Snowman Versus Sun by Tara Meddaugh: New Children's Comedic monologue

February 10, 2021 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, blind casting, children, Children's theatre, comedic, gender neutral casting, inclusive casting, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, outdoor theater, winter, Christmas

My son recently gave me a writing prompt which has resulted in this wintery children’s monologue, Snowman Versus Sun. I also have to give him credit as he designed the monologue cover himself (his at-home-digital-design class with Mom: Canva!)

As the title indicates, the monologue is about that age-old problem: snowman v. sun. In this 1-minute free comedic monologue great for young kids, Titus takes on the sun directly himself. Do you think the sun will listen to him? He’s got a pretty big request…

Giving Back: Spotlight on Barbershop Books

February 04, 2021 by Tara Meddaugh in activism, children, Community, Education, family, giving back, social

From February through April, my Giving Back Initiative will support an impactful and innovative organization called Barbershop Books. A few months back, I heard a Ted Radio Hour, which spurred me to do a bit of research after the show (not terribly uncommon for the Ted Radio Hour!). This episode, School of Life, was about exploring “life lessons that teach us far more than any textbook.” Part three featured Alvin Irby, an educator, author, comedian and founder of the intuitive-upon-reflection, brilliantly modeled organization that captured me in an instant. Barbershop Books’ mission is this:

“Help Black boys ages 4-8 to identify as readers by connecting fun books to a male-centered space and by involving Black men in boys' early reading experiences.”

So how does Barbershop Books do this?

Irby came up with his idea, while watching one of his first-grade students in the Bronx squirm impatiently at a local barbershop. Irby kept wishing he’d had a book to lend the boy, which naturally led to the thought, someone should put books for kids at the barbershop… This idea, coupled with Irby’s impressive background in education and leadership, transformed into his nationally recognized organization.

Barbershop Books offers early literacy training to barbers while placing engaging children’s books into barbershops. Formerly antsy boys can read funny books while hanging at the barbershop! This may sound simple, but the thought behind it is well-researched and effective—which is why it’s so exciting and promising. Reading is power and when there is a stark reading gap among race or gender (see # 2 below), this inequity can follow these individuals for the rest of their lives. Barbershop Books is making progress to close the reading inequity gap, and in so doing, empower these boys for the rest of their lives. Here’s how:

Eiffel Tower Keychain by Tara Meddaugh: New dramatic children's monologue

January 12, 2021 by Tara Meddaugh in 30-second monologue, blind casting, children, dramatic, gender neutral casting, inclusive casting, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, tween

Cruelty continues to be a theme I explore in my work for adults, as well as for children and teens. It’s a theme that will always be examined in many mediums by many people—because, sadly, it happens from cradle to grave—from those with the least power to (quite dangerously) those with the most power.

While my writing often explores cruelty, more importantly, it explores those who experience cruelty and their journey to gain strength. This happens in outwardly large ways and it happens in seemingly small ways. Giving voice to those struggling against oppressors, whether this be from leaders, “frenemies,” manipulating criminals, or schoolyard bullies, is important because these voices are valuable, precious, and inspiring. They are the ones we need to hear.

In my short monologue, Eiffel Tower Keychain, Lindsey gains strength against her classroom bully. Lindsey’s father, who has moved and no longer lives with her, gave her a glass Eiffel Tower keychain, which now a bully has grabbed from her. Lindsey pleads with the taunting bully to give her back the keychain. At first she is meek, then she demands it back with the strength of deserved self-worth. This is a short dramatic monologue, only around 30 seconds in length, appropriate for children or tweens, gender-neutral.

Butterfly in the Tomato Plant by Tara Meddaugh: New 30-second children's dramatic monologue

January 08, 2021 by Tara Meddaugh in children, blind casting, dramatic, gender neutral casting, inclusive casting, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, pre-teen, tween, 30-second monologue, outdoor theater

If you’re looking for a short children’s monologue with a dramatic bent, consider my monologue, Butterfly in the Tomato Plant. It is a challenge to perform (or write) a monologue which shows arc and range in 30 seconds but rewarding to explore. In Butterfly in the Tomato Plant, Nicole observes an injured butterfly, bullied by the same children who had bullied her the previous day (they ripped her backpack and now they have ripped the butterfly’s wings). She reflects on her own desire to have wings and escape bullies, but then realizes the butterfly’s wings did not end up saving it. She decides to take the butterfly home to care for it in a windowsill plant she has been nurturing herself.

20 + Christmas Monologues

November 13, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, 5-minute play, blind casting, child monolog collection, children, Children's theatre, Christmas, comedic, comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic, dramatic monolog collecti, gender neutral casting, holiday, inclusive casting, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue by child, monologue for female acto, monologue written by chil, Monologues, monologues for male actor, pre-teen, Teen, teen monologue collection, tween

Check out these twenty (20)+ Christmas monologues below, plus a packet of additional Christmas monologues for children, extracted from my one-act play, Christmas Superpowers and Believing in Blitzen. These monologues range in length from 30 seconds to 5 minutes, great for video/zoom or in person, comedic or dramatic, kids, male, female. Enjoy, be well, and enjoy the extended holiday season! (*This list is always being updated, so check back for new additions!)

