So I have to read a monolouge for a play audition. . .

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

Really, I wanted to recite EAP's The Raven (Now THAT's something I can get into reading), but oh well. For monolouges, so far I have
http://www.whysanity.net/monos/vendetta.html
http://www.whysanity.net/monos/tokill.html
http://www.whysanity.net/monos/shawshank3.html
that I'm considering. Any of you have a preference for those, or personal preferences for others? I'm open to all suggestions. To find something you can get into, it's best to try multiple things whether or not they look appealing

[bertha katzenengel]

1. "For forty years I've been asking permission to piss."

Absolutely! Go with that one. Be sure to add some gravity to your voice and manner. Speak slowly. Project well. You'll wow 'em. :hi:

Maybe you can make the segue into Andy's letter by walking across the stage and acting out looking under the rock, opening the box, unfolding the letter, holding it up as you read. :shrug:

Whatever you do, don't watch "The Shawshank Redemption" before your audition. :hi:

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

2. It was a great movie. It prolly wouldn't matter if I watched it.

I've got most of it memorised anyway. I'm not sure about time limits, so I was considering just leaving the letter out. I'll have to check that out tommorow.

[Extend a Hand]

3. I vote for the vendetta

monologue.

[u4ic]

4. For what play?

Are you auditioning for a particular role?

What do you see as your strengths?

How much time do you have? (if you plan to audition a lot, find a couple of pieces that you like, work on them and keep them handy)

I'd use something from an actual theatre script, though, not from film. There are plenty of monologue books for men; that's where I'd start if I were you. Perhaps your library would have them, or the local college/university.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

5. I second everything you just said. nt

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

7. 'The Miracle Worker'

I'm pretty sure they're having us read a monologue we choose, and then have us read something from the script (It's not for particular characters, but there are only like 3 male roles in this play, so it doesn't really matter).

I can get loud and really into reading darker stuff (that was one reason why the Raven would've been cool). I thought maybe some Macbeth or Hamlet?

Auditions are Thursday.

And you're correct, theatre scripts would be better, which is mostly the point of this post :) Those were just three movie one's I could recall off the top of my head, as I could not think of any theatrical ones.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

8. I wouldn't do something dark for an audition for "The Miracle Worker"

I'd do something that shows you have the capability to act one of the characters in that play. I also suggest against Hamlet or Macbeth not only because it's dark, but also because Shakespeare is so differently in style than a modern piece. It's also extremely different to do right. There is a lot of terrible Shakespeare getting acted out there.

What I would do today is go down to the library and check out some monologue books and find something from one of those.

I'm not an actor myself, but I did take a lot of acting in college. I also work professionally on and off, as a stage manager.

[u4ic]

9. Have you done any monologues before?

If you have, then I'd work on one of them, if it's an appropriate one (ie not comedy, and as haruka pointed out, not Shakespeare).

Two days isn't a lot of time to find and learn a new one, but it's possible. Just reading from some of the monologue books, something should jump out at you; one that you feel you can work with, and on. (I should point out, it's better to get a monologue from an actual play rather than some of the monologue books where they are just written monologues, that aren't from any play. I've run into a few of the latter, and the monologues are often not very well written).

Loud isn't always best, btw. Certainly, you have to project your voice - but sometimes, more impact is made from a quieter voice. Monotone loud is the absolute worst, imo.

Btw...what is this for? High school? College/University? Community Theatre?

[dancing kali]

10. You would do better with a contemporary monologue.

Don't do Hamlet or Macbeth. You are auditioning for something that doesn't require speaking in verse. Stick with contemporary prose.

Since it appears that you want to stick with dark (not a great choice but I have the same leanings and darker monologues for me are my safe choice) try a script by
George F. Walker called Zastrozzi - The Master of Discipline. It's based on a character/story by Shelley. Walker is a Canadian playwright so you might have a bit of difficulty finding his stuff. It deals with vengeance, good & evil, sex... it's very dark.

Also on the dark side is Marat/Sade (or The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade). Yes, that's the full title - Marat/Sade will do. It's by Peter Weiss. I used to use a monologue from this. It was a seminal piece of theatre during the 60's.

Try looking at Danny and the Deep Blue Sea by John Patrick Shanley. Danny has lots of good material for an audition piece.

Other choices would be something by Pinter or Mamet.

Angels in America by Tony Kushner has a lot of good stuff in it.

Once again, break a leg.

[dancing kali]

6. I would suggest that you not use The Raven

unless you are auditioning for a voice-over/narrator role. Director's want to see you "in character". Of the three choices, I would say the one from Shawshank is your best bet because it's a much more intimate speech. The Mockingbird one would be my second choice but I personally don't think a courtroom address makes for an interesting audition monologue. Of the three Vendetta speeches, the second one is the most appropriate for an audition but has the same problem as the Mockingbird one.

Acting teacher mode on:

Someone else asked above... what play are you auditioning for? What character? Unless it's an original script, find a copy of the entire play and read it. What are your personal strengths as an actor?

Are you doing a cold read of a monologue or are you supposed to prepare a monologue for the audition?

When working on your monologue ask yourself these questions...

Who am I?

Where am I?

What do I want?
(This is known as your objective - phrase it as "I want to ... from ; for example "I want to get to laugh". Ideally you should have an intention for every line. The intention can be stated as "I ". Using the Vendetta monologue as an example "I cajole" or "I stroke" or "I purr" could be the intention with "I want to get the people to act" as the objective.)

Who am I talking to? Where are they? What is their relationship to me? Why am I talking to them?

Where am I going?

Once you have answered these questions for yourself, then you can start working on the text.

I'm done being an acting teacher.

Break a leg.