Roger Karshner

I like accents and I like dialects, I am not the best with monologues and I think these were fine monologues to learn regardless. However, I do not like the CD recordings.

As I was listening to the CD, I was cringing. The accent/dialect wanted to wander (but didn't quite) and they sounded "put on" rather than genuine as the author suggested potential dialect actors learn in the beginning of the booklet. I was pretty excited. I don't know why but I expected that the monologues would be read by show more people who actually possess the accents used... not so. It was the same voice reading each monologue in dialect. I am from Chicago and the Chicago dialect had me cringing.

The reason there are two stars on my review instead of one is because the monologues are pretty decent and, regardless of how poorly portrayed the dialects are, I can hear the proper sounds available in each section, which I still need access to. If I can learn dialect and accent from this CD in spite of itself, I would consider it a winner in the end. I may just take the dialogues to people who possess these dialects and ask them to read for me.

Well, that is my opinion, perhaps others will find it better. show less

A scene-study book of thirty more contemporary speeches for men and women. This book represents an important follow-up to Mr. Karshner's highly successful Monologues They Haven't Heard. It is one of the most demanded publications of its kind for workshop, class work, and audition usage. The monologues are of ideal duration, and embrace contemporary subjects written in language that breathes. The speeches carry definite points of view expressed concisely with beginnings, middles, and ends.

Thirty Modern Monologues is a collection of selected speeches from various successful works, including comedy, drama, and absurdist genres. This anthology provides a wealth of contemporary material suitable for actors and actresses in auditions, workshops, and special readings. It serves as a valuable resource for both amateurs and professionals looking to enhance their performances with engaging and relatable monologues.

This volume contains over 30 two-character scenes (for women/women and women/men). The selection of scenes encompasses the widest range of dramatic styles - from serious to comic and shades in between - providing a varied challenge for any actor.