Preparing a monologue

genghisfawn · 03-04-2012, 01:15 PM

Right, so...

In 2005, I was involved in my university's production of The Vagina Monologues. For people who know the VM, I was chosen to give "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy"... also known as "the moaning one". For someone who is relatively reserved, it was a stretch for me, but I enjoyed it.

Fast forward 7 years... I've been asked to perform it again for another university event. This weekend. Gack.

I don't know how I learned it all before, but now I'm beginning to panic. Granted, we had 6 weeks of preparation last time. This isn't like a presentation or speech, and it's not like giving a recital, and I'm not an actress. Are there any dramatic sorts out there who can give me some tips on how to cram this thing into my brain in record time, please? Any help would be welcome!

Sparkle · 03-04-2012, 01:39 PM

Sadly, there is no magic trick for memorization...its recitation recitation recitation recitation. over and over and over again, and then 100 times more.

Read it aloud, devoid of tone or intonation or dramatic phrasing or emotion. Read it aloud over and over and over until you can start to recite it (bit by bit) without having to look.

I would often make a short list of words that represented the main idea/thought of a particular paragraph or portion of the monologue and use it as a cheat sheet. ex: taxi, sister, broken shoe, bridge

Find a helper, a friend or colleague, that will listen and read along - prompting you when you need it.

My advice is memorize first, once you know the words it will be easy to find yourself in the words (your thoughts and feelings about the words) and deliver it in a way that is genuine.

Good writing (like TVM) is good because it captures some "truth" (in experience or feeling or thought) that we all recognize; good acting is expressing that truth in a way that is honest/genuine.

The good news is that because you've learned it before, it will likely come flooding back. And because you've performed this piece before you'll likely have some sense memory of how it felt when you performed it - and that will come back to you too.

Memorize your lines and then just be yourself and enjoy the experience!

Turtle · 03-04-2012, 02:18 PM

Like above, and read out loud, adding your chosen emotion, volume, passion, etc - and create your own story/movie in your mind to make it your own. Get up on your feet, act it out, FEEL it, make it yours...

and write some cues on your arm just in case ;-)

UofMfan · 03-04-2012, 02:37 PM

I have absolutely no useful advice to give you. I am here to wish you good luck.

Gemme · 03-04-2012, 07:20 PM

I just followed UofM in here.

Good luck and I have to repeat what was said before about memorization.

Ha.

genghisfawn · 03-04-2012, 08:24 PM

Folks, thanks for your help and well wishes.

This is a bit of a departure for me, but I'm really excited about it.

The_Lady_Snow · 03-04-2012, 08:29 PM

I followed Gemme who followed UofManyStalkers, and I think it's AWESOME!!

Good luck!!

PaPa · 03-04-2012, 08:31 PM

I guess I am a follower of the others and think it is awesome too! So go break a leg!!

girl_dee · 03-04-2012, 08:32 PM

they say if you sing something in your head you will remember it,

GOOD luck!!!!

boobookitty · 03-08-2012, 09:16 AM

for some people forming images .. a cartoon show of sorts... can trigger memory and allow for long list of info to be recited... thats what the super mega memory gurus teach others to do.

Fancy · 03-08-2012, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparkle

Sadly, there is no magic trick for memorization...its recitation recitation recitation recitation. over and over and over again, and then 100 times more.

Read it aloud, devoid of tone or intonation or dramatic phrasing or emotion. Read it aloud over and over and over until you can start to recite it (bit by bit) without having to look.

I would often make a short list of words that represented the main idea/thought of a particular paragraph or portion of the monologue and use it as a cheat sheet. ex: taxi, sister, broken shoe, bridge

Find a helper, a friend or colleague, that will listen and read along - prompting you when you need it.

My advice is memorize first, once you know the words it will be easy to find yourself in the words (your thoughts and feelings about the words) and deliver it in a way that is genuine.

Good writing (like TVM) is good because it captures some "truth" (in experience or feeling or thought) that we all recognize; good acting is expressing that truth in a way that is honest/genuine.

The good news is that because you've learned it before, it will likely come flooding back. And because you've performed this piece before you'll likely have some sense memory of how it felt when you performed it - and that will come back to you too.

Memorize your lines and then just be yourself and enjoy the experience!

This is my second year performing in the local Vagina Monologues events. I want to echo Sparkle's words above. Repetition above all else! Are you allowed to have a note card on stage? If so, that helps - not to read it verbatim - but as a cue and security blanket.

