How to Perform a Monologue in Acting Auditions

A successful audition shows that you are unique, talented, friendly, imaginative and collaborative. If you take the time to prepare and rehearse your monologue, you increase your chances of getting a callback and landing a role.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Two monologues, each about 1 to 3 minutes in length

1. Gather information on the audition. Know the purpose of the audition, the names and titles of the people whom you will be meeting and their audition preferences. Know the maximum length allowed for the monologues. Research the people and the production.
2. Choose two monologues, each 1 to 3 minutes long, that represent contrasting styles: comedy and drama, for example, or classic and modern. Choose monologues that best show your acting range. If you are a 20-year-old suburban girl, don’t pick a monologue for an 80-year-old Russian peasant; you will never be asked to play that role, and it won’t show your real ability. Choose monologues that allow you to show off your unique talents and personality. The Samuel French Bookstore is an excellent source for books with monologue collections and acting techniques (see Resources below).
3. Read the entire play for each monologue so you understand the context. Memorize your monologues. Do daily chores as the characters from your monologues; imagine how they would shop for groceries or clean the bathroom. If you do not have any acting experience, find a local acting workshop where you can learn, practice and improve your craft. Check the websites for the performance guilds, SAG, AFTRA and Actor’s Equity for guidance on finding a reputable organization (see Resources).
4. Practice your monologues for friends and family. Speak loudly and clearly but naturally. Ask your friends to listen with a variety of expressions so that you won’t be surprised if the casting group watches you with bored, angry or distracted faces. Rehearse in the clothes you will wear and with the props you will use at the audition. The casting director may ask you to perform a monologue a second time with a different intention. This gives the director an idea of how well you can take direction. Practice different attitudes ahead of time.
5. Arrive early to the audition with several copies of your head shot and resume. Never lie on your resume. When you enter the audition space, make eye contact with everyone in the room, introduce yourself and state the monologues you will be performing. Ask if there is anything you should know before you start.
6. Relax and enjoy performing your monologues. If you make a mistake, keep going and end with confidence. The casting group will appreciate how well you handled the mistake. Don't invade the personal space of the casting group. You want them to remember your acting ability, not how frightening it was when you leaped onto their desk and waved a knife in their faces.
7. When the audition is over, congratulate yourself for doing it, remember the successful moments, learn from your mistakes and book your next audition. It is normal to go on many, many auditions before landing a role.

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