Perform Australia
Youth Monologue Competition
Theme: The Unknown
Whether it is a deep mystery, tomorrow’s troubles, or the contents of a Kinder Surprise, there are many things hidden to us.
Create your monologue that explores the theme of The Unknown and win great prizes!.
Awards
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Best Original Monologue – $400
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Best Performance – $400
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Junior Award (13 & under) – $100
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People’s Choice Award – Trophy
One entrant may win multiple awards.
Festival Performance
Selected entries will be performed in the Festival of Monologues on 9–11 July 2026 in the Perform Australia Theatre, Tuggeranong
Winners announced 11 July
Who Can Enter
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Ages 10–18 (as of 11 July 2026)
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Must live in, or have a strong connection to, the Canberra region
Important Dates
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1 May – Entries open
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7 June – Matching deadline
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24 June – Final submissions due
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29 June – Selected entrants into the festival announced
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9–11 July – Festival performances (shows start at 7:30 pm)
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11 July – Winners announced
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Judging
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Writing Awards → judged on the script
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Performance Awards → judged on the live performance in July
Video submissions are for selection purposes only
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Competition entries closed on 24 June 2026​
Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry. We are no longer accepting entries and are currently reviewing all submissions received.
Competition Finalist Performance Schedule
Please note that if your monologue is listed in the performance schedule for two or three days, you will be performing on all specified dates. We kindly request your availability to attend and perform on all the advised dates.
All actors and writers get free entry to the festival. Family and friends can buy tickets here.
Thursday 9 July
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Karma
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The Case of the Missing File
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Why does this have to happen to us?!
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The House that Knows Me
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The Unknown Phone Call
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I thought I knew you
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The Unknown of the Deep Dark Ocean
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I Don't Know What I Want To Eat For Dinner
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Christmas Present
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Graduating the Unknown
Friday 10 July
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Why does this have to happen to us?!
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Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen
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Ready or Not
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The Unknown Phone Call
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I thought I knew you
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The Unknown of the Deep Dark Ocean
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Arcadia's Door
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Graduating the Unknown
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The World When It's My Turn To Live
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Calling the Unknown
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Saturday 11 July
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The Uncertainty of Death
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What's Under the Bed
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Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen
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Ready or Not
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If Humans Disappeared
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Magical McDonalds
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Unsure
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Erik Weisz
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The Report Card
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The Clock Keeps Ticking
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Where the Light Ends
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The World When It's My Turn To Live
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Banana Spy
Important Requirements and Rules
MONOLOGUE REQUIREMENTS
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Original, unpublished work
- Not from produced plays, films, or published sources
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Not AI-generated
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Length: 2–5 minutes
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Must explore The Unknown
Content Rules
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No swearing
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No explicit sexual content
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No graphic violence
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No hate speech
Performance Rules
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One performer only
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Must be memorised
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Simple props, costumes, and set allowed
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Basic lighting and sound cues permitted
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Must allow for quick setup and pack-down
Important Information
​All performances start at 7:30 pm, and actors are required to arrive at 6:30 pm. If actors want to arrive earlier to practice on the stage, the theatre will be open from 5 pm.
Do the writers have to attend the Festival?
We would love the writers of the monologues to attend the festival to see their works performed, but if they can’t make it, they will still be eligible to win the writing award. All actors and writers get free entry to the festival. Family and friends can buy tickets at https://www.perform.edu.au/tickets
Does my script have to be identical to the one submitted in the video? No – you may make modifications and rewrites to the monologue, but it should reflect the original script – please don’t come with an entirely different monologue!
Do I need to bring props, costumes and set pieces?
Yes. If you are using props and costumes for your monologue, you will need to provide them. We have a bench, a chair and drama blocks that you can use. If you require large set pieces, contact us, and we will see if we can find them for you.
What about lighting and sound?
If you need simple sound effects or lighting changes, our technician can incorporate them – you will need to provide a paper copy of the script with the cues marked in it, and if you need sound effects, please bring them on a USB flash drive. We are not able to run sound cues from your phone.
What is different about performing on stage compared to making the video?
The main difference is that on stage, you need to speak louder so that the audience can hear you. There are some choir mics hanging in the theatre, but they still require actors to use big voices. Also, some of the video entries featured actors that were reading the script. For the Festival performance, you will need to memorise the script. No scripts are allowed on stage.
When will the prizes be awarded? The prizes will be handed out at the end of the show on Saturday, 11 July. If your monologue is not scheduled that night, you are, of course, still able to win. If you win and are not present that night, we will organise for your prize to get to you the following week.
Please note that as part of each evening, our Playhouse actors will be performing their play, The Mysterious Tale of The Mary Celeste.
This play is about 35 minutes long, and your entry in the festival includes being able to see that play.