Two Minute Monologues
Why are two minute monologues so important and why are they so hard to find?
Most colleges and universities require actors to prepare two contrasting monologues, often specifying that one must be contemporary and one classical, where each monologue must be under two minutes. Additionally, it is advised to choose one piece that is dramatic and another that is comedic to show your range. Some competitions cap the total time at three minutes in which case you may want to consider combining a two minute monologue with a one minute monologue.
The challenge comes in when trying to find monologues of the length you need that also speak to you as a performer. Many monologues from plays will need to be cut down or combined together from longer scenes to fit in under the two minute mark. Reading widely across contemporary and classical plays is of course the best option, however, where shortcuts are needed there are some excellent monologue books that can serve as a good starting point to discover quality material and the benefit with anthologies of monologues is they are often edited down with the two minutes in mind.
Once you find the monologue for you, count the words! Generally speaking, 225 words is the top end of two minutes. So make sure of course you time yourself, since everyone speaks at a slightly different rate!
The challenge comes in when trying to find monologues of the length you need that also speak to you as a performer. Many monologues from plays will need to be cut down or combined together from longer scenes to fit in under the two minute mark. Reading widely across contemporary and classical plays is of course the best option, however, where shortcuts are needed there are some excellent monologue books that can serve as a good starting point to discover quality material and the benefit with anthologies of monologues is they are often edited down with the two minutes in mind.
Once you find the monologue for you, count the words! Generally speaking, 225 words is the top end of two minutes. So make sure of course you time yourself, since everyone speaks at a slightly different rate!
You will find a collection of ten 2-minute monologues here ... and counting!
Each of the monologues on this page can be performed in under two minutes and the majority are published in these monologue books. The monologues below are each 225 words or less, edited for use in competition, and may be cut further as required with the author's permission. Contact the author via the contact page of this website for permission.
While is is not advisable to copy someone else's performance of these monologues, if you are looking for inspiration, you can find video performances of many of the below on the monologues page and the monologue performances page of this website. Just make sure you then transform and reimagine the piece through your own unique voice and performance style!
As of now, there are ten 2-minute monologues on this page. However, every month a new monologue is posted on Monologue Genie's main homepage. These will periodically be edited down to under 225 words and they will arrive here!
While is is not advisable to copy someone else's performance of these monologues, if you are looking for inspiration, you can find video performances of many of the below on the monologues page and the monologue performances page of this website. Just make sure you then transform and reimagine the piece through your own unique voice and performance style!
As of now, there are ten 2-minute monologues on this page. However, every month a new monologue is posted on Monologue Genie's main homepage. These will periodically be edited down to under 225 words and they will arrive here!
Two Minute Monologues for Women from Plays
The following six two minute monologues are comedic, contemporary and for women.
- I Ate The Divorce Papers is a comedic monologue under two minutes from the play Goodbye Charles by Gabriel Davis.
Synopsis: A woman eats her husband's divorce papers in an attempt to halt the proceedings.
Monologue Categories: Vulnerable monologues, angry monologues, heartbroken monologues, divorce monologues, funny female monologues, 2 minutes or less, the age range can be anywhere from 20 to 70 years young.
Click to read the two minute version of I Ate the Divorce Papers. - Its Terrible Being Nice is a comedic monologue from the play Goodbye Charles by Gabriel Davis.
Synopsis: A woman realizes that her current relationship is turning her into her worst nightmare: a nice person.
Monologue Categories: Relationship monologues, high stakes monologues, romantic monologues, funny monologues.
Click to read the two minute version of It's Terrible Being Nice. - I Kissed Marisa is a comedic monologue for women from the play _Unbearable Hotness by Gabriel Davis
Synopsis: Jill's best friend Marisa kisses her and asks that they come out to their friends together.
Monologue Categories: LGBT monologues, comedic monologues, seriocomic, relationship monologues, dating monologues, audition, competition, young adult.
Click to read the two minute version of I Kissed Marisa. - Breaking Up with Brandon is a comedic monologue for women from the play Unbearable Hotness by Gabriel Davis.
Synopsis: Jill recounts a confrontation with boyfriend Brandon over his infatuation with her best friend, Marisa.
Monologue Categories: Breakup monologues, relationship monologues, comedic, contemporary, dating, young adult, audition.
Click to read the two minute version of Breaking Up with Brandon - Quiche Isn't Sexy is a comedic monologue for women from the play Quiche Isn't Sexy by Gabriel Davis.
Synopsis: When her date tries to prepare her a romantic dinner, Jackie is brutally honest with him that his choice of dish (quiche) is the opposite of sexy.
Monologue Categories: Dating monologues, food monologues, competition monologues, audition, adult female, contemporary.
Click to read the two minute version of Quiche Isn't Sexy. - Latte Factor is a comedic female monologue from the play Hello, Goodbye, Peace by Gabriel Davis.
Synopsis: Alina, a sassy, smart barista is fed up with rude customers at the coffee shop and decides to share her feelings with one such customer.
Monologue Categories: Funny female monologues, sassy monologues, sarcastic monologues, short audition pieces for young women.
Click to read the two minute monologue Latte Factor
Two Minute Monologues for Men from Plays
The following four two minute monologues are comedic, contemporary and for men.
- The Fact Checker is a romantic comedy monologue for men from the play Goodbye Charles by Gabriel Davis.
Synopsis: A fact checker grapples with his illogical, irrational head-over-heals love for his best friend's girl.
Monologue Categories: Romantic comedy monologues, relationship monologues, New York monologues, dating, contemporary, competition, audition.
Click to read the two minute version of The Fact Checker. - 26 Year Old Bar Mitzvah Boy is a comedic monologue for men from the play Goodbye Charles by Gabriel Davis.
Synopsis: A Bar Bitzvah is a boy's passage into manhood. Worried he may have missed the mark the first go around, a young man embarks on a Bar Mitzvah reboot.
Monologue Categories: Funny monologues, comedic, young men's monologues, contemporary, audition.
Click to read the two minute version of 26 Year Old Bar Mitzvah Boy.
- Honey, I'm a Leprechaun is a funny quirky monologue for men from the play Goodbye Charles by Gabriel Davis.
Synopsis: A man begs his wife to come to terms with the strange transformation that has overtaken him.
Monologue Categories: Funny monologues, monologues about marriage, domestic and family comedy, contemporary, audition.
Click to read the two minute version of Honey I'm a Leprechaun. - The Puppy Room is an over-the-top comedic monologue for nerdy scientific type guy from the play Hello, Goodbye, Peace by Gabriel Davis.
Synopsis: An engineer speaks to a panel of investors to gain funding for his invention that will revolutionize the rehabilitation of convicted felons: adorable robo-puppies.
Monologue Categories: Humorous monologues, science monologues, nerdy character monologue, absurdist humor, comedic, contemporary, funny audition pieces, young male, adult male.
Click to read the two minute version of The Puppy Room.