Creating Your Own Monologue (Paperback)

~ (Author) "For our purpose in this book, solo art refers to one actor/artist, alone on a stage before a live audience, performing material that he has..." (more)
Key Phrases: character monologues, audition monologue, monologue writing, New York, Los Angeles, Danny Hoch (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Beginning with a brief history of the one-person show, the author, himself an accomplished playwright, screenwriter, and actor, has written a comprehensive manual for anyone interested in preparing and producing their own solo performance piece. Chapters cover how to begin writing your own monolog, different types of solo material, fundamentals of a good monolog, creating characters and rehearsing, and performing and marketing your show. Included are samples of monologs and interviews with performance artists and directors, among them Quentin Crisp, Penny Arcade, Spalding Gray, Danny Hoch, and Kate Clinton. Useful appendixes cover lists of artists' colonies, theaters that accept solo material, publishers, competitions, agents, and tips on applying for grants. Well organized and clearly written, this book can be recommended for public, high school, and academic libraries.
-Howard E. Miller, Rosary H.S., St. Louis
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Coaching the reader through each stage of the creative journey, this is the first book that shows actors how to write successful monologues, performance-art pieces, and one-person plays.

The writing process is explained in easy-to-follow steps, from getting started, to expanding and tightening dialogue, developing character, editing and rewriting, rehearsing the final piece, and playing to audiences. Included are interviews with seasoned pros, techniques for marketing and promoting solo shows, and information about artists' communities, competitions, and grants.

Glenn Alterman, an award-winning actor and prolific writer for stage and screen, is the author of Promoting Your Acting Career and several other helpful books for thespians. He lives in New York.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581150385
• ISBN-13: 978-1581150384
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #907,828 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best monoloque help book ever., January 9, 2000

By A Customer

I take acting lessons in a group acting course and this book Creating Your Own Monologue, not only helped me with my own acting but the class and coach was thrilled that I had brought it in because using this book helped all of us to improve our work tremendously .

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Actors MUST buy this book!, May 13, 2000

By A Customer

I feel that this book is the most helpful book I've ever read about monologues. Mr. Alterman ABSOLUTELY knows his subject! I have written 5 wonderful monologues due to this brilliant book. Every step was so clear. The interviews were also quite wonderful!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RUN, dont walk to buy this wonderful book!, May 20, 2000

By	D. Elmowitz (Fort Lauderdale, FL) - See all my reviews

After years of looking all over for that "perfect" monologue I finally bought Mr. Alterman's book. It was a god-send. I actually wrote a WONDERFUL monologue due to this book. I now write monologues all the time and they get a terrific response! This book is really an actors dream Try it, you'll see. It's really a totally empowering book for actors!