Picking Your Monologue
Know the Rules
Before choosing a monologue, make sure you know the rules you need to follow. Most auditions have a time limit so be sure to stay on or under the limit. Pick something that suits your acting abilities, age range, gender and appearance. Be sure to choose a monologue that matches your skill level and will show your range and talents. Chances are each audition has a slight variation to what is needed -- you don't need to start from scratch for each one, but be able to adapt what you have.
You will likely need a total of three monologues...either two contrasting contemporary pieces OR two contrasting pieces with one needing to be classical.
Emotionally Connected
You should know the entire story surrounding your monologue and make sure you understand what it means. It will be easier for you to deliver your monologue if you are emotionally connected to it. If you do not understand the monologue the directors will be able to see that, so make sure you choose something you like and are connected too.
Makes Sense
Look for a monologue that makes sense out of context. You want to choose something that your audience will understand while you are performing it. You don’t have time to give a long explanation on what your piece is so make sure it can easily be explained and understood.
Be Unique
You are trying to stand out and land the audition, so choose something that will make you unique. Don’t pick something the judges have heard a million times. It will benefit you to choose something they do not know very well so you have them on the edge of their seats listening to something they don’t hear often.
Active
Storytelling while performing a monologue is okay, but too much can be found boring. Choose something that has emotion or is active. A character dealing with a conflict, confronting someone and making a big decision are some examples of this.
Good Conversation
Although your monologue should be active and you want to make sure you are talking to someone else and not just telling a story, you do not want too much interruption. If there is too much conversation in the monologue there will be a lot of pausing and it could be found distracting or throw off your timing.
Research
Know what part you want to try out for and choose a monologue that reflects that part. The more you resemble the character you are trying out for, the more likely they will notice you since it is what they are looking for. Don’t do a monologue from the actual script, but something that resembles it. For example, if you are auditioning for a comedy, choose a monologue that is comedic.
Be Prepared
You cannot start too early preparing your auditions. Just like getting ready for a play, the more prepared you are, the more likely you will feel confident. You MUST put in the time: to memorize, work the beats and figure out the blocking and character.
Before choosing a monologue, make sure you know the rules you need to follow. Most auditions have a time limit so be sure to stay on or under the limit. Pick something that suits your acting abilities, age range, gender and appearance. Be sure to choose a monologue that matches your skill level and will show your range and talents. Chances are each audition has a slight variation to what is needed -- you don't need to start from scratch for each one, but be able to adapt what you have.
You will likely need a total of three monologues...either two contrasting contemporary pieces OR two contrasting pieces with one needing to be classical.
Emotionally Connected
You should know the entire story surrounding your monologue and make sure you understand what it means. It will be easier for you to deliver your monologue if you are emotionally connected to it. If you do not understand the monologue the directors will be able to see that, so make sure you choose something you like and are connected too.
Makes Sense
Look for a monologue that makes sense out of context. You want to choose something that your audience will understand while you are performing it. You don’t have time to give a long explanation on what your piece is so make sure it can easily be explained and understood.
Be Unique
You are trying to stand out and land the audition, so choose something that will make you unique. Don’t pick something the judges have heard a million times. It will benefit you to choose something they do not know very well so you have them on the edge of their seats listening to something they don’t hear often.
Active
Storytelling while performing a monologue is okay, but too much can be found boring. Choose something that has emotion or is active. A character dealing with a conflict, confronting someone and making a big decision are some examples of this.
Good Conversation
Although your monologue should be active and you want to make sure you are talking to someone else and not just telling a story, you do not want too much interruption. If there is too much conversation in the monologue there will be a lot of pausing and it could be found distracting or throw off your timing.
Research
Know what part you want to try out for and choose a monologue that reflects that part. The more you resemble the character you are trying out for, the more likely they will notice you since it is what they are looking for. Don’t do a monologue from the actual script, but something that resembles it. For example, if you are auditioning for a comedy, choose a monologue that is comedic.
Be Prepared
You cannot start too early preparing your auditions. Just like getting ready for a play, the more prepared you are, the more likely you will feel confident. You MUST put in the time: to memorize, work the beats and figure out the blocking and character.