Home Page Site Map One-act plays Congratulations
Monologue Zone TOWEL LADY Holocaust Related Plays Upcoming Productions
Free monologues
    The First Time
       a monologue by Janet S. Tiger

to return to MonologueZone, click here
This page contains work by Janet S. Tiger. 
       to reach her - please e-mail tigerteam1@gmail.com or 858-274-9678
                             THE FIRST TIME

                       a monologue by Janet S. Tiger   (c) March 13, 2009

                                       
       only 99¢! -read for free

I trust you -  if you like this monologue, you can pay below, if not, click here to go   back to find another monologue you prefer
Payment of 99¢ via Paypal allows you to perform this monologue under the following conditions -
-only for personal use for audition or class purposes.  Any performance that has a ticket or donation requires a royalty agreement.  For all royalty and licensing, please contact Janet S. Tiger at tigerteam1@gmail.com
-video for youtube is encouraged, but permitted only with permission of the author, and with contact and copyright info included on the youtube listing
-this monologue cannot be copied without permission of the author- licensing rights for multiple copies are necessary

Thank you!

                               

(There are two versions - one male, one female - this can also be done as a duo.  It has an incredible effect on the audience.)

                           THE FIRST TIME

                       a monologue by Janet S. Tiger   (c) March 13, 2009


www.PlaysByJanetSTiger.com

(This has two versions - the female is first, male is below.   A woman comes out onstage.   She can be anywhere from 25 on up.  This can be performed as a duo, too.)

 

                               Woman

 

The first time....

The first time you take a breath.

 

The first time you smile.

 

The first time you eat something very delicious.

 

The first time something hurts.

 

The first time you walk, the first time you run....

 

The first time you fall.

 

The first time you realize you love someone.

 

The first time you are very mad…. at someone you love.

 

The first time....you're afraid.

 

The first time you go to school.

 

The first time someone pulls your pigtails, the first time you learn something so interesting it changes your life, the first time you realize teachers aren't perfect, like you thought…..the first time you realize your mother isn’t perfect like you thought…..

 

The first time you make a friend.

 

The first time you realize that friend kissed the guy you like.

 

The first time you cry.

 

The first time you graduate.

 

The first time you fall in love,,,,,,,The first time you have sex.....the first time you have an orgasm.  (an aside) Those three can be in any order.

 

The first time...you are very scared you could be pregnant.

 

The first time you are happy to find out you are not pregnant.

 

The first time you really hate someone.

 

The first time someone hurts you.

 

The first time....(slowly) .you hurt someone.

 

The first time you realize you did something really bad and you can't fix it.

 

The first time you cry....so deeply that it's not crying anymore, it's sobbing.

 

The first time you know you are over the problem....and you still hurt.

 

The first time you get a job.

 

The first time you meet someone and spend the whole day talking to them and you know that you are going to marry them.

 

The first time you get married....

 

The first time you are sad to find out you’re not pregnant…

 

The first time you get pregnant.....and all the other firsts that go with that .....all of which connect you to every other woman that has ever lived and had a child.

 

The first time you......you see your firstborn.

 

The first time you fall in love with someone you have never seen before.

 

The first time.....you realize your children are grown.  

 

The first time you realize that someone you have known for 50 years can drive you insane when they are around all the time because they have retired and do not have a hobby.

 

The first time you realize that someone you have known for 50 years is still a mystery

 

The first time you lose someone you love.

 

The first time....you realize someone you love is never gone.

 

The first time you forget something....

 

The first time you are so sick that it is scary.

 

The first time you realize that everything you know is ....nothing.

 

The first time you see your grandchild.

 

The first time you want to see your great-great grandchild.

 

The first time you get tired – really tired! – of saying ‘the first time’

 

The first time ….I’m sorry, I can’t remember…. The first time you .....I'm sorry I can't remember this line……

 

(Starts to walk off, looks back)

 

Now I remember….

 

The first time......you die.

 =-----------------------------------------------------------------

(This has two versions – if done together, the female is first, male is below.  This can also be done as a duo.  A man comes out onstage.   He can be anywhere from 25 on up.)

 

                                 Man

 

The first time....

The first time you breathe.

 

The first time you know it's your mother smiling at you.

 

The first time you eat something very delicious.

 

The first time you walk, the first time you run....

 

The first time you get hurt.

