About Us
Supporting Young Theatre Artists
The manuscript notes that proceeds from the collection support the Friends of Palo Alto Children’s Theatre (FOPACT) and its work with the City of Palo Alto.
This support contributes to initiatives including scholarships, transportation grants for student matinees, paid learning opportunities for teens, sensory/spectrum-friendly programming, new play commissions, and other youth theatre initiatives.
When young people are given a stage, they are given an opportunity to discover their voice.
20 Characters. 20 Perspectives.
Inside the collection, audiences and performers meet characters including:
- The Wolf
- Gretel
- The Little Pig
- The Witch
- Snow White
- Wendy
- Bailey
- Pepper
- Little Red
- Taylor
- Drizella
- The Scarecrow
- The Frog
- Tim
- Alice
- The Wizard
- Terry the Tortoise
- The Magic Mirror
- Jack
- Thumbelina
Each character has a different story to tell.
Some are searching for friendship.
Some are dealing with expectations.
Some are questioning their choices.
Some are discovering courage.
And some simply want to be heard.
About the Book
Stories You Know. Voices You Haven’t Heard.
20 Monologues for Young Actors by Marieke Gaboury is a collection of 20 character-driven monologues inspired by beloved fairytales and classic stories.
Created especially for young performers ages 8 and up, the collection invites actors to look beyond the familiar plots and discover what might be happening inside the characters themselves.
These are not simply the stories we already know. They are opportunities to hear from characters who may have been misunderstood, overlooked, or never given the chance to tell their side of the story.
A Fresh Perspective on Familiar Characters
What if the Wolf doesn’t want to be a villain?
What if Jack returns from the beanstalk questioning his choices?
What if the Magic Mirror wants to be appreciated for its wisdom rather than its reflection?
What if Thumbelina must choose between finding the place where she belongs and helping a friend in need?
These questions form the heart of the collection.
Through these monologues, familiar characters are given new emotions, conflicts, dreams, doubts, and perspectives.
Created for Young Actors
The collection is designed to give young performers material they can explore through auditions, acting classes, classroom activities, and performance.
The manuscript identifies the intended age as 8+ and encourages actors to choose monologues that feel right for them. It also allows gendered language to be adapted when appropriate, giving performers greater flexibility in making a character their own.
Young actors can explore:
- Character development
- Emotional expression
- Imagination
- Storytelling
- Voice and movement
- Comedy and drama
- Confidence
- Personal interpretation
About the Author
About Marieke Gaboury
Marieke Gaboury is a theatre administrator, producer, teaching artist, director, playwright, and actress. She serves as Director of Theatre Operations for Palo Alto Children’s Theatre and is passionate about supporting the next generation of young theatre artists.
Her work brings together theatre, education, performance, and storytelling—values that are reflected throughout 20 Monologues for Young Actors.
Every Young Actor Has a Story to Tell
Discover 20 memorable characters, fresh perspectives, and powerful monologues designed to help young performers explore their imagination and find their voice.