{"id":401903,"date":"2026-09-16T22:12:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T22:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/401903\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T22:12:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T22:12:15","slug":"the-monologue-is-like-an-actors-first-handshake-with-a-casting-director-wgcu-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/401903\/","title":{"rendered":"The monologue is like an actor’s first handshake with a casting director | WGCU News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether auditioning for a comedy, drama or musical, an actor arrives at an audition equipped with a head shot, resume and a couple of monologues. Cultural Park Theatre Artistic Director Robin Murray says the monologue plays a crucial role in her decision about whether or not to use an actor in a show she is casting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI consider a monologue the first handshake that you’re giving a director,\u201d said Murray. \u201cIt kind of shows what your abilities are without having somebody to rely on, another castmate to rely on or a set or a prop. And we can see what your range is, if you are able to move your body and your voice along with the words without relying on other things on a set.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Murray, the best monologues don\u2019t just showcase an actor\u2019s talent and versatility, they tell a story with a beginning, middle and end.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like to see like the seasons in a monologue when somebody gives it,\u201d Murray added. \u201cI want to see them start as them and then I want to see an arc and then I want to see almost a resolution and then an ending.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Actor,<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Gerrie Benzing<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing <\/p>\n

Actor, author, director and theatre instructor Gerrie Benzing has just published a new book of monologues for kids. <\/p>\n

Local actor, director and theatre instructor Gerrie Benzing has just published a new book of monologues. She knows exactly what casting directors such as Murray want.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince a monologue is a chance to show a director what you can do. I try to put more than one emotion in any monologue I write, so that there’s a bit of an arc in it, so that you can show you can play different emotions,\u201d Benzing said.<\/p>\n

\"Gerrie<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing in the role of Lee in Charles Busch’s ‘The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.’<\/p>\n

Benzing\u2019s experiences auditioning for roles, performing in a wide variety of shows and teaching theater to children and teens informs the way she crafts each monologue. But it was happenstance that led her to publish three compilations of the monologues she\u2019s been writing since 2006.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy monologue started, of course, with my own son, who was performing at the time, and we could not find a monologue anywhere that was different, that was new,\u201d Benzing explained. \u201cSo, I wrote him one. And he entered the Young Artist Competition, and he was only 10. And it was a competition that went all the way up to college. And he won the whole thing. And so, everybody said please write me a monologue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since then, actors using her monologues have enjoyed considerable success winning roles and competitions around the globe.<\/p>\n

\"One<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Gerrie Benzing<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing <\/p>\n

Actors using her monologues have enjoyed considerable success winning roles and competitions around the globe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have had a student text me from South Africa. He entered a worldwide monologue competition and he won his category. He’s since been cast in all kinds of films,\u201d Benzing noted. \u201cI had a boy who auditioned for a Broadway show and used one of my monologues and he was cast. But my biggest success story was Michael Fatica, who I started teaching in summer camps here at the Cultural Park. And he has become a successful star on Broadway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Child<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Gerrie Benzing<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing<\/p>\n

It\u2019s everyday kids having success on a local level that really touches Benzing\u2019s heartstrings. <\/p>\n

But it\u2019s everyday kids having success on a local level that really touches Benzing\u2019s heartstrings.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thing that makes me the most proud are the kids that text me and say, \u2018Hey, I won my student talent show.\u2019 \u2018I got second place. I almost won.\u2019\u201d Benzing added. \u201cAnd they are so happy. And the fact that I could give them something that they love to do and that they did well with and they were happy with, I think that’s the thing that makes me the most happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cultural Park Theatre will be hosting a book signing for Benzing\u2019s latest book, \u201cCharacter Monologues for Kids: Own the Moment,\u201d following the 7 p.m. performance of \u201cCharlie and the Chocolate Factory\u201d on Sept. 19.<\/p>\n

The event marks a milestone in Benzing\u2019s career as an author.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my absolute first one and I\u2019m super excited about it.\u201d Benzing noted.<\/p>\n

MORE INFORMATION:<\/p>\n

About Robin Murray<\/p>\n

A Chicago native, Robin Murray caught the acting bug in fourth grade. Now living in Southwest Florida, Murray is the producing artistic director of Cultural Park Theatre.<\/p>\n

