Drama 2/3 students write and perform own monologues

Drama isn’t just about acting.

Drama teacher Richard Lundin takes his Drama 2/3 class to a whole different level. The drama students had to write, memorize, and perform their own original monologues in front of the class.

“I liked giving my own perspective and creativity into an art piece,” said sophomore, Kristi Anderson.

They performed their monologues Feb. 13, 19, and 21.

There were a variety of dramatic and comedic, but they mostly leaned towards the dramatic side.

For Anderson, writing and performing her own personal monologue was an easier task than performing a monologue by an unfamiliar author like the drama students had done earlier that year.

“I liked bringing my own thoughts into a monologue,” said Anderson.

Lundin had discussed how they might do a hat draw and have students perform each other’s personal monologues, but after taking a class vote, the majority of the students voted no. Anderson was relieved at this, since she did not want to perform someone else’s monologue.

“It was easier because it was my own work; if it was someone else’s, I’d be kind of worried, because I wouldn’t know how the author would want it portrayed,” said Anderson.

The most tedious part of the process for Anderson was the brainstorming — coming up with a solid storyline to environ the monologue around.

“It was easy when I got an idea and ran with it, but thinking of one was kind of difficult,” said Anderson.

The idea of pouring her own thoughts out into a piece and presenting it to room full of peers was extremely nerve racking.

Anderson’s monologue was written about a mother in a therapy session explaining how she got in a car wreck, and how she had blamed herself for the death of her husband and twin girls.

This was not a personal experience for Anderson, but she had based it slightly on her friend who had been in a car accident.

“It was difficult, because it’s hard getting up there and doing your own stuff,” said Anderson.