Christmas Kale by Tara Meddaugh: a 1-minute children's comedic monologue

November 10, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in blind casting, children, Children's theatre, Christmas, comedic, dramatic, gender neutral casting, holiday, inclusive casting, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, pre-teen, tween, 1-minute monologue

It’s Christmas morning and Sam has a problem. He is outraged that Santa has, yet again, given him oranges in his stocking, despite his previous complaints that he doesn’t like them. Since Santa has not heeded his requests, Sam devises a simple plan that will teach Santa a lesson.

Christmas Kale is a one-minute comedic children’s monologue, for an inclusive cast (not gender specific). It’s suitable for children or pre-teens.

Christmas Kale is from the one-act play, Christmas Superpowers and Believing in Blitzen.

Chat-n-Read Dramatic Read-Aloud of "Fly Guy and the Frankenfly" by Tedd Arnold

October 22, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in chat-n-read, children, Community, Education, family, Literary

If Creepy Carrots are not creepy enough for you, what about a FRANKENFLY?? Or, just, how about a fly who can talk at all?

Enjoy my latest Chat-n-Read where I pose the most thought-provoking question yet…

Would you share your chemistry set…with a FLY???

In Fly Guy and the Frankenfly by Tedd Arnold, Buzz makes all sorts of fun creations for him and his best bud, Fly Guy. Fly Guy wants to make something special for Buzz too. But what happens when Fly Guy’s creation gets a little out of hand?

Find out in this fun Halloween-appropriate read-aloud!

Children/Teen Monologue: Second-Hand Dirt by Tara Meddaugh

October 14, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in blind casting, children, Children's theatre, comedic, dramatic, gender neutral casting, inclusive casting, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, Teen, ten-minute plays, allegory, one-act plays, outdoor theater

In Sharing Soil (a 10-minute play within my longer vignette-style piece, Movements of the Wind), Carrot and Potato risk safety and rejection from their own garden cultures when they embark on a new friendship in the face of soil prejudices.

Carrot’s monologue, Second-Hand Dirt, from Sharing Soil, shows a moment of how hurt can be masked with scapegoating. Carrot has just been bullied by other carrots, even having her carrot tip bitten off by them. When Potato finds her crying, Carrot lashes out in misplaced anger toward the quizzical young vegetable. Potato does not stand for this, and Carrot shares how her attempts to be kind to other carrots have not been reciprocated, leading her to become “mean.”

Dramatic Halloween Read-Aloud from Chat-n-Read: Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown

October 05, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in children, comedic, Community, dark comedy, Drama in real life, dramatic, Education, family, holiday, Literary, social, Suspense

Of all the holidays, Halloween just might be the most dramatic! Anything can become spooky melodrama when you put on an eerie voice, add a bit of black-and-white illustration, and make inanimate objects start FOLLOWING YOU! Kids - enjoy this spooky and fun read-aloud from Chat-n-Read (one of my other adventures!) of Creepy Carrots written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown.

We’ll chat about what makes things creepy and then share the story of Jasper Rabbit and what happens to him when his favorite garden snack starts creeping him out! Make sure you stick around to the end, because it’s quite clever!

Now, say this in a spooky voice and wave your hands around all creepy-like: “Enjoooooooy!”

Jumping the Wind by Tara Meddaugh: 10-minute play for outdoor theater

October 02, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in children, Children's theatre, comedic, dark comedy, dramatic, gender neutral casting, one-act plays, outdoor theater, Plays, socially distant theater, Teen, ten-minute plays

Have you ever seen a play about pollen before? I’m not talking documentary-style. I’m talking about pieces of individual pollen, with their own hopes, dreams and fears. In my allegory, Jumping the Wind, you meet two pieces of pollen, Pollen V-6 and Pollen K-10. The flower on which Pollen V-6 and Pollen K-10 have lived their entire lives has wilted and is dying. If they do not make a dangerous jump to a fresh flower, Cat will destroy the flower and any remaining pollen that night. All other pollen have already made the jump to presumed safety, but Pollen V-6 has been too frightened to leave. She doubts the tales that anything better lies beyond. The leader, Pollen K-10, has remained behind with her, and has to decide how long he will stay to rally her before his own safety is in jeopardy. Jumping the Wind is a story of leaving the familiar, taking risks for the promise of something better. It’s the story of facts versus hope. And a story of friendship and trust.

Here are seven (7) reasons why Jumping the Wind is a memorable (and practical!) play to produce:

New dark comedy/Dramatic monologue: "What My Fangs Are For" by Tara Meddaugh

September 29, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in children, dark comedy, dramatic, gender neutral casting, Halloween, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, monologues for male actor, Monologues, mystical creatures, outdoor theater, Teen, ten-minute plays, thriller, Suspense

My new monologue, What My Fangs Are For, is the story of a werewolf child telling his mom about his first squirrel kill; it’s darkly humorous, a bit creepy, a bit dramatic. But…it’s also the story of a boy discovering a new identity, trying to make his mother proud, then worrying, with horror, that his new identity may drive her to not love him anymore.