 

The first time you want to hurt someone.

 

The first time you realize you would die to save your Mom.

 

The first time you are very mad at your Mom.

 

The first time....you're afraid.

 

The first time you go to school.

 

The first time you have to be so bored that you could jump out a window.

 

The first time you get in trouble and go to the principal's office.

 

The first time your Dad is really mad at you because you got in trouble.

 

The first time you make a friend.

 

The first time you realize that friend likes the same girl you do....and neither one of you goes out with her and you are still friends.

 

The first time you drive...the first time you drive really fast!   ....the first time you hit something and you have to fix it with your buddy so your parents don't find out...but they do.

 

The first time you have to pay your own insurance.

 

The first time you camp out under the stars and go fishing.

 

The first time you find out that you really like to build things.

 

The first time you get drunk.

 

The first time.....you do it.

 

The first time you do it ....with a girl.

 

The first time...you are very scared she could be pregnant.

 

The first time you are REALLY relieved someone isn't pregnant.

 

 

The first time you graduate.

 

The first time you fall in love,,,,,,,

 

The first time you really get hurt and you stay in your apartment  for days and eat delivery pizza and don't shave and don't recognize yourself in the mirror.

 

The first time you really hate someone.

 

The first time....(slowly) .you hurt someone.

 

The first time you realize you did something really bad and you can't fix it.

 

The first time you .....(hard to say this) ....cry....

 

The first time you stop getting drunk to ease the pain because the pain is gone.

 

The first time you get a job.

 

The first time you see someone walking down the street and she is so beautiful and you know this is the woman you are going to spend your whole life with

 

The first time you get married....

 

The first time she gets pregnant ......the first time she has a miscarriage.

 

The first time you are really relieved when she is pregnant - and she has your son, and you see him and something happens inside and you are never the same and for the first time you know how much your father loved you even if he never told you.

 

The first time you....say I love to your son.

 

The first time.....you realize your kids are grown.

 

The first time you retire.

 

The first time your wife almost kills you because you're driving her crazy so you get a hobby that you really love.

 

The first time you lose someone you love.

 

The first time....you realize someone you loved is never gone.

 

The first time you forget something....

 

The first time you get that pain in your chest that feels like an elephant is sitting on you....

 

The first time you realize that everything you know is ....nothing.

 

The first time you see your grandchild and you see your grandchild graduate.

 

The first time you .....I'm sorry I can't remember this line.....I do know I am so tired....really tired.....of saying 'the first time'

 

(Starts to walk off, looks back)

 

Now I remember….

 

The first time......you die.

 -----------------------------------------

If you liked this monologue and want to use it for class or an audition, please purchase using the add to cart.  If you want to look at other monologues, click here

-------------
.If you like my monologues and want to buy over two dozen for only $14.95, please take a look at THE MONOLOGUE ZONE  www.MonologueZone.com

 purchase THE MONOLOGUE ZONE right now and I will send an email copy-
this includes THE TOWEL LADY, 'Blood' monologue and many more


-------------------------------------------
         TIPS ON CHOOSING A GREAT MONOLOGUE
                            by Janet S. Tiger
           




I've seen many actors do thousands of monologues - some of them mine.  I've learned a few things - and I have a great deal of admiration for all actors.  (A special thank you to DJ Sullivan, who gives a fantastic acting class - her home was the location of my first reading!)

1. Know your strengths - if you have a great memory, you can choose a longer piece that might have a greater punch for the judges/audiences.  If you do a wonderful New York accent, try a piece that shows off this ability.  Or, if you know the part you're auditioning for is athletic, find a monologue that has motion as well as dialogue.

2.  Read a lot of different monologues for different ages - if you find you can do a great senior citizen, this can expand the range of monologues you can try.

3.  Try less known writers - the judges and audiences have heard Hamlet/Goodbye Girl/ Neil Simon/David Mamet a million times.  If you find a playwright that hasn't had work done in your community, you have a better chance of keeping the audience interest.

4.  Test out monologues on people who aren't related to you - the mailperson, strangers at a rec/senior center - so that you get visual and verbal feedback on different monologues.


This website has some monologues that might not have been seen or heard in your school.

Most of my work is on computer, so I can e-mail to you as soon as I receive a confirmation from PayPal.

 Also, I offer two free monologues - one male, one female - to give you an idea of what my writing style is like.  If you're interested in a free monologue, please contact me at tigerteam1@gmail.com.

