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 “Not Unreasonable” 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: #20 Not Unreasonable

I’m not trying to be unreasonable. I’m trying to be as reasonable as possible. Only the problem is, it’s too easy to lose your head over things that don’t really matter. You know, at the time they seem to be the only things that matter. Like getting into college. I spent so many hours obsessing over grades, being a perfectionist. I was worried about getting into a good school. It turns out I don’t do well with multiple choice. Ever. Give me multiple choices, and chances are I’ll pick the wrong answer. Sometimes you can’t be right, no matter what.

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 “Unexpected Inventor” 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: #19 Unexpected Inventor

The way I saw it, no one thought I’d ever make something of myself. They assumed I was destined for nothing. That I’d just be another face in the crowd. Live another average life. Have an average house and insignificant job. Become an average housewife and pass on my average genes by having average kids. They had no idea I’d rise above my supposed “predestined” life. That I’d find a drive to become something else. That I’d live and breathe science and inventions. That I’d make things. That I could make a living making things. That people would actually buy my inventions. No doubt in my mind that everyone couldn’t believe their ears when they heard what I was doing.

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 “Talking In My Sleep” 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 #18: Talking In My Sleep

I have this perpetual problem with talking in my sleep. I’ve been told I usually string together nonsensical words or babble on in a language of my own invention. Sometimes I yell out words or phrases.

I’ve always had this fear of telling the world my secrets while I’m asleep. Not being able to control what I say, bugs me. It’s odd that when my mind is taking a break, resting, I subconsciously continue talking. I’m powerless to control it.

And the thing is, I have no way of knowing what I say. All I can do is rely on the word of boyfriends or roommates. They can easily lie to me about what I’ve said…for all I know, I’ve already met my greatest fear…and told them all my secrets.

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 Funeral” 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: #17 The Funeral

I guess I always assumed that everyone I knew and loved was invincible or immortal or something. I didn’t think anyone I cared about could die.

When my sister died from leukemia at 18, I lost it. My world collapsed. I collapsed. I had trouble getting up each day. I had trouble doing simple things like walking. I became obsessed with my memories of her and had cried until my body couldn’t make any more tears.

Her funeral was something I’ll never forget – it seemed like a hazy dream with the volume turned down real low. The eulogies, the praying, the remembering… Before she was carried to her grave, we took one last look at her in the casket. She almost looked like she was only asleep – as she lay there wearing her favorite blue dress, faded from all the years of wear and tear. I traced over every feature of her face with my eyes – committed a mental sketch to memory. And then she was gone.

Her loss was so powerful – it shook me for years and years. I still can’t talk about it without crying… It made me realize how useless and powerless and human I am.

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 “Running Away” 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: #16 Running Away

When I was a kid I used to fantasize about running away. I’d picture myself wearing a straw hat and carrying a knapsack over my shoulder – like the ones they show you in cartoons where they use a red handkerchief to bundle up your belongings and it gets tied to the end of a stick that you throw over your shoulder. I’d picture myself barefooted, walking off into the sunset on a desert or beach. I envisioned living a glamorous hobo life living in the woods, talking to nature.

And whenever my sister annoyed me or my parents snapped at me, I’d trudge to my room, slam my door, and swear I’d runaway. The furthest I ever got was around the block. I had packed my favorite doll, a handful of colorful marbles, and a granola bar in my teddy bear backpack. After a couple minutes of being a “runaway,” I ate the granola bar. Then a few minutes later I decided I was hungry for lunch so I went back home. I would “runaway,” I’d just have lunch first.

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 “Dancing” 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: #15 Dancing

I’m not much of a dancer. What I really mean is that I don’t like dancing. I don’t know what it is about it that just makes me feel incredibly out of place. It just feels strange to me. I watch other people dance in public and I get embarrassed for them. Probably because dancing looks pretty silly – arms flailing and body jiggling. It looks unnatural. The majority of our day is spent sitting upright or walking from one place to another. Dancing is just going against what we normally do. It seems strange…I think there was a time when I was drawn to dancing. It looked like a lot of fun. But I was too self-conscious, too shy to ever bother with getting much practice on the dance floor. So maybe the way I see dance now is just a side-effect of timidly standing against the wall…watching…waiting…

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 “Shy Girl” 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: #14 Shy Girl

I just get anxious sometimes when I’m around large groups of people. Or when I’m just around people. I don’t know…I just get all self-conscious and feel like everyone’s staring at me. Even though no one is probably even looking at me. I get this feeling like there’s some large mark painted on my face. And everyone’s staring at it, wondering what it is, and where it came from, and I don’t even realize that it’s there. Then I end just having this feeling that there’s something wrong with me and so I stand and I walk around just being uncomfortable in my own skin. And because I’m obviously uncomfortable, I think everyone else senses it and doesn’t like me because of it. And it makes me all the more self-conscious and closed lipped. It’s just a vicious cycle where I can never win.

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 “What I’d Tell My Younger Self” 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: #13 What I’d Tell My Younger Self

If I could talk to my younger self from about ten years ago, I’d tell myself not to worry so much. Don’t focus so much time and energy on what others think of you. You won’t see most of those people later in life anyway, why do you care now? It might seem like every interaction you have with your classmates is the most important thing ever. But years later the drama won’t matter anymore.

You know, you need to stop worrying about your appearance. And enough with the self loathing! There’s too much hate in this world and there’s no need to add to it by hating yourself too.

And another thing, stop trying to be such a perfectionist with your school work. I’m sure life right now just seems like one pop quiz after another. There’s more to life than final exams and midterms. You should explore other things. It’s great that you have your nose buried in the books, but it’s good to step back every once in a while and see what else life has to offer. And instead of thinking “one day I’ll grow up to be this or that,” you should actively act like that’s already your career. That way you’ll figure out if you get tired of it sooner rather than later.

You need to speak your mind more – even if what you have to say isn’t well thought out or intelligent. You’ll learn from your mistakes and if you never make mistakes, you’ll never learn or grow.

And lastly, love yourself. I know it sounds like a cliché but you need to love your awkward self. Stop being friends with anyone who makes you feel ugly – they’re not worth it. Feel comfortable about the skin you’re in and accept everything that makes you who you are.

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 “Reality” 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: #12 Reality

It’s surprising the way life just happens. Like how I always romanticized about what I’d do with my life. That I’d live the glamorous life of a star. My expectations were unrealistically high. Even in school, I was lost in this little bubble of hope that life after college I’d become a well known public figure. A fashion star. When reality finally set in, I refused to accept it. And I suppose I still do. Having the dream feel like it’s only an arm’s length away keeps me going. It gives me something to aspire to, even if it’s impossible to actually do.

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 Break Up” 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: #11 The Break Up

Ken broke up with me over the weekend. He hunted me down in the city – asked my friends where I was and what I was doing, almost like he wanted to join me (wherever I was). But instead of joining me he pulled me aside and dumped me. And there I was just having afternoon cocktails with an old friend who was visiting. And he ruined it. He ruined that moment. It was like he didn’t even care what he did and how public it was. Couldn’t he have waited until later, when we could be alone? Instead of dumping me in public and ruining my day. I was supposed to be having fun with friends instead of going home early in tears. I hate him for that. I hate that he can make me cry.