Break a leg and have the time of your life!

macele · 03-08-2012, 10:47 AM

i'm thinking about the movie "working girl". you know where tess is riding the stationary bike, ... listening to katherine on the tape recorder.

word association for the parts you seem to forget.

if we really know the material, when we forget things, we can work through. may not get full credit lol, ... but something will come to mind to help us. know what you are "teaching".

i think it's better to just break it down as much as you can. then if it comes to having to cram, ... continue breaking it down lol.

good luck, genghisfawn. you'll do great!

LaneyDoll · 03-08-2012, 11:06 AM

I had a friend once who studied for her college exams by recording the notes onto a file that she then transferred onto her Ipod. Then, she listened to her notes everywhere she could.

I bet if you are able to listen to a recording as you sleep, it will help you retain it all.

deedarino · 03-11-2012, 03:26 PM

Memorization is repetition; the more ways you can find to stuff it in the better. Reading, listening, creating pictures...all the previous ideas are great!

Also work on stress reduction because once fight or flight kicks in, the memory suffers. Drink lots of water and practice deep breathing now. I found the best trick (from you tube) to help get the breaths just right: form your mouth into a circle as if you are going to whistle but more open. Breathe in and out that way. The air goes straight to the bottom of the lungs which will begin to reverse the stress reaction.

Break a Leg!!!

03-04-2012, 01:15 PM	#1
genghisfawn Member How Do You Identify?: Femme/Gentlewoman Preferred Pronoun?: She/her Relationship Status: Happily married 05/17/14 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 561 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,056 Thanked 2,157 Times in 403 Posts Rep Power: 21474849	Preparing a monologue Right, so... In 2005, I was involved in my university's production of The Vagina Monologues. For people who know the VM, I was chosen to give "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy"... also known as "the moaning one". For someone who is relatively reserved, it was a stretch for me, but I enjoyed it. Fast forward 7 years... I've been asked to perform it again for another university event. This weekend. Gack. I don't know how I learned it all before, but now I'm beginning to panic. Granted, we had 6 weeks of preparation last time. This isn't like a presentation or speech, and it's not like giving a recital, and I'm not an actress. Are there any dramatic sorts out there who can give me some tips on how to cram this thing into my brain in record time, please? Any help would be welcome!

03-04-2012, 01:39 PM	#2
Sparkle Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, please Relationship Status: Loved Up Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western MA Posts: 2,183 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,001 Thanked 6,591 Times in 1,556 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Sadly, there is no magic trick for memorization...its recitation recitation recitation recitation. over and over and over again, and then 100 times more. Read it aloud, devoid of tone or intonation or dramatic phrasing or emotion. Read it aloud over and over and over until you can start to recite it (bit by bit) without having to look. I would often make a short list of words that represented the main idea/thought of a particular paragraph or portion of the monologue and use it as a cheat sheet. ex: taxi, sister, broken shoe, bridge Find a helper, a friend or colleague, that will listen and read along - prompting you when you need it. My advice is memorize first, once you know the words it will be easy to find yourself in the words (your thoughts and feelings about the words) and deliver it in a way that is genuine. Good writing (like TVM) is good because it captures some "truth" (in experience or feeling or thought) that we all recognize; good acting is expressing that truth in a way that is honest/genuine. The good news is that because you've learned it before, it will likely come flooding back. And because you've performed this piece before you'll likely have some sense memory of how it felt when you performed it - and that will come back to you too. Memorize your lines and then just be yourself and enjoy the experience! __________________ I am made of stars

03-04-2012, 07:20 PM	#5
Gemme Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Queer Stone Femme Girl of the Unicorn Variety Preferred Pronoun?: She, as in 'She's a GEM' Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The roads are narrow here Posts: 36,631 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 182,485 Thanked 108,779 Times in 25,691 Posts Rep Power: 21474887	I just followed UofM in here. Good luck and I have to repeat what was said before about memorization. Ha. __________________ Gemme's Journal I'm misunderestimated.

03-04-2012, 08:29 PM	#7
The_Lady_Snow MILLION $$$ PUSSY How Do You Identify?: Kinky, Raw, Perverted, Uber Queer Alpha Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Iconic Ms. Relationship Status: Keeper of 3, only one has the map to my freckles Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: La Reina del Sur Posts: 22,488 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 32,231 Thanked 80,111 Times in 15,673 Posts Rep Power: 21474873	Good luck I followed Gemme who followed UofManyStalkers, and I think it's AWESOME!! Good luck!! __________________ "If you’re going to play these dirty games of ours, then you might as well indulge completely. It’s all about turning back into an animal and that’s the beauty of it. Place your guilt on the sidewalk and take a blow torch to it (guilt is usually worthless anyway). Be perverted, be filthy, do things that mannered people shouldn’t do. If you’re going to be gross then go for it and don’t wimp out."---Master Aiden

