Question about Monologues

[FSUtheatre]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 3:08pm

When you have a monologue for an audition, are the judges wanting to monologue to come from a play, musical, or movie, or can it be an unpublished piece. I have a monologue I found on the internet that is unpublished but it is perfect for me. Do you think I would lose points for doing that piece? Thanks for all the help.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 3:09pm

Are you auditioning for theatre or a film?

[FSUtheatre]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 3:10pm

Theatre... what would your recommendation be?

Thanks again Matt.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 3:13pm

If you're auditioning for theatre, I would stick to a monologue from a play. I've done casting for both and for film it really doesn't matter, but directors and casting directors for for plays don't always like seeing pieces from films performed.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 5:56pm

FSUtheatre, is this by chance for a college audition? Just curious due to your username, and this is the time of year that kids are auditioning for colleges. If you're auditioning for a college program, the monologues must be from a published play. You also should be familiar with the entire play because the auditors almost always ask you to discuss the play. Just thought I'd add that. If it's not for a college audition, then I'd still stick with a monologue from a play.

[FSUtheatre]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 8:10pm

Hey Erin,

Wow, are you serious? Thanks for telling me that. This is my first time having an audition that is for college, so I am kinda nervous about this whole thing. So your best advice is getting a play from the library and pick out a monologue from there? Monologues aren't really "my thing", so I could use all the advice. By plays, they can be musical plays as well, correct? Thank you VERY much for the help/advice.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 10:43pm

It's hard to find well written monologues in musicals. And you should always read an analize the entire play ANYWAY when doing a monologue - it gives you more insight about your character. Don't just read it because they might ask you questions. Whether they ask you questions about it or not, they'll most likely be able to tell whether you know the character or not.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:02pm

FSUtheatre, you're welcome. I'm assuming since you're applying and auditioning for a theatre program that you've been in plays, right? Well, think of all the plays you've been in, or have seen, and see if any in particular come to mind with an appropriate monologue. If not, then possibly speak to your drama teacher or acting coach to see if they can recommend one for you. Do not choose a monologue from one of those many monologue books you can buy. College auditors have heard them too many times. You also should choose one which is age appropriate. What type do you need? Usually it's two, one dramatic and one comedic. Some schools require one classical. What are the requirements for the school you're auditioning for?

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:10pm

I would agree with erinrebecca...ask your drama teacher for suggestions! That should help a little bit.

[FSUtheatre]

Posted: 11/22/04 at 12:01am

Thanks for the posts. Yes, I have been in musicals. But, still kinda new to the whole "auditioning for college" thing. I am auditioning for FSU and UCF, which are colleges in Florida. They only require one monologue running 2 minutes. My acting coach gave me one, but it is a scene from Dawsons Creek. I just read that the monologue should be from a play. I am currently in a production right now, Bye-Bye Birdie. I am not sure that this would make a good monologue for a college audition. I will ask my drama teacher and acting coach... but if you know of a good piece, feel free to tell me. As you can see, I could use all the help I could get.

Thanks again!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/22/04 at 1:31am

Ask your teacher and coach, but having been through a sickening amount of auditions, I can pretty safely bet that those schools would much rather hear things from plays - as I said before, there's not really anything solid that I've come across from most musicals. There are fantastic monologues in WORKING by Studs Terkle, and I actually played the role in a production of it and used my monologue for auditions after that, but got sick of it. You might want to look into that if you want to do something from a musical. And I agree, stay far away from those monologue books. I would be happy to reccomend things - but i'm not quite certain, are you male or female?

[FSUtheatre]

Posted: 11/22/04 at 7:59am

Hey,
Thanks again. I am a 20 year old male, I probably should have said that earlier. I will check out that source you gave me, but it seems you are pretty familiar with the monologue thing, so feel free to give me some direction. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.