Monologues are powerful pieces of dialogue that showcase the acting range and emotional depth of female performers.
They are typically one to two minutes in length and provide an opportunity for actresses to demonstrate their skills in portraying a wide range of characters, emotions, and situations.
Monologues may be needed for auditions, acting workshops, or performances. They can be comedic or dramatic, and cover a wide range of topics, such as love, loss, betrayal, and self-discovery. They are ideal for actors who are just starting out or looking to add new material to their repertoire.
When choosing a monologue, it’s important to select a piece that resonates with you and allows you to showcase your unique talents and strengths. Look for monologues that have a clear emotional arc, dynamic character development, and a strong sense of conflict or tension. Practice your delivery, experiment with different interpretations, and don’t be afraid to take risks and make bold choices.
Below you will find some examples of monologues which will be required for auditions and may be a powerful tool for advancing your acting career.
Please also see:
How to Select an Acting Monologue for Your Audition
Shakespeare Monologues for Actors
Short dramatic female monologues:
2-minute dramatic monologues for female actors, along with some background:
“The Last Goodbye”
Background: A woman is speaking at the funeral of her best friend, who died tragically in a car accident.
“I can’t believe you’re gone. We were supposed to grow old together, to laugh and cry and share all the ups and downs of life. But now, you’re not here anymore. It’s not fair. You had so much to live for, so much to offer the world. And now, all we’re left with is the memories of what could have been. I’ll never forget you, my friend. I’ll carry you with me always, and I’ll make sure that your light shines on through me. This isn’t goodbye forever, it’s just goodbye for now.”
“The Weight of the World”
A woman is speaking to her therapist about the stress and pressure she feels in her daily life.
“It’s like I’m carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. Every day, there’s something new to worry about, something else to fix, something else to be responsible for. And I’m tired. I’m exhausted. I don’t know how much longer I can keep going like this. But at the same time, I don’t know how to stop. I don’t know how to let go of the things that I feel like I need to control. It’s like I’m trapped in a cycle of anxiety and stress, and I don’t know how to break free.”
“The Secret”
A woman is confessing to her friend about a dark secret from her past.
“I have to tell you something, and I’m afraid that once I do, you’ll never look at me the same way again. When I was younger, I did something terrible. Something that I can’t take back, that I can’t undo. I’ve been carrying this secret with me for so long, and it’s eating me alive. I know that I need to take responsibility for my actions, but I’m so scared of what will happen if I do. Will you still be my friend? Will you still care about me? I don’t know what to do.”
“The Breakup”
A woman is speaking to her ex-partner about the pain and heartbreak of their recent breakup.
“I thought that we had something real. Something that would last forever. But now, it’s over. And it hurts. It hurts so much. I miss you, I miss us, and I don’t know how to move on. You were my everything, and now you’re gone. How am I supposed to go on without you? How am I supposed to find happiness again? I thought that we would make it, that we would grow old together. But now, all I’m left with is the pain of what could have been.”
“The Abuse”
A woman is speaking to her friend about the physical and emotional abuse she has suffered in her relationship.
“I can’t keep pretending that everything is okay. I’m not okay. I’m scared, I’m hurt, and I don’t know what to do. He hurts me, and I don’t know how to make it stop. I thought that I could fix him, that I could make him love me. But now, I see that it’s not about love. It’s about control, about power, about him making me feel small and helpless. I don’t want to be a victim anymore. I don’t want to be afraid. I want to be strong, I want to be free, and I want to live a life
1 minute female acting monologues – dramatic:
“I Can’t Breathe”
I can’t breathe. Not just physically, but emotionally. It feels like I’m suffocating, like there’s a weight on my chest that I can’t shake off. I’m tired of pretending that everything is okay, when it’s not. I’m tired of putting on a brave face, when all I want to do is scream. I’m tired of carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, when I can barely carry myself. But I have to keep going, because that’s what’s expected of me. I have to keep pushing, keep fighting, keep trying, even when it feels like it’s all for nothing. Because maybe, just maybe, if I keep going, if I don’t give up, if I don’t let this pain consume me, I’ll be able to breathe again.
“The Final Straw”:
I’ve had enough. Enough of the lies, the excuses, the broken promises. I can’t take it anymore. I’ve tried to be patient, to be understanding, to be forgiving, but it’s all been for nothing. You keep pushing me away, keep hurting me, keep betraying me. And I’ve had enough. I deserve better than this. I deserve someone who will love me, respect me, and be there for me. Someone who won’t make me feel like I’m not enough. So this is it. This is the final straw. I’m done. I’m walking away, and I’m not looking back. It’s time for me to take control of my life, to find happiness, to find someone who will love me for who I am. Goodbye.
“I Am Not a Victim”
I refuse to be a victim. I refuse to let my past define me. Yes, I’ve been through hell and back. Yes, I’ve been hurt, abused, and broken. But I’m still here. I’m still standing. And I’m not going to let anyone or anything take that away from me. I’ve fought too hard, for too long, to give up now. I’ve learned to pick myself up, to dust myself off, and to keep going. And I will continue to do so, no matter how hard it gets, no matter how many obstacles I face. Because I am not a victim. I am a survivor. And I will not let anyone or anything take that away from me.
“The Last Time”
Do you remember the last time we were happy? I do. It was a warm summer evening, and we were sitting on the porch swing, listening to the crickets and watching the fireflies dance in the sky. We talked for hours, about everything and nothing, and we laughed until our sides hurt. I remember thinking, “This is it. This is what happiness feels like.” But that was the last time. After that, everything fell apart. We fought, we cried, we said things we didn’t mean. And now, here we are, on the brink of the end. I don’t know if we’ll ever be happy again. But I’ll always hold onto that last time, that one moment of pure joy, and hope that maybe, just maybe, we can find our way back to it.
“Broken Promises”
“I trusted you, believed in you, loved you. And what did you do? You broke every promise you ever made to me. You said you would always be there for me, but when I needed you the most, you were nowhere to be found. You said you would love me forever, but you left without a second thought. You said you would never hurt me, but you shattered my heart into a million pieces. And now, I’m left with nothing but the memories of what we had and the pain of what we lost. You don’t deserve my forgiveness, my understanding, or my love. You don’t deserve anything from me. You broke me, but I will not let you define me. I will heal, I will move on, and I will find someone who will keep their promises.”
Very short, about 30 to 45 seconds:
“The World is Ending”:
I can’t believe this is happening. Everything we know, everything we love, everything we’ve worked for is being destroyed. And for what? For nothing. We can’t stop it, we can’t change it, we can only watch it happen. It’s like being trapped in a nightmare. I’m scared, I’m angry, and I don’t know what to do.
“I Can’t Keep Pretending”:
I’ve been lying to myself for so long, pretending that everything is okay, that I’m happy, that I’m in control. But I’m not. I’m miserable, I’m lost, and I’m drowning. I can’t keep pretending anymore. I need to face the truth, no matter how painful it is. I need to take off the mask and show the world who I really am.
“The Price of Freedom”:
Freedom isn’t free. It comes with a cost. A cost that I’ve paid, that my ancestors have paid, that millions of people have paid throughout history. And yet, it seems like some people don’t understand that. They take it for granted, they abuse it, they try to take it away from others. But I won’t let them. I’ll fight for my freedom, for your freedom, for everyone’s freedom, no matter what it takes.
“The Weight of the World”:
Sometimes it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. Like I’m responsible for everything and everyone. Like if I make one wrong move, everything will come crashing down. It’s overwhelming, it’s suffocating, and it’s not fair. But I can’t give up, I can’t give in. I have to keep going, keep fighting, keep carrying this weight, because that’s what it means to be strong.