Watch Toni Brooks, in London, perform Peachy, a 90-second monologue available on this site. Thank you very much Toni, for posting this wonderful performance of Peachy on your Spotlight profile page.
Creativity is alive and well in many places around the world, despite the current political turmoil.
As has happened throughout history, in difficult times, people turn to the arts for solace and inspiration.
As a writer, it’s the way I make sense of the world – which is always much more fun when you are collaborating with fellow artists.
Since I made my short plays and monologues free just over two years ago, I’ve had the privilege of hearing from and working with artists in 130 locations around the world – mostly the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
I’m especially grateful to all the artists – directors, actors and other creatives – who are currently using my plays and monologues to create their own shows, or for auditions, reels and showcases.
It always amazes me to hear how artists add their skills and ideas to create something special and new – such as the brand new show A Stitch in Time, created by USA director Theresa Puskar for the Theater of Western Springs in Chicago for the Director’s Spring Workshop.
The show will premiere this weekend (28-30 March 2025) at the TWS Cattell Theatre, with shows on Friday and Saturday at 8pm, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Sunday.
For reservations:
A Stitch in Time Monologue show in Chicago, USA
The show features 12 of my monologues in a show that celebrates the experiences of women at all stages of life.
It’s been very exciting working via Zoom with Theresa, an experienced director, and meeting the talented and dedicated cast.
I’ve produced shows myself, so I know how work and courage goes into them. I’m also very excited to have a show at the Theater of Western Springs, which is highly respected.
At the same time, I’ve been lucky enough to work with Chris Hicks and her enthusiastic team of actors, The Narrators, more than 1000 miles (nearly 2000 km) south of Western Springs, Chicago, at Central Florida Community Arts in Orlando, Florida.
Chris and The Narrators, will also present a new show – On the Fly – Adventures in the Unknown – on April 5 2025, comprising improv/monologues and short plays, featuring five of my monologues, including Flowers, Quite a Sensation, Just a Minute and Taking the Plunge, written especially for this show. Many thanks to Sara Breitfelder for the fabulous photos.
https://cfcarts.com/series/on-the-fly-adventures-in-the-unknown/
Working with Theresa and Chris has been a highlight of my year so far – along with receiving a video of a beautiful interpretation of my monologue Sweet Bird of Youth from USA actor in Amsterdam Sabrina Culver. (See video below) along with the video (above) from London actress Toni Brooks of her wonderful performance of my monologue Peachy.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0191747/?ref_=ls_t_1
It’s been a busy start to the year, with lots of projects, including the 11th production of my most popular 10-minute play Members Only, and the seventh production of my one-act comedy Supersnout.
Here’s the full list of this year’s projects so far:
Current projects
Western Springs, Chicago, The Theatre of Western Springs, presents the premiere of A Stitch in Time, featuring 12 monologues, directed by Theresa Puskar.
https://theatreofwesternsprings.com/on-stage/17270/
Orlando, Florida USA, Central Florida Community Arts, The Narrators present On the Fly – Adventures in the Unknown on April 5 2025, comprising improv/monologues and short plays, and featuring five monologues, including Taking the Plunge, Flowers, Quite a Sensation and Just a Minute – April 5 2025
https://cfcarts.com/series/on-the-fly-adventures-in-the-unknown/
Bingara, NSW: North West Theatre Company performs Supersnout, a one-act comedy about a talking dog, 19-27 April, Roxy Theatre, Maitland St, Bingara, NSW.
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1349196
Connecticut, USA: Theatre 308, Darien High School presents Oliver With a Twist, 10-mintue Dickens-inspired sizzling satire about our modern food culture, in May (date TBA). https://www.theatre308.org/aboutus
Salem, Oregon, North Salem High School presents Members Only, about a woman (recently deceased) who arrives at the Pearly Gates without the password with three performances in April (date TBA).
The photo above is of the performance of Members Only at Virginia Wesleyan University in the USA, directed by Erin Andrews, with Julia Logue playing Karen, Pauly Bolt playing the Concierge, and Lucas Gordon (not pictured) playing Gabriel.
https://north.salkeiz.k12.or.us/academics/performing-arts
Amsterdam, Netherlands, USA actress Sabrina Culver, performed and recorded Sweet Bird of Youth, a poem/monologue about ageing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHElZbLIU36/?hl=en
London, UK, actress Toni Brooks recorded Peachy, a monologue about a woman who refuses to leave her marriage.
https://app.spotlight.com/6775-9088-7507
There are also many actresses currently using individual monologues for auditions, reels and showcases in various locations around the world, including an audition for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
More than 60 FREE monologues
I hope this will encourage and inspire you to have a rummage through my site.
If you’re an older female actor or a young emerging actor, you’ll find more than 60 contemporary and relevant monologues. If you’re a young theatre major or director, you’ll find lots of short FREE short plays.
Most of the monologues on this site are stand-alone monologues, with a few from my published plays e-baby, d-baby and Uked! The first play along musical, featuring strong roles for women of all ages, with a particular focus on older women.
My aim is to encourage female actors of all ages who are emerging or re-emerging and who want monologues that reflect their own life experiences.
As Chris Hicks said when she first contacted me:
“I am always looking for material that respects our age and experiences. I’m so tired of ‘cute’ plays that take place in nursing homes, featuring at least 10 jokes about incontinence and not driving at night. Thanks for writing for who we really are.”
Check out the monologues here.
The monologues are available for use for FREE on the condition that I am credited in full, there are no edits without my permission, and that you email me at jane.cafarella@gmail.com to let me know your location how and when they’ll be used, and provide any photos and feedback about your performance, where possible.
Your feedback helps me to improve my work and lets me know which monologues resonate the most.
To celebrate a great start to the year, here are three new monologues to add to the collection. Please let me know what you think!
- ENOUGH – Elise, 40 plus, tells her husband a secret
- MIDNIGHT – Frieda, any age, arrives at a friend’s place in search of emergency housing
- A FINAL ACT OF KINDNESS – Alex, any age, confronts her abuser
While I believe all artists should be paid for their work, I have other work that is licensed with agents and for which I receive royalties, and so can afford to make these shorter works available for free as a service to women just like you.
I’m also available to write something especially for you if you can’t find something here.
I keep a little pinmap to keep track of where my work goes