a recurring dream he has where his dad is inside of a baked potato. Notes:  This monologue fits the category of "hilarious monologues" - it is literally one of the best one minute comedy monologues out there. As a result, it is well-worn audition material.  Funny monologues like this that are so far out and so entertaining are rare - at least in the world of established published playwrights.  As a result, Christopher Durang's plays are often go-to sources for comic monologues (also check out Nicky Silver).  But don't let this monologues' popularity stop you, trends shift and by the time you dig this one out, it may be fresh again.  The first time I heard this humorous monologue was at the ACTF regional finals. The actor performing it had me - and the entire audience - in stitches.   
Notes on use:   Monologue starts with line “The other night I dreamt my father was inside of a baked potato” and ends with line “…what I’m doing now isn’t working.”  
Source:  Laughing Wild
Age Range:  Adult
Length: 1 minute monologue
Categories:  Comedy monologues Free comedy monologues One minute comedy monologues Comedic monologues Comedic audition monologues Comic monologues Funny monologues Humorous monologues Short humorous monologues Hilarious monologues

"Build It and They Will Come"  Click here to read monologue on google books
Synopsis: Terrance tries to convince Ray to build his Field of Dreams.
Notes:  If you're looking for great movie monologues, this one is among them.  Who can forget the line "build it and they will come?"  This classic material from the celebrated film "Field of Dreams" gives an actor a great opportunity to play a monologue off of the "imaginary" person they're interacting with.  You can really showcase your talent for directing your energy at someone, because this monologue is all about reviving the spirits of the person you are speaking to.    
Source: "Field of Dreams"
Age Range: Middle Aged Adult
Length: 2 minute monologue
Categories:  great movie monologues, famous monologues, film monologues, dramatic monologue

"Shrink Vs. Genius"  Click here to read monologue on google books
Synopsis: Sean tries to get a stubborn Will Hunting to quit his tough guy act and open up.
Notes:  In the category of "great movie monologues" this is the role played by Robin Williams in the film "Good Will Hunting." 
Source: Good Will Hunting
Age: Middle Aged Adult
Length: 2 minute monologue
Categories:  great movie monologues, famous monologues, film monologues, dramatic monologue

"Suicide Hotline" by Elaine May  Click here to read monologue on google books. 
Synopsis: A suicide hotline operator talks a man off the ledge.
Notes: A great monologue for an actor to show their ability to play high stakes situations.
Notes on use:  Monologue starts at bottom of page 35 with line "Where are you now, Eddie" and finishes on page 36 with line "I'm proud of you, Eddie"
Source: Death Defying Acts
Age: Young Adult, Adult
Length: 1 minute monologue
Categories: dramatic monologue for men, Male Monologues Monologues for men Monologues for males Contemporary Monologues Free monologues Monologues from plays Acting monologues Famous monologues audition monologues