Finding the Right Monologue

Performing Macbeth with fellow actors Thandi Luzuka and Jessica Adel


Since my last post was all about the theatre, I have decided to share some basic insight on auditioning...specifically on how to choose a monologue.

If you aren’t a trained actor, the word monologue might create feelings of panic. But as intimidating as it may seem, monologues actually make auditioning for a play much easier than cold readings. A monologue is a long speech a character in a play makes to another character or characters. When auditioning for a play, an actor will choose a monologue to learn and perform in front of the casting director. Usually two audition pieces are required, one contemporary monologue (which is modern like Streetcar named Desire, Wicked, Hairspray) and one classical piece, (Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Hamlet, Much Ado). If you’re having trouble selecting the right monologues, read through this list of ten dos and don’ts.

1. Choose a monologue from a play, not from a movie. People new to theatre always ask if they can use monologues from movies. NO! NO! NO! You must pick a monologue from a play.

2. Pick a monologue that hasn’t been overdone. Directors get tired of seeing the same audition pieces. In other words, try to pick something other than Steel Magnolias or Annie. Try to pick a piece that’s not as common. New plays are always a good place to start. At the same time, don’t do a monologue from a play your best friend wrote, or you yourself wrote. Yes, I’m sure it’s amazing, but the director might not think so.

3. Stick with what’s realistic. If you’re a white woman in your 50s, don’t choose a character that is a young, sexy Latina seducing her man. Be realistic. Choose a character that seems plausible…that is, your same race, your age range, etc.

4. Do not do a monologue from the play you’re auditioning for …unless the audition notice says so. After you do your pieces, they may ask you to do a cold reading from the script. That’s great! But let the director decide.

5. Don’t pick monologues that tell stories. Be sure that your character is talking about the present. For example, “When I was a young girl, he broke my heart.” Boring. It’s much better if it’s “You broke my heart!”

6. Research! Research! Research! Monologue books are fine as a starter…but if you find one you like, you need to get the actual play and read it. At least read the synopsis and the scene you are planning to perform so that you know for certain you understand the characters and situation.

7.Contrast. You want to pick two pieces that contrast with each other. For example, if you are choosing to do a dramatic monologue from Shakespeare’s Othello, pick an upbeat, comedic one for your contemporary piece. If one piece is talking about spurned love, you don’t want to talk about love at all in the other. Remember you want to show the directors that you have a range of emotion.

8.Classical Monologues. A classical monologue usually means something from Shakespeare or at least a play from the same era as Shakespeare. If you have never done any Shakespeare it can be very scary. Choose a shorter classical piece and a longer modern piece. Your modern can be 60 seconds and your classical 30 seconds. (Normally your monologues need to be 90 seconds or less). Do your research. You can find websites online that will explain Shakespeare. Make sure you understand the meanings. Once you have picked your classical monologue, go on youtube and watch different versions of it to make sure you understand the text.

9. Find your own character. Don’t pick a famous play that’s been turned into a movie and just copy the actor or actress. The director wants to see your interpretation, not Meryl Streep’s.

10. Practice! Practice! Practice! Know your lines! Practice until you can recite them in your sleep. Practice in front of the mirror. Practice in front of your friends.

Auditioning is very hard because you’re selling yourself. Try to remember to have fun and use it for experience. Even if you don’t get a callback, keep trying. Normally directors already have in mind what they are looking for; your audition might be great but you just may not fit the look they want. In my early twneties, I was always cast as the ingenue and never considered for adult roles because I looked so young. There have also been times when I was cast over other actresses, not because I was better, but because I looked the part.

The Three Weird Sisters. The director wanted skinny actresses.