Please note -this is for my book - 30 Monologues Under 30 Seconds This monologue is - for female -50s from 1884- .
All the monologues for this book have been timed - but your performance will determine the length. Usually between 30 seconds and one minute is acceptable for auditions preferring shorter monologues. Use a stopwatch for good results - video for even better. Good luck!
Original script - Tonight, the 30-second version is below the original here.
The True Cost
(from THE THIRD PARTY (c) 1984
A monologue by Janet S. Tiger © all rights reserved
tigerteam1@gmail.com
(Belva is a woman in her 50s, back in 1884. She is striking and impressive, but now she is in pain, trying to understand what just happened between herself and a friend, Susan B. Anthony. She is speaking to her campaign manager, Mr. Adams)
It's all right, Mr, Adams, I was just thinking how little money has to do with what anything costs.
All through my life, whenever there has been a success, there has also been pain - one growing from the other in a way I could not see at the time, but can view now from the vantage of years.
When Uriah, my first husband, died, I was forced to find out how to earn a living so that I could support Lura and myself. When I became a teacher, I discovered that men earned twice what women did, which got me involved with trying to change laws.
After I moved to Washington and Married Ezekial, I faced many difficulties in trying to obtain a law degree, but the worst was when my baby died. And then, while fighting to obtain the right to be the first woman to practice before the Supreme Court.... Ezekial died.....
Each loss was part of each gain, part of the price one pays to get something worth having....
(Looks around the train station)
When I started this campaign, I looked at my life....my daughter and son-in-law are well, and my grandchildren are thriving. My law practice is profitable, and I have my health....so I have wondered through all of this....what would be the true cost of this campaign......(Takes a deep breath) Now I think I see.....and....in some ways....it is harder to lose....a friend.....
It's all right, Mr, Adams, I was just thinking how little money has to do with what anything costs.
All through my life, whenever there has been a success, there has also been pain - one growing from the other in a way I could not see at the time, but can view now from the vantage of years.
When Uriah, my first husband, died, I was forced to find out how to earn a living so that I could support Lura and myself. When I became a teacher, I discovered that men earned twice what women did, which got me involved with trying to change laws.
After I moved to Washington and Married Ezekial, I faced many difficulties in trying to obtain a law degree, but the worst was when my baby died. And then, while fighting to obtain the right to be the first woman to practice before the Supreme Court.... Ezekial died.....
Each loss was part of each gain, part of the price one pays to get something worth having....
(Looks around the train station)
When I started this campaign, I looked at my life....my daughter and son-in-law are well, and my grandchildren are thriving. My law practice is profitable, and I have my health....so I have wondered through all of this....what would be the true cost of this campaign......(Takes a deep breath) Now I think I see.....and....in some ways....it is harder to lose....a friend.....
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30ish- second version-
The True Cost
(from THE THIRD PARTY (c) 1984
A monologue by Janet S. Tiger © all rights reserved
(from THE THIRD PARTY (c) 1984
A monologue by Janet S. Tiger © all rights reserved
tigerteam1@gmail.com
(Belva is a woman in her 50s, back in 1884. She is striking and impressive, but now she is in pain, trying to understand what just happened between herself and a friend, Susan B. Anthony. She is speaking to her campaign manager, Mr. Adams, waiting for a train)
All through my life, whenever there has been a success, there has also been pain -
When my first husband died, I had to earn a living so I could support my daughter. As a teacher, I discovered men earned twice what women did, which got me involved with trying to change laws.
After I moved to Washington and married Ezekial, I faced many difficulties trying to obtain a law degree, but the worst was when my baby died. And then, while fighting to obtain the right to be the first woman to practice before the Supreme Court.... Ezekial died.....
Each loss was part of each gain, part of the price one pays to get something worth having....
(Looks around the train station)
When I started this campaign, I looked at my life...all is well.... ...so I have wondered ....what would be the true cost ...(Takes a deep breath) Now I think I see.....and....in some ways....it is harder to lose....a friend.....
--------------------------------------
For more info on Belva Lockwood - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belva_Ann_Lockwood
All through my life, whenever there has been a success, there has also been pain -
When my first husband died, I had to earn a living so I could support my daughter. As a teacher, I discovered men earned twice what women did, which got me involved with trying to change laws.
After I moved to Washington and married Ezekial, I faced many difficulties trying to obtain a law degree, but the worst was when my baby died. And then, while fighting to obtain the right to be the first woman to practice before the Supreme Court.... Ezekial died.....
Each loss was part of each gain, part of the price one pays to get something worth having....
(Looks around the train station)
When I started this campaign, I looked at my life...all is well.... ...so I have wondered ....what would be the true cost ...(Takes a deep breath) Now I think I see.....and....in some ways....it is harder to lose....a friend.....
--------------------------------------
For more info on Belva Lockwood - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belva_Ann_Lockwood
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* Note: A few words about 'free' - all these monologues are protected under copyright law and are free to read, free to perform and video as long as no money is charged. Once you charge admission or a donation, or include my work in an anthology, you need to contact me for royalty info.
Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315
JanetSTigerMonologueMania.blogspot.com
JanetSTigerMonologueMania.blogspot.com
Member Dramatists Guild since 1983
Playwright-in-Residence
Swedenborg Hall 2006-8--------------------------------------------------------------
* Note: A few words about 'free' - all these monologues are protected under copyright law and are free to read, free to perform and video as long as no money is charged. Once you charge admission or a donation, or include my work in an anthology, you need to contact me for royalty info.
1 comment:
Powerful stuff.
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