Resources

Little did I know that it was so important to have books.

Books on hand, books on a shelf, and (most importantly) books in the mind. How can one answer the complicated question of "where can I find a good [insert type] monologue?"

Now, having ideas in your head from having both viewed and read plays is of primary necessity, but depending on your student's ability to obtain said book/script/play your wonderful advice could be for nothing if they can't get their hands on a copy.

1) Anthologies:

1. I collected a large number of these simply by taking college courses in theatre. It was much easier for an instructor to design a course around a textbook than to order loads of individual books.
2. They're cheap! These things are constantly being sold to half-price stores as a "newer" version comes out. If you're interested in the plays as opposed to a new (and generally pathetic) section on non-western drama then you'll be fine having an older, used edition, right?
3. One book 2 One student w/ Multiple Plays = Efficient and more easily trackable lending of your books.

2) Collections:

1. What can you say about collections of works by dead authors (or incomplete collections from the living)? Well, you could start by saying that they're good. One writer : one place.
2. Year/Theme/etc... These can be grouped in such an enormous number of ways but each one can be helpful. Early works can be interesting for those who've only read the newest popular scripts. And, again: one book, one student, multiple plays = efficient.

3) Individual Plays:

1. These are easy to carry (who wants to carry around the complete works of Shakespeare on a picnic trip?).
2. For the money... my bet is on collections and anthologies for older works. This seems to be the only way, however, to get new works. If you're on the cutting edge it is well worth the cost.

4) The Internet:

1. There are many resources for finding and reading works.
2. For older, out of copyright works see http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/ - They house a great number of works (including that complete works of Shakespeare). Need to do a scene for class? Print off a couple of copies. What could be easier?
3. Lastly check www.charlesmee.org where playwright Charles Mee is offering all of his works online.

Until e-books become the main distribution method  for play scripts, it's good to have a couple on the shelf.