\u201cCultural Park Theatre is one of the longest running community theaters in Lee County,\u201d Murray noted. \u201cWe are now entering into our 64th season. We produce adult plays, children\u2019s plays, comedies, dramas, rom-cons and musicals as well. And our musicals are usually on the lighter side and include children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Actors<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Cultural Park Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Robin Murray, Artistic Director, Cultural Park Theatre.<\/p>\n

Actors use sides during an audition at Cultural Park Theatre.<\/p>\n

Every theater has its own way of announcing auditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Cultural Park, we put out a call usually on social media and then we will give the breakdown of what each character is and whether or not you need to come in with a 16-bar song, 60 seconds, 90 seconds,\u201d Murray said. \u201cFor our regular plays, we will also have the breakdown and we will ask you either to come in with a monologue, be very familiar with the show, and then we will have you read sides.\u201d<\/p>\n

The term \u201csides\u201d refers to excerpts from the script that actors are given to learn for an audition. This excerpt could be an entire scene, or just part of one. Depending on the project, sides can also include more than one section of the script for an actor to learn.<\/p>\n

The term dates back to Shakespeare, when actors were only given their lines for rehearsals since scripts had to be written longhand.<\/p>\n

Theaters often provide the sides in advance of the audition so that actors can familiarize themselves with the lines prior to arriving.<\/p>\n

\"Actor<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Cultural Park Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Robin Murray, Artistic Director, Cultural Park Theatre <\/p>\n

The purpose of a well-chosen monologue is to demonstrate an actor’s versatility. <\/p>\n

While a side will give the casting director a rough idea about how an actor will potentially handle the role they\u2019re auditioning for and fit in with the rest of the cast, sides do not reflect the actor\u2019s overall skill set. That\u2019s the purpose of a well-chosen monologue, Murray said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBased on the monologue, we know whether or not you’re versatile, and that’s the biggest thing we need in an actor, to be versatile,\u201d Murray said. The monologue is going to show us an actor\u2019s range where the sides are going to show us if they can carry a character, the specific character.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Actor<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Cultural Park Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Robin Murray, Artistic Director, Cultural Park Theatre<\/p>\n

To gauge an actor\u2019s versatility, the casting director will often have ask the auditioner to switch from drama to comedy while reading a monologue.<\/p>\n

To gauge an actor\u2019s versatility, the casting director will often have ask the auditioner to switch up the tenor of the reading.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are saying a line that\u2019s very comedic, the director might ask you to read it in a more serious tone,\u201d Murray pointed out.<\/p>\n

While monologues are important in all genres, Murray noted that for musical auditions, \u201cthe voice is weighted the most because, depending on the part the person is auditioning for, if they cannot hit the note \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to directing, Murray is an accomplished actor. Her stage credits include the evil nurse Pat Jones in \u201cFour Old Broads\u201d for The Belle Theatre and Mary Jane McMann in \u201cInspecting Carol.\u201d She also appeared in \u201cMarvin\u2019s Room,\u201d \u201cI Remember Mama,\u201d \u201cAnton in Show Business,\u201d \u201cThe Last Days of Judas Iscariot,\u201d \u201cPicasso at the Lapin Agile,\u201d \u201cOn Golden Pond,\u201d \u201cFive Kinds of Silence\u201d and \u201cCalendar Girls.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Benzing<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Gerrie Benzing<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing <\/p>\n

Benzing played the part of Ruth in the Naples Players’ production of ‘Calendar Girls’ in 2021. <\/p>\n

About Gerrie Benzing<\/p>\n

As the creative director of Monologues4kids.com, Gerrie Benzing has written numerous children\u2019s plays and over 500 monologues for clients worldwide. Dozens of children have used Benzing\u2019s monologues to win movie roles, theater auditions, talent shows and pageants and to secure professional representation.<\/p>\n

