The most important factor is selecting audition monologues with the same general tone as the shows you’re auditioning for. You could perform a monologue using the lyrics to a poignant song, a passage from a favorite book, or from a character in a lesser-known Netflix series.įocus on a truthful, authentic performance, and the rest will fall right into place.Audition monologues show your acting range, skills, and passion for theatre. It’s better to find something more obscure to distinguish yourself. Selecting an often-used monologue makes actors blend in with the crowd, and it conveys they didn’t put much thought into choosing material tailored to themselves. After all, the same monologue books and resources are available to everyone. Avoid Picking Popular MonologuesĬasting directors see the same audition monologues delivered repeatedly. It’s easy to miss the opportunity to fully connect with the material and the audience if you’re rushing. Casting is drawn in by your subtle emotion and the clarity of your words. Take your time to demonstrate you understand the true essence and artistry of the material. However, do make sure to look in a direction where it’s easy for casting directors to see your face as you speak. And it can make casting feel uncomfortable. Doing so can bring them out of the role of the observer and suddenly put them on the spot as if they’re part of the scene. Also, unless asked to do so, avoid looking at casting directors while performing a monologue. Imagine how this person is reacting to the speech as it unfolds and act accordingly. Don’t Talk to the Airĭuring the monologue, pick a focal point to represent the character with whom you’re speaking. Any mastered accents or dialects should be listed on the actor’s resume. Casting needs to know who exactly they’re dealing with when they select talent. Unless specifically requested to speak with an accent or dialect, actors should use their own natural voice to prevent any confusion about their identity. But if the material absolutely requires a little prop work, mime it as briefly as possible and keep the piece moving forward. Miming during a monologue has the potential of turning into a game of charades: Did she slam a door or swat a fly? It’s too confusing to the viewer. Talking on an invisible phone or taking a slug of pretend beer has a comical effect and appears amateur. Unless casting requests talent to do so, miming is best avoided. Regarding chairs, sitting during a monologue can work out quite well, but certain performances seem stifled while seated, so consider whether you’ll sit or stand beforehand. While some casting directors are okay with cell phones, perhaps a coat or pen, most agree that a prop should only be used if it’s absolutely essential to the content of the scene. They don’t want to see nunchucks whirling or pocket knives brandished for obvious reasons. Various casting directors, however, have different levels of tolerance when it comes to the use of props, but one rule always stands firm: no weapons allowed. Casting directors want to immerse themselves in the performance, so when a nail file, cigarette, or love letter suddenly make an appearance, it can be surprisingly distracting.

It’s best to avoid monologues that involve a lot of prop work. An authentic performance centered on subject matter you genuinely care about is a lot more powerful to watch. Similarly, acting out a murder on an invisible character or miming a death scene can come off as confusing, if not humorous. When making a first impression, it’s better to avoid pushing people’s buttons. Unfortunately, using hot political topics of the day, religious material, or iffy sexual subjects can make casting feel uncomfortable or even offended. Sometimes actors resort to using shock value in hopes of standing out amongst the competition or to seem edgy. Here are seven practices to dodge during audition monologues to keep the focus right where it belongs-on your performance. However, some monologue practices interfere with casting’s ability to view actors in their best light and are in fact distracting and confusing. Audition monologues are an efficient way for casting directors to quickly become acquainted with actors, observe their type, assess their present level of skill, and learn what kinds of roles they most relate to.

Monologue for audition