(Applause Acting Series). In 25 10-Minute Plays for Teens , young thespians in high school and middle school will find terrific plays by some of our most prominent playwrights, such as Don Nigro, Wendy MacLeod, Jeff Goode, Bekah Brunstetter, and Constance Congdon; and equally terrific plays by such exciting up-and-comers as Chad Beckim, C. S. Hanson, Merridith Allen, Sharyn Rothstein, and Kayla Cagan. The characters are teens, and the subject matter will be of interest to aspiring young actors, making it easy for them to connect with the characters and situations. Ideal for theater students, youth groups, and acting classes.

The theater of the 21st century, in many ways, is expanding to require new muscles of its actors, and so should their scene choices. Today, amid flourishing new play resources, it can be difficult to nail down contemporary scenes for two people. These scenes, all culled from plays written between 2000 and 2016, are useful to actors between the ages of 15 and 30. They range from about two to seven minutes' running time – appropriate for different classroom explorations – and are grouped by scenes for two males, two females, and one male and one female. Contemporary Scenes for Twentysomethings offers the opportunity for emerging actors to explore work by playwrights, both emerging and established, that is truly contemporary. Jessica Bashline, adjunct professor of acting at New York University, has assembled a comprehensive collection, featuring work written by Samuel D. Hunter, Liz Duffy Adams, Timothy Mason, Nina Raine, and many more. Every playwright in this book is currently writing. The characters included in this compilation come from a variety of backgrounds with different stories to tell, giving you the chance to explore those who are close to you and those who may come from someplace else. When perusing this book, look for scenes that instantly draw you. There is more than enough material to find something that speaks to you, and your passion for a piece will strengthen your final performance!

The theater of the 21st century, in many ways, is expanding to require new muscles of its actors, and so should their monologue choices. Contemporary Monologues for Twentysomethings is a compilation of monologues for actors ages 15 to 30, incorporating characters from a variety of backgrounds with different stories to tell, giving you the chance to explore those who are close to you and those who may come from someplace else. These monologues are compiled in order of length, with the shortest coming in a little under a minute and the longer pieces running closer to four minutes. All from plays written between 2000 and 2016, the monologues in this book are useful both for exploration in a classroom setting as well as for auditions. Jessica Bashline, adjunct professor of acting at New York University, has assembled a comprehensive collection, featuring work written by Neil LaBute, Sarah Ruhl, Zach Braff, Naomi Iizuka, and many more. Every playwright in this book is currently writing. Some of these plays have been produced on Broadway and some in tiny theaters in New York, Minneapolis, San Diego, or other cities around the country. This book offers a chance for emerging actors to explore work by playwrights, both emerging and established, that is truly contemporary.

(Applause Acting Series). In this thoughtfully curated collection, actors preparing for an audition or searching for quality scenes to hone their chops will find a wealth of contemporary material from American and British plays. Almost all of the works are from the year 2000 to the recent 2014 Broadway production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time , chosen from the point of view of a professional acting teacher, director, and casting director. Along with covering the basics of how to match the best monologue to the actor and how to approach the rehearsal and performance of a piece, the book provides a synopsis of the plays, character descriptions, and lists of questions specific to each monologue that will direct the actor toward shaping a complex, honest, and thoughtful performance with a strong emotional connection, a clear arc, and playable actions. There is also a brief lesson on appropriate rehearsal behavior and preparation.

The first and only book of its kind, this cutting-edge and incredibly hysterical monologue book is specifically for actors auditioning for LGBTQ roles. LGBTQ Comedic Monologues That Are Actually Funny features works by LGBT writers and comics (and their allies) who have written and/or performed for Comedy Central, Backstage magazine, NBC, the Huffington Post, the Onion, Second City, E!, and many more. This collection is the go-to source for the comedic monologue needs of actors seeking LGBT material, as well as a paean to LGBT characters and artists.

This cutting-edge, incredibly hysterical monologue book is specifically for teen girls who need the extra bang to land the perfect comedic role. Teen Girls' Comedic Monologues That Are Actually Funny features monologues by writers and comics who have written and/or performed for Comedy Central, Backstage magazine, NBC, Huffington Post, The Onion, Second City, E!, and many more. This book is the answer to the comedic monologue needs of teen girls everywhere!

(Applause Acting Series). Lawrence Harbison has selected 100 terrific monologues for men from contemporary plays, all by characters between the ages of 18 and 35 perfect for auditions or class. There are comic monologues (laughs) and dramatic monologues (no laughs). Most have a compelling present-tense action for actors to perform. A few are story monologues and they're great stories. Actors will find pieces by star playwrights such as Don Nigro, Itamar Moses, Stephen Adly Guirgis, and Terence McNally; by exciting up-and-comers such as Nicole Pandolfo, Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, Crystal Skillman, Greg Kalleres, Reina Hardy, and J. Thalia Cunningham; and information on getting the complete text of each play. This is a must-have resource in the arsenal of every aspiring actor hoping to knock 'em dead with his contemporary piece after bowling over teachers and casting directors alike with a classical excerpt.

Bones of Home and Other Plays weaves the splendor and decay of New Orleans with its past and present and then spirals out from its New Orleans center like delicate threads of a web. This collection of plays brings a broad range of writing styles with contemporary and historical plays. The contemporary plays spring forth from the questions of our times: How does the downward economy change family dynamics? How can uncontrollable crime bring people together? How does our penchant for youth at all costs influence friendships? How can a lonely soul find strength within? The historic plays complicated by Louisiana lore offer a look at what remains the same and what has changed through the years. The historic plays resonate with struggles we continue to confront today, amid themes of race, gender, and power. Donaghy embraces her characters lives, complicated by choices between disparate worlds, with care and a hunger to explore. Her characters choices are about good and evil, hope and loss, faith and doubt and often involve a search for the meaning of home.

(Applause Acting Series). Lawrence Harbison has selected 100 terrific monologues for women from contemporary plays, all by characters between the ages of 18 and 35 perfect for auditions or class. There are comic monologues (laughs) and dramatic monologues (no laughs). Most have a compelling present-tense action for actors to perform. A few are story monologues and they're great stories. Actors will find pieces by star playwrights such as Don Nigro, Itamar Moses, Adam Bock, and Jane Martin; by exciting up-and-comers such as Nicole Pandolfo, Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, Crystal Skillman, Greg Kalleres, and Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig; and information on getting the complete text of each play. This is a must-have resource in the arsenal of every aspiring actor hoping to knock 'em dead with her contemporary piece after bowling over teachers and casting directors alike with a classical excerpt.