Her new book is \u201cCharacter Monologues for Kids: Own the Moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a lot of monologues,\u201d noted Benzing, who has been writing monologues for more than 20 years. \u201cA lot of them are straight comedic monologues, but many are character monologues as well, like Goldilocks talking about how she’s not a criminal. When I directed kid shows, I loved seeing characters in the monologue selection. So that’s what this [latest book] is, a book of character monologues.\u201d<\/p>\n

She included nearly 100 for \u201cCharacter Monologues for Kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"'Duet<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Gerrie Benzing<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing <\/p>\n

‘Duet Acting Scenes for Kids’ is among Benzing’s books of monologues. <\/p>\n

Her previous books are \u201cDuet Acting Scenes for Teens,\u201d \u201cDuet Acting Scenes for Kids,\u201d \u201cMonologues4kids Theater Camp Plays: Broadway Version\u201d and \u201cCommercials for Kids.\u201d She has also contributed original monologues to the book \u201cActive Listening,\u201d by Michael Rost and J.J. Wilson.<\/p>\n

\"'Duet<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Gerrie Benzing<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing <\/p>\n

‘Duet Acting Scenes for Teens’ is among Benzing’s books of monologues. <\/p>\n

\u201cI have lots more monologues,\u201d Benzing added. \u201cSo there are more books coming. Lots of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

A local stage and film actor, director and musical theatre instructor, Benzing has directed six mainstage productions at Cultural Park Theater, including \u201cChicago\u201d (2019), \u201cSister Act\u201d in 2018 (for which she won a Cultural Park Theatre Best Director Marquee Award), \u201cBoeing, Boeing\u201d in 2016 (for which she won as Cultural Park Theatre Best Director Marquee Award) and \u201cPeter Pan\u201d (for which she garnered a Cultural Park Best Director of a Musical Marquee Award in 2014).<\/p>\n

\"Gerrie<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing as Ethel Thayer in ‘On Golden Pond’ at Cultural Park Theatre in 2019<\/p>\n

She has also appeared in more than a dozen shows at Cultural Park Theatre, including the iconic role of Ethel Thayer in \u201cOn Golden Pond,\u201d \u201cHarvey\u201d (for which she won a Cultural Park Theatre Best Actress Marquee Award for her portrayal of Veta), \u201cThe Glass Menagerie\u201d (in which she was cast as Amanda), \u201cDixie Swim Club\u201d (Sharee), Bella Manningham in \u201cAngel Street\u201d (Gaslight) , \u201cBad Seed\u201d (Christine) and Jack Neary\u2019s \u201cThe Porch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe asked Gerrie to do a book signing following Saturday night\u2019s performance of \u2018Charlie and the Chocolate Factory\u2019 because she\u2019s been an important staple here at the theater,\u201d Murray noted. \u201cA lot of the kids that are directing shows and working here have worked with Gerrie since they were 5 years old. So, it just is a natural thing to bring her back and have her showcase those monologues that the kids use to start their careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Gerrie<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing as Frau Blucher in The Belle Theatre’s 2025 production of ‘Young Frankenstein.’<\/p>\n

Benzing\u2019s other stage credits include Frau Blucher in \u201cYoung Frankenstein\u201d at The Belle Theatre, a Pigeon sister in \u201cThe Odd Couple\u201d at Fort Myers Theatre, swing for Mary Meeker in \u201cUnnecessary Farce\u201d at Off Broadway Palm, cigarette-smoking, whiskey-swilling sexpot Elaine Navazio in Neil Simon\u2019s \u201cLast of the Red Hot Lovers\u201d for The Belle Theatre, Julia Budder in \u201cIt\u2019s Only a Play\u201d at The Studio Players, Caprice in \u201cA Doublewide, Texas Christmas\u201d at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Mother Superior in \u201cDrinking Habits\u201d (The Belle Theatre), Gertrude in \u201cSave Hamlet\u201d (for Lab Theater), Raven in \u201cTrouble (at the Vista View Mobile Home Estates)\u201d for Florida Rep, Brooke in \u201cOther Desert Cities\u201d for The Studio Players, Florence Ungar in \u201cThe Odd Couple: Female Version\u201d (Belle Theatre, 2022), Madame de Volanges in \u201cDangerous Liaisons\u201d (Lab Theater, 2022), Lee in Charles Busch\u2019s \u201cThe Tale of the Allergist\u2019s Wife\u201d for New Phoenix Theatre (2022), Jinx in The Naples Players\u2019 production of \u201cThe Savannah Sipping Society\u201d and Ruth in TNP\u2019s production of \u201cCalendar Girls\u201d (2021), Edith Frank in \u201cThe Diary of Anne Frank\u201d for Fort Myers Theatre (2021), Theresa in \u201cCircle Mirror Transformation\u201d for The Studio Players(2021), the ensemble in the cult classic musical \u201cYoung Frankenstein\u201d for New Phoenix Theatre (2021), various roles in \u201cThe Full Monty\u201d for New Phoenix Theatre (2020) and Lucy and Tommy of No Consequence in Adam Szymkowics\u2019s \u201cMarian, or the True Story of Robin Hood\u201d (2019).<\/p>\n

