Presents an anthology of diverse monologues for actresses of all levels of experience. Introduction xi(2) An Actor Chooses: An Interview with Nancy Piccione xiii 1. "Listen to your nightmares." 1(10) Zillah, A Bright Room Called Day 3(1) Tony Kushner Zillah, A Bright Room Called Day 4(1) Tony Kushner Angel, Marisol 5(1) Jose Rivera Phyllis, Fat Men in Skirts 6(1) Nicky Silver Narrator, Tenement Lover 8(3) Jessica Hagedorn 2. "My life with him." 11(14) Maria Josefa, The Modern Ladies of Guanabacoa 13(1) Eduardo Machado Pooty, Reckless 14(1) Craig Lucas Barbara, Three Hotels 15(1) Jon Robin Baitz Linda, Talk Radio 16(1) Eric Bogosian Female Greek Chorus (Aunt Mary), How I Learned to Drive 17(2) Paula Vogel Emilia, Desdemona 19(1) Paula Vogel Ludivinda, Tenement Lover 20(2) Jessica Hagedorn Helen, The End of the Day 22(1) Jon Robin Baitz Grady, April Snow 23(2) Romulus Linney 3. "Everything in its place." 25(10) Verona, Imperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom 27(1) Suzan-Lori Parks Olimpia, The Conduct of Life 28(2) Maria Irene Fornes Claudette, Drinks before Dinner 30(1) E. L. Doctorow "Teenytown," Teenytown 31(1) Laurie Carlos Jessica Hagedorn Robbie McCauley Gorilla, WOMBmanWARs 32(3) Judith Alexa Jackson 4. "Why don't you talk to a psychiatrist?" 35(10) Rachel, Reckless 37(1) Craig Lucas Denise, Talk Radio 38(1) Eric Bogosian Hillary, Raised in Captivity 39(1) Nicky Silver Popo, Fat Men in Skirts 40(1) Nicky Silver Cc, The Vampires 41(1) Harry Kondoleon Pat, The Vampires 42(3) Harry Kondoleon 5. "My first masterpiece." 45(8) Mags, Painting Churches 47(1) Tina Howe Flotilda, Live and in Color! 48(1) Danitra Vance Shirley, Buck 49(4) Ronald Ribman 6. "Things you kids don't know." 53(10) Masi, The Wash 55(1) Philip Kan Gotanda Fanny, Painting Churches 56(1) Tina Howe Sapphire, WOMBmanWARs 57(1) Judith Alexa Jackson Nadine, Still Life 58(2) Emily Mann Doris, Don't You Ever Call Me Anything but Mother 60(3) John O'Keefe 7. "Are you alone?" 63(10) Amanda, The Food Chain 65(1) Nicky Silver Amanda, The Food Chain 66(2) Nicky Silver Getting over Tom 68(2) Lenora Champagne April, Company 70(3) Stephen Sondheim George Furth 8. "The art of dining" 73(8) Elizabeth, The Art of Dining 75(1) Tina Howe Elizabeth, The Art of Dining 76(1) Tina Howe Chata, Roosters 77(1) Milcha Sanchez-Scott "Pork," Teenytown 78(1) Laurie Carlos Jessia Hagedorn Robbie McCauley Cheryl, Still Life 79(2) Emily Mann 9. "One home to the next." 81(6) Mrs. Chan, As the Crow Flies 83(1) David Henry Hwang Sandra, As the Crow Flies 84(1) David Henry Hwang Old Woman, Tennessee 85(2) Romulus Linney 10. "I thought my heart would burst." 87(8) Olivia, Approaching Zanzibar 89(1) Tina Howe Annulla, Annulla 90(1) Emily Mann Suzanne, Sleep Deprivation Chamber 91(2) Adam P. Kennedy Adrienne Kennedy Rosacoke, Early Dark 93(1) Reynolds Price Fromme, Assassins 94(1) Stephen Sondheim John Weidman 11. "He got sick." 95(6) 1. Jack 97(1) David Greenspan Hospice Worker, As Is 98(1) William M. Hoffman The Father 99(2) Beatrice Roth 12. "Do business with the Devil" 101(8) Paulinka, A Bright Room Called Day 103(1) Tony Kushner Kate, Film Is Evil; Radio Is Good 104(1) Richard Foreman Signe, Greensboro 105(1) Emily Mann Arlie, Getting Out 106(1) Marsha Norman Arlene, Getting Out 107(2) Marsha Norman 13. "What do you teach?" 109(8) Li'l Bit, How I Learned to Drive 111(1) Paula Vogel Female Greek Chorus (Mother), How I Learned to Drive 112(2) Paula Vogel Nan, The Film Society 114(1) Jon Robin Baitz Leticia, The Conduct of Life 115(2) Maria Irene Fornes 14. "Bring back memories!" 117(6) Fanny, Painting Churches 119(1) Tina Howe Mae, The Oldest Profession 120(1) Paula Vogel Edna, The Oldest Profession 121(2) Paula Vogel 15. "You wait your whole life for something good to happen and then it does!" 123(6) Barbara, Anteroom 125(1) Harry Kondoleon Doris, The Loman Family Picnic 126(1) Donald Margulies Ruth, And Baby Makes Seven 127(2) Paula Vogel 16. "Dreaming ahead." 129(8) Harper, Angels in America: Perestroika 131(1) Tony Kushner Jackie, No Mercy 132(1) Constance Congdon Nena, The Conduct of Life 133(1) Maria Irene Fornes Celestina, Cloud Tectonics 134(3) Jose Rivera 17. "World without end." 137(12) World Without End 139(1) Holly Hughes Deborah, The Model Apartment 140(1) Donald Margulies Awilda, The Mojo and the Sayso 141(2) Aishah Rahman Lola, The Model Apartment 143(1) Donald Margulies My Brazil 145(1) Rachel Rosenthal Marisol, Marisol 146(3) Jose Rivera Further Reading 149