BRAD McENTIRE: MONOLOGUE JAM

Here's the idea: a lone performer on the stage takes a suggestion given by the audience and then simply tells a compelling story or monologue, in character, based on that suggestion. I have been interested in this precisely because of the apparent simplicity.

Anyway, before the holidays during the winter of 2010, I brought the idea up to my friend John Rawley, who was running the Alternative Comedy Theater at the time. I pitched it as a possible project and new format to work on. He liked it, so we gathered up our friend and colleague (and all-around improv guy) Jeff Swearingen and rehearsed the format a a few times.

Kyle Bradford performing in the Monologue Jam to a packed house.
Cafe Bohemia, Plano TX - March 22, 2014

The first Monologue Jam was presented February 12, 2011. After that the format was presented intermittently, but on aa consistent basis.

The Monologue Jam is a simple format presented in two possible sections. It is entirely possible, and likely, this format or something very like it, existed before. I don't know. Maybe I invented it.

Rory Scholl in the MJ at the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv 2014, Dyer Street Bar, Dallas TX

Liz Robinson in the MJ at the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv 2014,
Dyer Street Bar, Dallas TX

Section one involves individual performers taking a stab at improvised story-telling based on an audience suggestion. This suggestion is usually drawn from a bowl or hat filled with suggestions on little slips of paper. the improviser draws the suggestion, reads it aloud and then begins. The monologue lasts between 2 and half and three minutes. There is a hard stop at three minutes (blackout).

Section two - the optional one - is a "round robbin" (or "jam") session where the performers tag in and out continuing a single storyline based on an audience suggestion.

At the end of the Jam, the audience votes by applause who should take home the coveted jar of Monologue Jam jam that evening.

Shea Smith in the Monologue Jam (Margo Jones Theatre - Nov. 9, 2014)

The Monologue Jam briefly became its own stand-alone evening with the addition of games, contests, give-aways, etc. It was produced by MINT Presents for a short time (2014 & 2015) at the Margo Jones Theatre in Fair Park, Dallas TX.

From January 2015 to the Summer of 2016, the Monologue Jam expanded to Austin TX, presented by the Institution Theater and hosted by Tyler Bryce. The Austin Monologue Jam ran monthly (first Saturdays). Tyler continued to expand the concept with workshops and even (on one occasion) puppetry.

The Institution Theater closed in February 2022.

Brad Hawkins, "All Puppet Monologue Jam" winner
(March 5, 2016 - Austin TX)

Currently, the Monologue Jam is still presented from time to time, most recently as part of the annual Big Weekend of Improv produced by the Alternative Comedy Theater in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

The prize jam for the Monologue Jam - July 9, 2022

MONOLOOGUE JAMS (not an exhaustive list):

» February 2011 at Cafe Bohemia (Plano TX) First Annual
» January 2012 at Cafe Bohemia (Plano TX) Second Annual
» June 2012 as part of the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv, Dyer Street Bar (Dallas TX)
» July 2012 at the Cafe Bohemia (Plano TX) as part of a fund-raiser
» January 2013 at Cafe Bohemia (Plano TX) Third Annual
» May 2013 as part of the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv, Pocket Sandwich Theater (Dallas TX)
» March 2014 at Cafe Bohemia (Plano TX) 4th Annual » July 2014 as part of the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv, Margo Jones Theatre (Dallas TX)
» November 2014 at the Margo Jones Theatre, Fair Park (Dallas TX)
» June 2015 as part the Big Sexy Weekend of Improv, Pocket Sandwich Theater (Dallas TX)
» Starting in January 2015 thru late 2016 the Monologue Jam branched out to Austin, Texas as well, at the Institution Theater, hosted by Tyler Bryce.

» The Monologue Jam made a return as part of the 2018 and 2019 Big Sexy Weekend of Improv presented by the Alternative Comedy Theater.

» July 9, 2022 saw a return of the Monologue Jam, hosted by founder Brad McEntire at the 12th Annual Big Weekend of Improv presented by the Alternative Comedy Theater.

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