\"Benzing<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing as the elegant Jinx in The Naples Players’ production of ‘Savannah Sipping Society’ in 2022.<\/p>\n

For The Lab, she appeared as Zippy in \u201cClown Bar Christmas\u201d for Theatre Conspiracy, the lead in the world premiere of playwright Zalman Velvel\u2019s farce \u201cD.M.V.,\u201d in Rick Abbot\u2019s \u201cPlay On!\u201d (where she depicted a maddeningly meddlesome playwright), The Best Man (in which she played Mabel Cantwell) and \u201cMiss Witherspoon\u201d (where she played the part of Maryamma).<\/p>\n

Her film credits include Curtis Collins\u2019 locally filmed indie \u201cFallaway,\u201d in which she appeared as an extra.<\/p>\n

\"Benzing<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing directing Broadway Babies cast at Cultural Park Theatre in production of ‘Animal Armageddon in Australia.’ <\/p>\n

Benzing has also taught the class Broadway Babies (for students 4-7 years of age) and Musical Theater (for aspiring actors 8 years old and up) at Cultural Park Theatre. Broadway actor Michael Fatica started out as one of Benzing\u2019s summer camp pupils, and Cultural Park Theatre Director of Education Shaelyn Crabtree evolved from Broadway Babies.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe started in the Broadway Babies class singing \u2018I Want to Be a Rockette,\u201d Benzing recalled. \u201cAnd she has grown up to be such an amazing success story, a true superstar.\u201d<\/p>\n

[Fatica has been seen onstage in the 2024 revival of \u201cSpamalot,\u201d understudying Ethan Slater and SNL\u201ds Taran Killam; covering Olaf and Juke Weselton in Disney\u2019s \u201cFrozen;\u201d as well as understudying Sonny Bono in \u201cThe Cher Show.\u201d He was a striking Newsboy in Disney’s \u201cNewsies the Musical,\u201d a revolting maggot in RSC’s \u201cMatilda the Musical,\u201d Jonathan in the 2017 Olivier-winning Best Musical \u201cGroundhog Day\u201d and a doo-wop singing teen in \u201cA Bronx Tale.\u201d Fatica is also currently the associate choreographer of \u2018Beetlejuice\u201d productions worldwide and the U.S. associate choreographer of \u201cPaddington.\u201d]<\/p>\n

Benzing is also the co-author of the indie film\u201d Perfect Pucker Lipstick\u201d and serves as a judge for District 6 thespian competitions and the Youth Theater Awards.<\/p>\n

\"Gerrie<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Gerrie Benzing in the role of Theresa in ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’ for The Studio Players in 2021.<\/p>\n

While her experience directing, performing and teaching theater principles informs her monologue writing, Benzing concedes that writing monologues for children and teens is radically different than crafting monologues for adults.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an adult, you’re looking for things that will make you stand out from the crowd,\u201d Benzing explained. \u201cWhere children are concerned, there\u2019s an innocence when you\u2019re writing for a certain age and then you\u2019re pushing the boundaries a little when I\u2019m writing for teens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Support for WGCU\u2019s arts & culture reporting comes from the Estate of Myra Janco Daniels, the Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation, and Naomi Bloom in loving memory of her husband, Ron Wallace.<\/p>\n

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