The Art of Choosing a Monologue
Selecting the right monologues for your audition can be a very nerve-racking task. As much as you might hate the process, it is extremely important to select the right monologues to show your strengths and win you the role.
- Choose something that casting directors haven’t heard a thousand times. The first thing you want to do is to choose original pieces that haven’t been overused by other actors. Most casting directors have heard the same monologues over and over again.
- Choose short pieces. You need something that won’t send you over the time-limit you’re given. If you go over, you will be rudely interrupted to stop. You really, really don’t want that to happen.
- Use contrast to your advantage. Choose two contrasting monologues that will showcase your skills as an actor. For instance, classical vs. modern, comedy vs. tragedy, etc.
- Choose material that gives your character a clear objective. Your character wants something now and the casting director will see this clearly in your performance.
- Pick material that you’re familiar with. Why do Shakespeare when you’ve never done it before? How do you think that will come out? Don’t risk it. Pick something you can do well.
- Perform a monologue where you’re talking to another person, not telling a story. Monologues where you’re telling a story about yourself are boring. Monologues where you’re telling a story about another person are even more boring. Pick something that is active where you’re doing something.
- Avoid stand-up comedy, violent characters, and vulgarity. You risk offending the auditors unnecessarily by choosing these kinds of parts.
- Choose a piece that doesn’t have any interruptions. If
your character has dialogue with another character, cut it out. Instead,
choose a piece of the monologue where you are speaking to someone actively,
but with little to no interruption from the other character.
