Profanity in audition monologues

[noahrp3]

Profanity in audition monologues#1

Posted: 11/15/07 at 8:12pm

I have a college audition for NYU coming up and one of my monologues contains the F-word in it. I was wondering if using profanity in a monologue is inappropriate for a college audition. Should I edit it?

[nate2]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#2

Posted: 11/15/07 at 8:13pm

I have the same problem. For the F word I just say effing, and for **** I say crap, piss-tick etc.

[SarahBeth]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#2

Posted: 11/15/07 at 9:05pm

I just auditioned at my university with a monologue that said all kinds of profanity and even one slur. Obviously they had no problem with it because I got cast..in the classical show. But I guess it all depends on the place. I'd feel comfortable using a monologue with profanity anywhere honestly because lets face it..we're not in high school where its a problem.

"I'll show you a laughgasm. I'll gasm all over this stage!"
"Interesting choice"

[fabala4077]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#3

Posted: 11/15/07 at 11:26pm

One of my auditions for BFAs says bastard... I figured it would be ok.

"The art of Illusion is the art of love; and the art of love is the blood-red heart of the world." - Tony Kushner, "The Illusion"

[lovelyspotlight]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#4

Posted: 11/16/07 at 12:34am

Yeah, um, it's not high school anymore. Curse. For the integrity of the playwright and for yourselves as artists...don't be so inhibited! I guarantee you'll be using these words in the productions done at the schools once you get in, so I see no harm in using them to audition. Granted, I wouldn't choose a monologue absolutely laden with profanities, mostly because most monologues of that nature are MUCH better understand within the context of the show and of what frustrating (or whatever the case may be) events lead up to the profanity.

At any rate, I don't think you all should censor yourselves too much...

[WOSQ]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#5

Posted: 11/16/07 at 9:40am

Oh please, it is theatre school not divinity school.

Let 'em rip.

If they haven't said much less heard vulgarity and/or profanity they have no business being in the theatre, period. Exception is if you are auditioning for a church related or religious production.

Profanity is 'taking the diety in vain'. Vulgarity is everything else.

Things like 'holy crap' are a hybrid.

"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable." --Carrie Fisher

[erinrebecca]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#6

Posted: 11/16/07 at 10:22pm

It won't be an issue at NYU. At a few other schools, I wouldn't advise it. If you aren't comfortable doing the monologue as written, choose another. Do not substitute other words for the originals.

[thevolleyballer]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#7

Posted: 11/17/07 at 3:47am

My audition monologue was from "The Pillowman." Yes, you can use profanity. :)

[lovelyspotlight]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#8

Posted: 11/17/07 at 10:10am

Ah, erinrebecca has a good point there. If you aren't comfortable using the profanity in an audition monologue, that's a whole different story. Only use profanity if you can do so without being super obviously awkward (only if YOU feel comfortable).

[fabala4077]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#9

Posted: 11/18/07 at 11:56am

Ooh, good. I have no trouble calling people bastards. Bring on the profanity.

"The art of Illusion is the art of love; and the art of love is the blood-red heart of the world." - Tony Kushner, "The Illusion"

[gustof777]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#10

Posted: 11/18/07 at 11:25pm

do it.
i did a neil labute monologue FILLED with "N" word and did it for an african american auditor....scared ****less but still got in

RIP Natasha Richardson. ~You were a light on this earth ~

[noahrp3]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#11

Posted: 11/19/07 at 11:13pm

Well I'm doing Rick's monologue from Six Degrees of Separation where he says "and he asked me if he could **** me...and he did...and it was fantastic..." So hopefully I won't make the auditors too uncomfortable...

[WOSQ]

re: Profanity in audition monologues#12

Posted: 11/20/07 at 9:25am

This is a perfect example of vulgarity versus profanity.

You will be using a vulgar term for sexual intercourse presumably. While offensive to some, it is not "profane" in any way. It also describes what your character did and in a straightforward way.

No problem.

"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable." --Carrie Fisher