Monologando

Monologando: Where the Spoken Word Takes Center Stage

Monologando is the festival that Teatro IF in Rome dedicates entirely to the art of the monologue. Every May, on the stage of the Via Nomentana venue in the capital's Nomentano district, actors perform self-selected texts in just a few minutes, with nothing but their stage presence to support them. It is an essential and daring format that focuses on the voice, the body, and the dramaturgy: no sets, no supporting cast, just the performer and the audience.

How the Festival Works

The format alternates between selection evenings and the finals. During the initial nights, performers present their monologues—lasting between three and eight minutes on any theme—before a dual jury: a technical panel of industry professionals and a popular jury made up of the audience, who assign a numerical score to each performance. The highest-scoring acts advance to the final, where awards are presented. Participation is reserved for actors residing in the Lazio region, as part of a project aimed at showcasing local talent.

A Showcase for Lazio's Performers

Born as a space for those seeking a stage to test their skills, the festival has become a recognized fixture of the Roman theatre scene, reaching its seventh edition in 2024. Many of the awarded actors have had the opportunity to develop their monologues into full-length shows to be featured at Teatro IF or to join theatrical and cinematic projects linked to the artistic direction. Monologando is thus a competition, a celebration of theatre, and a springboard for emerging talent all in one.

Contemporary Drama and Great Classics

The open theme allows for a great variety of styles: from original contemporary drama to comedic pieces, and from intimate monologues to classical texts. A significant portion of the program is reserved for William Shakespeare, with a dedicated final evening held in collaboration with the Italian Shakespeare Festival—a tribute to the Bard that coexists with the search for new writing, proving how the monologue can transcend different eras and languages.

Teatro IF and the Nomentano District

The festival takes place at Teatro IF, an artistic space overlooking Via Nomentana in the north-east area of the Municipality of Rome, within the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio Region. With a season rich in plays, stand-up comedy, and open-mic nights, Teatro IF is a key reference point for experimental theatre and the capital's emerging scene, and Monologando is one of its most defining projects.

Why It's Worth Attending

Attending Monologando means experiencing a fast-paced evening of theatre where the tone, story, and performer change with every monologue. For the audience, it is also an opportunity to become an active part of the festival, contributing with their votes to determine the winners. It is an intimate and engaging experience that captures the full power of the spoken word performed live.