Maybe the whole “eating a raw squirrel” part is not so relatable, but Sammy is not the only child (or adult) to have to reveal a part of their identity which they worry a loved one may not accept.

"The Thing About Mermaids" by Tara Meddaugh: New children's comedic 1-minute monologue

September 21, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in Children's theatre, comedic, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, gender neutral casting, children, mystical creatures, fairy tale, mermaids

Okay, so if you had to choose one mystical creature to be real, which would you choose? In my new monologue, The Thing About Mermaids, Riley encounters a real live mermaid…but is Riley excited by this discovery or does Riley think it’s a waste of a mystical creature?

Enjoy this free 45 second - 1 minute long comedic monologue for children, gender neutral casting. (For a dramatic 10-minute monologue play about mermaids, click here for Marsopa’s Tale).

Special thanks to Julian (and his mom), for inspiring this monologue!

Check out the excerpt below from, THE THING ABOUT MERMAIDS:

New Full Length Play: The Victory Garden Plays by Tara Meddaugh

August 20, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in children, comedic, Community, dramatic, family, Plays, Teen, ten-minute plays, full-length plays

How many of you decided that Pandemic 2020 would be the year you started your own edible garden? Whether it was in a luscious back yard, an upper story deck, or a window sill (friends and I started seeing how many vegetables we could grow in water jars from mere root cuts!), people all over seemed to be growing vegetation to eat like no other time in the 21st Century. In March, many of us found flour, bread and toilet paper impossible to purchase and there was a panic as we contemplated our food supply chain breaking. Growing our own produce seemed to offer stability, predictability, a tiny sense of control and perhaps even purpose during our unsettling time staying at home. (click below for continued post or click here for The Victory Garden Plays)

Dramatic Read-Aloud from Chat-n-Read: Goldilocks and The Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems

July 31, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in chat-n-read, children, Education, family, Reader's Theater

Check out my latest Chat-n-Read video where I read the fabulously funny, Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs, as “retold by” Mo Willems. And before our story together, we chat about dinosaurs! Our modern day world is full of toys, movies, tv shows, books, scientists all dedicated to dinosaurs! (Oh, and you get to see one super cool dino toy in my video: my son’s Jurassic Park RC dino that can do all sorts of things! Big thanks to my husband’s parents for that rockin’ toy!) But why are dinosaurs so fascinating to us? I think there are lots of reasons, but what stands out to you?

11 Great Dramatic Monologues for Children

July 27, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in child monolog collection, children, Children's theatre, dramatic, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, Reader's Theater, dramatic monolog collecti

Finding a dramatic children’s monologue that is thoughtful, relatable, and age-appropriate can be a challenge. Here, I’ve collected ten (10) dramatic children’s monologues for you that are unique, memorable and fun for kids to act. These monologues range from 30 seconds to around 2 minutes. From Goldilocks having second thoughts to Lindsey confronting a bully who took a precious souvenir to Jenna facing an angry sister and a floor of broken glass—enjoy these 10 monologues show which can showcase your child’s dramatic talent and range!

Thirteen (13) Great Comedic Children's Monologues Involving Child to Parent Confrontations

July 22, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in children, Children's theatre, comedic, monologue by child, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, monologue written by chil, Monologues, monologues for male actor, star wars, Reader's Theater, child monolog collection, comedy monolog collection

Is there anything more comically dramatic than a child breaking the bad news to his dad that he doesn’t want to be a Jedi? Or a daughter justifying to her mom why she should have a pet skunk? Okay…maybe a few things are a bit more dramatic, but emotions are emotions, and these clever children’s monologues are full of fun, clean drama, comedic timing and relatability. Muster up your passion for Animal Crossing, iPads and candy, and showcase your acting talent with these twelve (12) great comedic children’s monologues where a child confronts a parent. And definitely, have fun doing it!

New children's comedic monologue about Animal Crossing: Your Crucian Carps are Blocking the Doorway, Mom

July 20, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in children, comedic, Drama in real life, family, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, Video games

Okay, I’m not exactly a gamer, so my children were thrilled when I mentioned how Nintendo Switch’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons looked like a game I might be able to get into. A few adult friends shared how they were loving playing it and the idea of setting up my own paradise island amidst our pandemic quarantine near New York City sounded, well, pretty darn appealing. I wasn’t alone in that thought. Apparently, this game sold more than 13 million copies in the first 6 weeks after it was released in March. [Skip to my new comedic children’s monologue, Your Crucian Carps are Blocking the Doorway, Mom]

Honing your Acting skill: Monologues for actors under quarantine

May 06, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in children, comedic, Community, dark comedy, dramatic, Education, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, romance, social, Teen

For many of us during this global pandemic, our theaters are closed down, acting classes are held virtually and auditions are video or streaming-only. Theater is a communal art-form by nature, so without the physical community, this distancing can be counter-intuitive and disheartening. However, artists are also resilient and creative by nature, and it did not take long for theater folks to form groups where readings and performances were held online, and actors, in their own isolation, have dedicated unanticipated space to honing their craft during this time of furlough….