 I guarantee you'll like my work - or I'll give you another monologue free. 

Break a leg!

   Below are one-acts,
   if you want to see my full Monologue page,
   click on the Monologue button at the top of this page.
    




Official PayPal Seal This web site is under construction, but if you need to contact Janet S. Tiger immediately, please e-mail tigerteam1@gmail.com or call 858-274-9678.


These are some of my one-acts, for monologues, please click the Monologue button at the top of the page.

- Note - if your school doesn't use PayPay and you need something immediately, please call 858-274-9678 or e-mail tigerteam1@gmail.com.   (I can send an invoice if necessary once your school status is approved.)

THE AFFIDAVIT

    Running time – 15 minutes            $6.00/script
    Set – pawnshop 1940’s                                        
    2 characters   1 man – 40s
        1 woman – 25-35   

    A desperate woman brings a cherished family heirloom to a pawnbroker to try and get money to rescue her father from Nazi-occupied Austria.  Will she get the money?  And at what cost?  Fast-paced with a surprising end.


This play has won numerous awards including DFAS National 1-Act Playwriting contest –(First Place)and Gassner Memorial One-Act Playwriting Competition (Honorable Mention.)

THE AFFIDAVIT is published in ONE-ACT PLAYS FOR ACTING STUDENTS edited by Norman A. Bert  (Meriwether Publishing, Colorado)

The productions are too numerous to list at this point, but include New York (Off-off Broadway, New Zealand, Canada, Austria…..if you have had a production in another country and want it listed here, please e-mail tigerteam1@mail.com
   

BLIND WOMAN’S BLUFF

Running time – 25 minutes            $8.00/script
    Set – living room, semi-rundown             
    2 characters   1 man – early 20s
        1 woman – late 60s

An old blind woman puts a classified ad in the paper and a young man answers the ad - but is he there to buy or to rip her off?  Quick, funny and a good showcase piece for actors.

Winner  DFAS National One-act Playwriting Contest 3rd Place
Published in PERSPECTIVES THREE
                 (HBJ, Canada -8th grade textbook)

Since its first publication, BLIND WOMAN'S BLUFF has had numerous productions.  If you would like your production included in the upcoming page 'where in the world have I seen this play?', please e-mail the details to tigerteam1@gmail.com

.


CURSE OF THE DUCHESS
(monologue)
Running time – 15 minutes            $8.00/script
    Set –   minimal - chair, table, lamp
                Lighting and sound effects very important                            
    Character - The duchess - in her late 80s, very British

A duchess recounts how a curse changed her life.  Touching- a tour de force for an older actress.

    Winner - DFAS National 1-Act Playwriting Contest 2nd Place
    Produced - Five Flags Theatre, Dubuque, Iowa
    Televised - Public Access Cable Channel Iowa

–  

DAY OF ATONEMENT

Running time – 15 minutes            $10.00/script
    Set –  kitchen, living area  middle-class New York late 1970s                             
    2 characters    2  women, both 60s, both with Polish accent

Finalist - Fritz Blitz Contest for One-Act Plays, San Diego, CA

Two women, lifelong friends, face Yom Kippur (the Jewish New Year also known as the Day of Atonement) with different ideas.  Great showpiece for two older actresses. 
–   


DON’T YOU CRY FOR ME

Running time – 35 minutes            $10.00/script
     Time- 1966  Late summer evening of a very hot day, almost dusk  
     Set – Sitting room in a gracoious house in a rural Atlanta suburb                              
     Characters - 2 men, 2 women     all with Southern accents
     
The death of his father - and an unusual request in the will - leads a young man to deal with major issues in his life, and his family, in a very Southern finale.
 
 Strong language

Award -Fritz Blitz of New Plays
Produced-   The Seventh Annual Fritz Blitz of New Plays, San Diego, CA


This play is part of the TRANSFUSION trilogy.  (The other is OH, SUSANNAH)  There is a discount if all three plays in the trilogy are purchased at the same time.





INTERVIEW

Running time – 45 minutes            $10.00/script
    Set –    Living room as talk show set                   
    Characters -   2 men, 2 women

     Strong language.