03-08-2012, 09:16 AM	#10
boobookitty Member How Do You Identify?: I like the tag Lipstick Stone Butch Preferred Pronoun?: not picky, but male pronouns are soothing to the psyche Relationship Status: not looking for more than friends Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: central USA Posts: 119 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 70 Thanked 215 Times in 59 Posts Rep Power: 1451774	for some people forming images .. a cartoon show of sorts... can trigger memory and allow for long list of info to be recited... thats what the super mega memory gurus teach others to do. __________________ [I]LOL...yeah, I'm a cisgender heterosexual male crossdresser trapped in a womans body. [/I]:sunglass:

03-04-2012, 02:18 PM	#3
Turtle Senior Member How Do You Identify?: A mixity Preferred Pronoun?: whatever Relationship Status: chillin Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: in a really really cute little place Posts: 2,144 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,442 Thanked 4,531 Times in 1,222 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Like above, and read out loud, adding your chosen emotion, volume, passion, etc - and create your own story/movie in your mind to make it your own. Get up on your feet, act it out, FEEL it, make it yours... and write some cues on your arm just in case ;-)

03-04-2012, 02:37 PM	#4
UofMfan Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: A very happy Mr. Grumpy Cat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Neither here or there Posts: 7,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 27,733 Thanked 18,935 Times in 4,705 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	I have absolutely no useful advice to give you. I am here to wish you good luck.

03-04-2012, 08:24 PM	#6
genghisfawn Member How Do You Identify?: Femme/Gentlewoman Preferred Pronoun?: She/her Relationship Status: Happily married 05/17/14 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 561 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,056 Thanked 2,157 Times in 403 Posts Rep Power: 21474849	Folks, thanks for your help and well wishes. This is a bit of a departure for me, but I'm really excited about it.

03-04-2012, 08:31 PM	#8
PaPa Senior Member How Do You Identify?: GQ Butch Daddy Relationship Status: A Very Protective BIG Daddy... Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,657 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 7,597 Thanked 5,873 Times in 1,530 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	I guess I am a follower of the others and think it is awesome too! So go break a leg!!

03-04-2012, 08:32 PM	#9
girl_dee Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: dee Relationship Status: Hitched up Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Livin’ the Dream Posts: 24,079 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 30,560 Thanked 54,941 Times in 13,921 Posts Rep Power: 21474873	they say if you sing something in your head you will remember it, GOOD luck!!!!

03-08-2012, 10:47 AM	#12
macele Member How Do You Identify?: a bold-assed maximus Preferred Pronoun?: she Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: mississippi Posts: 1,066 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,178 Thanked 3,235 Times in 849 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	i'm thinking about the movie "working girl". you know where tess is riding the stationary bike, ... listening to katherine on the tape recorder. word association for the parts you seem to forget. if we really know the material, when we forget things, we can work through. may not get full credit lol, ... but something will come to mind to help us. know what you are "teaching". i think it's better to just break it down as much as you can. then if it comes to having to cram, ... continue breaking it down lol. good luck, genghisfawn. you'll do great!

03-08-2012, 11:06 AM	#13
LaneyDoll Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Girly girl femme Preferred Pronoun?: She; Ma'am; Miss ;) Relationship Status: Pitbull protected. Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,204 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,892 Thanked 7,685 Times in 1,608 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	I had a friend once who studied for her college exams by recording the notes onto a file that she then transferred onto her Ipod. Then, she listened to her notes everywhere she could. I bet if you are able to listen to a recording as you sleep, it will help you retain it all. __________________ There are beauties who stop traffic and then there are beauties who grow obsessively in the hearts of the susceptible.

03-11-2012, 03:26 PM	#14
deedarino Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Woman Relationship Status: In recovery. Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 632 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,518 Thanked 1,955 Times in 496 Posts Rep Power: 21474849	Memorization is repetition; the more ways you can find to stuff it in the better. Reading, listening, creating pictures...all the previous ideas are great! Also work on stress reduction because once fight or flight kicks in, the memory suffers. Drink lots of water and practice deep breathing now. I found the best trick (from you tube) to help get the breaths just right: form your mouth into a circle as if you are going to whistle but more open. Breathe in and out that way. The air goes straight to the bottom of the lungs which will begin to reverse the stress reaction. Break a Leg!!! __________________ Squint your eyes and look closer. I'm not between you and your ambitions. I am a poster girl with no poster. I am thirty-two flavors and then some. And I'm beyond your peripheral vision, so you might want to turn your head~Ani I want to think again of dangerous and noble things; I want to be light and frolicsome; I want to be improbable, beautiful and afraid of nothing as if I had wings Mary Oliver

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