Monologue Resources

Great audition monologues can be found from a variety of anthologies and plays, whether classic or contemporary. Below is a collated list of books which specially set out monologues for Black and global majority actors. Set across varying countries and contexts, many of the plays from which these monologues come from feature within the Black Plays Archive. Please note that, in some cases, these books have been set out by gender but these monologues can be performed by all actors.

Please note: the Black Plays Archive website links out to where students can access books within libraries near them via Jisc Library Hub Discover. Jisc Library Hub Discover brings together the catalogues of major UK and Irish libraries in a single search so students can discover where to source books and play texts throughout the UK’s National Libraries, including the British Library, university libraries and more.

The Oberon Book of Monologues for Black Actors (for Women)

The Oberon Book of Monologues for Black Actors (for Men)

Audition Speeches for Black, South Asian and Middle Eastern Actors : Monologues for Women

Audition Speeches for Black, South Asian and Middle Eastern actors : Monologues for Men

Great monologues aren’t just found in anthologies. Reading through play texts themselves can be a way to find monologues that will resonate with you – particularly in plays for solo performers. Below are a selection of contemporary solo performer plays from the Black Plays Archive, for actors of all genders.

•  Burgerz by Travis Alabanza 
• Overflow by Travis Alabanza
• The Sun, The Moon and The Stars by Dipo Baruwa-Etti
• For Black Boys Who… by Ryan Calais Cameron
• Typical By Ryan Calais Cameron
• Chewing Gum Dreams by Michaela Coel
• Sessions by Ifeyinwa Frederick
• Curious by Jasmine Lee-Jones
• Superhoe by Nicôle Lecky
• So Many Reasons by Racheal Ofori
• Pink Lemonade by Mika Onyx Johnson
• Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz by Nathan Queeley Dennis
• NO I.D. by Tatenda Shamiso
• Shedding a Skin by Amanda Wilkin

Discover more plays within the Production Catalogue of the Black Plays Archive.