As an actor it is important to understand the workings of your inner monologue, which is the dialogue that is continually happening in your mind as you go throughout your daily life. In order to make your character one that is realistic and full of humanistic depth, you must learn how to create and implement inner monologues throughout a scene.
The advanced acting exercise “Speak Your Inner Monologue” is designed to strengthen an actors ability to recognize and implement his inner monologue.
This acting exercise may be used alone or in an acting class; however, it is important that any actor who embarks within this advanced acting exercise understands its requirements and instructions.
Creating a Scenario
The first step in this acting exercise is to create a scenario in which you perform an activity you wish no other person to see. For example, going through your lover’s cell phone and reading his text messages, opening your neighbors mail or stealing small items from the office.
Move on only after you have established a scene.
Scoring the Physical Actions of the Scene
Next, you must score the physical actions of the “scene” you’ve just created. Scoring basically means outlining the primary physical actions you will take in order to reach the objective or overcome any hurdles within the scenario. Take your time when scoring the physical actions as your movements must support the purpose of your movements and the scene.
Speaking Your Inner Monologue
Typically, when you are doing an act that you wish no other person to see, your mind is thinking various thoughts. Instead of keeping these thoughts internalized, speak these thoughts out loud.
Within this part of the exercise, act out the scene, but do not keep any thought hidden. Speak your inner monologue as you perform the various actions. Don’t think that you have to use long sentences or be very elaborate, as this is typically not how your mind thinks to itself.
Instead, you may use simple phrases or even fragments of thoughts as you perform the actions within the scene. During the scene, use your spoken thoughts to drive the actions of the scene as well as to meet and overcome your objective and obstacles.