In acting classes all over the country, African American students are routinely given monologues either from old Black plays like A Raisin in the Sun or contemporary Anglo plays, prompting them to ask, "Where are the new works aimed at us?" Students need material that is fresh and authentic, material that speaks in their language and to their concerns.

Gus Edwards returns with a second collection of probing and practical monologues on Black life. Whether you are an African American seeking audition and performance material written in contemporary language or an educator trying to offer students of color something more than tired, hand-me-down monologues, this collection presents fresh material written in a voice that reflects the modern African American experience.

Contents:

WE IS WHO WE WANT TO BE
Just Cause (Lorraine-30s) / The Imposter (Dennis-30s) / In Violence We Trust (Joanie-20s) / The Trainer (Louie-40s) / Sunday Morning Memories (Cynthia-30s) / The Lottery Winner (Sophie-50s) / Hate (Barney-30s) / Dream Lover: Mr. Blues (April-30s) / You Can't Win for Losing (Preston-40s) / The Cellist (Renee-20s) / The Magician (Wilson-50s) / Some Men (Laurie-20s) / The Evangelist (Yannis-30s) / The Living Symbol (Fletcher-40s) / Us (Jamilia-20s) / Silent No More (Harris-20s)

MOODY'S MOOD CAFÉ
This Business (Nunez-30s) / An Old, Old Story (Ruth-40s) / A Puzzlement (Ronny-30s) / Something Artistic (Tiny-20s) / Taking It Slow (Mr. Aubrey-60s) / Dreams: A Warning (Ben-20s) / Best Excuse in the World (Eugenie-30s) / Man in the News (Olivia-30s)

THE PROJECTS
Moving Around (Tony P.-20s) / Coming to Terms (Maya-20s) / Forty Deuce Street (Ike-40s) / Six Weeks (Venessa-19) / Remembering Teddy (Clarence-40s) / What It's All About (Floyd-18) / A Military Man (Jake-40s) / It Just Goes to Show (Clemmie-40s) / Slow Dancing with Nichelle (Donzell-20s) / A Different World (Wilson-60s)

THE SORROWS OF ELVA
A Monologue Play in Six Parts
A Fool Not to Marry
Nicest man in the World
Ain't Like It Used to Be
Something Happened
Only a Matter of Time
Dreams Die First

RAP TALK
The Professor (Male-16 to 23) / The Other Me (Vinette-20s) / I Used to Be Cool (Male-17 to 25) / Andy's Rap (Andy-20s) / The American Tradition (Male/Female-20s)

FIVE BLACK HEROES IN MONOLOGUES
I Will Raise Both My Hands: Frederick Douglass
Why I Sing Gospel: Mahalia Jackson
My Own Private Blues: Charles "Buddy" Bolden
Coretta Remembers: Coretta Scott King
A Dream of Deliverance: James Baldwin