100 Monologues is a project where I’m writing monologue scripts, performing, and filming the pieces. Since I’m beginning to dabble in acting, the project is meant as a means for me to acquire more acting experience where I can work on refining my craft. You can find out more about the project here. Below is the script from the “The Artist’s Life is a Hard Life” monologue. The script isn’t exact to my performance above, but my performance is based on it. If you’re a student who would like to perform this monologue for class, just make sure you credit me, Maggie Coyle, as the author. For any other use of the script, please contact me.

100 Monologues: #5 The Artist’s Life is a Hard Life

Written by Maggie Coyle

The moment I decided to become an artist was the exact same moment the entire world decided to tell me this was a horrible, terrible idea.

“I’m an artist,” I’d say to my friends and family with such enthusiasm. Their response? They roll their eyes, sigh, and tell me that I’m out of my mind. They tell me I won’t amount to much of anything because no one really cares for artists. Who needs artists when there’s cheap, easy to buy prints readily available at cheap retail stores? Who needs artists when everyone wants to spend money on electronic gadgets and expensive cruises for vacation?

Right after I labeled myself an artist, society seemed to reject me. They suddenly had a platform and I was their target audience.

How do they expect me to react? They tell me I’ll never be successful, that I’m crazy, unrealistic, and need to get my head out of the clouds. Do they think I’ll suddenly shake their hand and thank them profusely for finally opening my eyes up to what a no good loser I’ve been for trying to pursue something so meaningless and pointless? Honestly – if I told them I was going to be a doctor, scientist, or lawyer, I feel like they’d beam and nod in agreement that without a doubt I’ll do great things. How rude. Really.

Don’t they know this world would be a hopeless bore without art? We wouldn’t have movies and music to entertain us. We wouldn’t have lovely artwork decorating our houses, and famous art to visit in museums. We wouldn’t have dance. The arts give meaning to life.

So what do I have to say to all the doubters? Good day! There’s nothing else to really say to them – I can’t really change what they believe. They’re going to believe what they’re going to believe. The only way I can sway them is by accomplishing great things as an artist. Through my successes, I’ll prove them wrong.