This is particularly out of character for me.' Monologues are a crucial element of theatre, for actors and students alike. From high school study to professional auditions and performances, the monologue exposes the heart of a play and the capacities of the performer. The monologue should be relevant to the performer, and a revelation to the audience. This new collection brings together 30 monologues from contemporary Australian plays. These voices -- from ages 14 to 84, from the 1880s to the near future -- showcase the best of our national writing for the stage. Featuring monologues written by: Jane Bodie; Andrew Bovell; Kit Brookman; Nicholas Brown & Sam Mccool; Patricia Cornelius; Brendan Cowell; Eamon Flack; Richard Frankland; Michael Gow; R Johns; Rashma N Kalsie; Finegan Kruckemeyer; Suzie Miller; Ross Mueller; Luke Mullins & Lachlan Philpott; Kate Mulvany & Craig Silvey; Tommy Murphy & Timothy Conigrave; Joanna Murray-Smith; Lachlan Philpott; Leah Purcell; Melissa Reeves; Damien Ryan; Matthew Ryan; Stephen Sewell; Katherine Thomson; Christos Tsiolkas; Alana Valentine; Matthew Whittet.