Things You'll Need:
- Stopwatch
-
Step 1
Follow your heart. Your selection of a monologue for auditions should start with your heart. That is, choose something you really enjoy performing. If you plan on auditioning frequently, you're going to be performing this piece a lot, so you'd better be passionate about it. Find a piece you love first, worry about timing it later.
-
Step 2
Follow directions. Audition notices usually include a time limit and the number of expected monologues. These range from one one-minute monologue to two two-minute contrasting monologues (a comic piece and a dramatic piece, usually). Always know exactly what the director has asked for and prepare accordingly.
-
Step 3
Start the clock. Once you know the time limits imposed by the director for your audition, you're ready to time your piece. Start a stopwatch as soon as you begin, and stop it as soon as you are done. "Starting" and "stopping" are relative to the moment you are in character and the moment you break character, not necessarily when you begin to speak or stop speaking.
-
Step 4
Trim the fat. If you are consistently over time, study the piece to see what words, phrases or sentences you can cut and maintain the monologue's integrity. Make cuts and time the piece again. Remember that a good monologue reveals character, so avoid trimming important character expressions. If you are still running over time, try changing the pace of your piece. Are there areas where you can reasonably speed up? If not, you may need to select a different monologue.
