Six FREE audition monologues for older women – and four for younger women

19 Comments

Here are six FREE monologues for women over 40 and four for younger women. The monologues range from one minute to four minutes in length.

They may be used by women anywhere, on the condition that you let me know when they are being used and in what context.

I’m always delighted to get any feedback and to hear from actors who are performing them.

Your feedback also helps inform and inspire me about what other topics might be useful for a monologue.

My aim is to fill a gap in the market, providing materials for women who are often under-represented in the theatre – particularly older women.

I also take commissions, so if you are an actor or a theatre company who would like me to write a monologue about a particular topic, please get in touch – jane.cafarella@gmail.com.

Also check out my FREE short plays, suitable for schools, community theatre or professional theatre groups. https://janecafarella.com.au/ten-minute-treats/

I wish you all the best in your acting endeavours and hope you enjoy performing my work. As we say in the Australian theatre scene: “Break a leg!”

Click on the links in the descriptions below to read each monologue.

  1. SNAPPED! (one minute) – ALLIE, 40s -50s, tells a police officer about her passion for photography
  2. THE HOUSE SITTER (two minutes) – LINDA, 40s to 60s, explains to a fellow dog walker, why she can’t accept an invitation for coffee.
  3. A SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON (three-and-a-half minutes) – RACHEL, 30s-40s, a new Sunday School teacher, tells her pastor about her lesson plan.
  4. SORRY (two minutes) – BARBARA, 30s- 40s, meets an old flame in a busy bar for a drink.
  5. HERE COME THE CASSEROLES (two-and-a-half minutes) – LOUISE, 40s to 60s, tells her friend Karen why she’s fed up with her adoring friends.
  6. QUITE A SENSATION (two minutes) – MARIE, 60-80s, explains to a police officer why she was out at 2am wearing a hoodie and carrying spray paint.
  7. THE TIDY GRAVE (one-and-a-half minutes) – MARY, 40s-80s – talks to her recently deceased husband.
  8. THE BUCKET LIST (three minutes) – HEATHER, 40s-60s, tells her therapist why she’s throwing away her bucket list.
  9. THE MIRROR (one minute) – KATHLEEN, 30s plus, reflects on her own visibility.
  10. MANHOOD (one-and-a-half minutes) – JESSICA, 20s plus, teaches her boyfriend the value of manhood.

ALSO, check out my Free Audition Monologues for Women over 40

These monologues are available for free. This is on the condition that you let me know you are using them, and in what context.

19 thoughts on “Six FREE audition monologues for older women – and four for younger women”

  1. carolinewillie

    Thank you so much for writing these fabulous monologues. I’m a Drama teacher at a high school (age 64) in N. Ireland and am part of a community theatre group (Ad Hoc) in Ballymena. I’m simply auditioning for a part of a VERY controlling mother (very unlike myself)- and I was actually drawn to the monologue you wrote on ‘The Right Time’ and ‘Advice to Young Lovers on Valentine’s Day’- though so far, I’ve loved everything you write! As this is a community theatre group and the director of the short play seems to prefer humour, I’ve chosen the second option on advice to young lovers. Trust you’re ok with me using this work- Ad Hoc is a non-profit community theatre group. All the best, Caroline Robeznieks-Drennan

    Reply
    • janecafarella

      Dear Caroline,
      I’m delighted to hear that you are finding my monologues useful. I have written them for exactly the purpose you describe. I have two full-length plays (e-baby – about surrogacy, and d-baby – about donor conception), that are fully licensed with agents, as well as a one-act comedy called Supersnout, but I make my short plays and monologues available for free to help women who are professional or amateur actors or students. I love hearing from actors, directors and students from all over the world. The only condition is that you let me know what you are using, and when and send any photos or feedback for my website. Please keep in touch to tell me how it went, and tell any other actors or directors you know about this resource. Kind regards, Jane (Apologies for late reply. It’s been a busy New Year!)

      Reply
  2. Penny M Lucas

    Hi Jane,
    I used to do a lot of community theatre in Spokane, WA, and over the years I get asked to perform readings and monologues at church. Now, I’m in my mid 70’s and have a hard time finding age and audience appropriate material for church events such as ladies spring and winter teas and luncheons. I was asked again this year to “do something” for the “Hats off to Spring” ladies tea. I’ve printed out your “Something Different”, “Flowers” and “Sweet Bird of Youth” as considerations. I like your work and I’ll mention you in the program as I’m quite sure I’ll find something by you. Penny Lucas

    Reply
    • janecafarella

      Thanks for your lovely comment, Penny. I’m so glad you found something suitable. Are you still in Spokane, WA? I have a little map where I pin where my work goes. Stay tuned for a new batch of monologues coming next week.

      Reply
  3. Kirsten Goodman

    I love every one of these pieces for “mature” women:) I will use these as audition pieces. It’s kind of hard for me to find monologues for women my age. These are perfect. I won’t be auditioning until fall so if this is not OK, please let me know. My email is kirstenlgoodman10@gmail.com. And thank you!

    Reply
  4. Briana

    Hi Jane! I’m a Theatre major at a small NC university, and I’m using “The Tidy Grave” for spring auditions. It’s so wonderful, and the perfect length. My audition is next Tuesday, wish me luck!

    Reply
    • janecafarella

      Thanks for letting me know, Briana. Good luck with it (or I should say “break a leg!”. Please let me know how you go. Whereabouts is your university? I keep a little online pin map to keep track of where my work goes.

      Reply
  5. Delyth

    Hello Jane, I’m an aspiring rather mature actor having retired from the police service after 30 years! I have an agents panel next week and I have chosen your lovely piece “Flowers” to present. It resonates with me given the power play exchange! Technical theft versus the moral and experiential high ground of a social worker. The audition is in Manchester, England but I live in Scotland. Thank you for this piece, I hope I do it justice!

    Reply
    • janecafarella

      Thank you for letting me know, Delyth. ‘Flowers’ is one of my popular monologue and is inspired by my sister, who was a social worker. No doubt your experience in the police force will be a big help. Please let me know how you go. I love to hear how the performances go. I appreciate all feedback regarding the work, too. Best wishes, Jane

      Reply
  6. Robin Fisher

    I’m 60+ looking for a way back to the stage after a career in opera — there never seemed to be enough time for a deeper dive into the stories about women making their way into the latter part of life. At least two of these monologues touch on this journey, and I appreciate that they are easily accessible. Thank you!

    Reply
    • janecafarella

      Hi Robin,
      Lovely to hear from you. I’m delighted that you’re using some of my monologues. Can you please let me know which ones? It helps me to know which ones resonate with actors.
      How exciting that you’ve had an opera career. My mother was a (frustrated) opera singer and I have a cousin who had a career in Europe – Dominic Natoli.
      Best of luck with your new venture.
      Kind regards,
      Jane

      Reply
  8. Debra Jean Walsh

    I am over 60 and still acting! I needed for fresh material to update my monologues for auditions. These are wonderful! Thank you!

    Reply
  9. Myrna

    Hello Jane
    I am a 67 year old actress in community theatre. Thank you so much for writing these monologues! I used “Flowers” in a class that I took. In a couple days, I’m going to use “Here Come the Casseroles” for an audition for our community dinner theater. I live in St Albert, Alberta.

    Reply

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