Choosing the Perfect Monologue
By Debbie Lamedman, N2Arts Correspondent
How to pick a monologue that will get you the part
 

ou see a flyer at your local high school or community theatre announcing auditions for a fantastic play you’ve always wanted to do. The auditions are in two days and they require that you prepare a one to two minute contemporary monologue. Are you ready? Do you have your selection? If you think you can choose, learn and perform a monologue in two days, you’re sadly mistaken. Many actors make the error of not being adequately prepared when an audition opportunity arises. Consequently, you not only lose out on a role, you may make a bad impression for future opportunities. So be prepared and find that perfect monologue before the audition arises.

Monologue selection is very personal. You want to make sure you choose a piece that will show off your acting abilities within a very limited amount of time. Obviously you should really like the piece; you should be excited to perform it. You want to choose a piece that you can truly relate to and identify with. The monologue you select, represents who you are as an individual. Choosing crude or over-the-top material is unnecessary. It’s distracting and takes away from you, the actor. Remember, if the casting people are seeing you for the very first time, their opinion of you is formed by the monologue you select. 

Material is everywhere! Obviously, you need to read as many plays as possible. Every great actor is also a very well read actor.  This cannot be stressed enough. Read, read, and read! And go see as much theater as possible. This is another valuable way to become aware of great material. But there are other resources besides plays. Check your local bookstore or library for monologue books that contain pieces written specifically for auditioning purposes. Maybe you’re reading a wonderful novel with an exciting character that you truly identify with. If the character in the book has a lot of dialogue, it’s quite possible that you can do a cutting that will lend itself to a perfect monologue suited just for you. Movies, newspaper articles, journal entries and interviews can all be resources for fantastic monologue material.

The best pieces are the ones that have a strong beginning, middle and end. When looking for material, it’s best to think of your monologue as its own one-minute play. Does the character take a journey, make a decision, or discover something new about him or herself or another person in that short amount of time?  It’s also best if the monologue is active rather than narrative. This means that the action of the monologue is happening right then in the moment as if you were actually talking to another person right then and there. It forces you to be in the moment and for the casting folks, these types of monologues are much more compelling to watch.

I also recommend that you choose pieces that are in your age range. If you want to stretch as an actor and play a 50-year-old when you’re only 17, go for it, but you should save that for your acting class. If you’re auditioning for the role of the 15-year-old little sister, then you should definitely perform a monologue that reflects the age of the character.

Be sure to build yourself a strong repertoire of material. Have a variety of pieces to choose from and make sure they are performance-ready. Find contrasting monologues: comedic, dramatic, contemporary and classical. This will ensure that you won’t get tired of any one particular piece as you continue to rotate your selections based upon the roles you will be auditioning for. Preparation is always the key. Go out and find yourself one, two, or ten perfect monologues for yourself. Continue to diligently work on them. And when that flyer appears announcing auditions for that fantastic production you always wanted to be a part of; guess what?  You’ll be ready!

Debbie Lamedman is a private acting coach and the author of "The Ultimate Audition Book for Teens IV: 111 One-Minute Monologues" and "The Ultimate Scene Study Series Volume II: 55 Short Scenes for Teens" published by Smith & Kraus, Inc. Debbie can be reached by e-mail at monologs4u@aol.com