Finalist - 2nd Annual Robert R. Lehan Playwriting Awards,
                                           Westfield State College, Westfield, MASS
Welcome to the Hornet's Nest - a radio talk show that can be very interesting - and dangerous.  When Audrey Hornet hosts a political guest that used to be an old lover, anything can happen.  And it does.  Riveting suspense that build to an explosive climax - keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.



OH, SUSANNAH

Running time – 15 minutes            $10.00/script
    Set – Midwest middle-class living room                   
    2 characters   1 man – Russian accent, 70s
        1 woman- American, 70s

This play was completed with funds from a COMBO-NEA Grant.

Produced - Vintage Theatre, San Diego, CA  1993

Susannah returns from her husband's funeral to find a suitor at her doorstep.

–   This play is part of the TRANSFUSION trilogy.  (The other is OH, SUSANNAH)There is a discount if all three plays in the trilogy are purchased at the same time.



SAVE A PLACE FOR ME

Running time – 15 minutes            $10.00/script
    Set –  Bus stop                     
    Characters -  2 men, 2 women

This play was commissioned by the Aaronson Foundation.

  
     

SCRIPTEASE

Running time – 45 minutes            $10.00/script
    Set –        modern living room                      
    Characters -  5 men –30-s-50-s
                             4 women – 20-40's
Lead female needs British accent

A well-known playwright is found dead at the reading of his newest play - which of his 'friends' didn't like his latest literary offering? 

Mystery with a DEATHTRAP twist - fast and funny with some good chances for stylist characterizations and staging.

***Janet S. Tiger's first full production!   Southwestern College Chula Vista, CA
****Special note
This play was produced by Scripteasers, the well-known  San Diego Writers-Actors group that has helped new playwrights for over 50 years!  Janet S. Tiger had her first play read at Scripteasers in ....well, many years ago.  It was very.......long.  But the Scripteasers helped her improve her writing, and most of her plays had first readings at one of their meetings.  SCRIPTEASE  was written as a 'thank you' , and it was produced by Scripteasers in May 1981.  For more information, you can visit the Scripteasers website www scripteasers . org
 


SWEEPSTAKES

Running time – 45 minutes            $10.00/script
    Set –  semi-rundown apartment                  
    Characters -  2 men, 50s, 60s
 
Winner - 1986 West Coast Ensemble Festival of One-Acts
Produced - Playbill Theatre, Los Angeles, CA  1986 (extended run)

   Strong language

 

THE WAITING ROOM (also available in full-length)
Running time –    45 minutes        $10.00/script
    Set – living room/dining room European, circa 1938
    Characters   2 men –25-50
      3 women – 25-75

A Jewish family in Vienna, Austria, just before World War II, is faced with crucial decisions about taking the opportunity to leave - or staying behind with an aged and ill relative.  Basic human questions about the value of life and importance of family are confronted.  Poignant drama.

This play has won many awards, including the Gassner Memorial and the DFAS National .  THE WAITING ROOM  has been produced numerous times, from San Diego to New York.  For more details, please e-mail tigerteam1@gmail.com


PRODUCTION INFO  -
 For more details, click on PRODUCTIONS button at the top of the page


Plays by Janet S. Tiger have been performed throughout the world including United States, Canada, England, Austria and New Zealand.  If your group has performed a play by Janet S. Tiger and would like to have it listed on the PRODUCTIONS page which will include international productions, please e-mail details of the production to
tigerteam1@gmail.com.

Unusual facts about some of Janet S. Tiger's productions-
1st Reading - UGANDA  at a Scripteasers meeting in....a long time ago.  (See info about the one-act SCRIPTEASE.)

1st production - SCRIPTEASE (one-act) in 1981 was directed by William Virchis

Janet S. Tiger's plays have won awards five times in the DFAS National One-Act Playwriting Contest -

THE WAITING ROOM -2nd place 1982
THE AFFIDAVIT - 1st place 1983
BLIND WOMAN'S BLUFF - 3rd place 1984
SAVE A PLACE FOR ME - Honorable Mention 1989
CURSE OF THE DUCHESS-  2nd place 1990

The first three prizes were won by Janet Schechter (the 'S' in Janet S. Tiger), the others after she married Stanley Tiger.  Janet traveled to Dubuque, Iowa to watch  the productions in 1982, 1983 and 1984, and made many friends that she still is in touch with today.  For more info on the DFAS Contest, google Dubuque Fine Arts Players One-Act Playwriting Contest