How to Prepare a Monologue

A well-prepared monologue will help you get roles.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Blank Tapes
• Cassette Tape Recorders
• Plays

1. Read the entire play from which your monologue comes, several times.

2. Memorize the monologue thoroughly.

3. Break down the character. What does the character in the monologue want? How will the character get it?

4. Break down the monologue into a beginning, middle and end.

5. Practice keeping hand gestures, walking, pantomiming and use of props to a minimum.

6. Imagine the person you're speaking to in the monologue, and keep her clearly in your mind's eye at all times as you speak. Imagine her reactions, and see the other person in the piece. Remember, monologues are really dialogues in which the other person doesn't speak.

7. Practice performing the monologue first to an inanimate object. Then perform it for a trusted professional, such as a fellow actor or a casting director, and get feedback.

8. Try performing the monologue in several different ways. Be prepared to perform it more than one way at the audition.

9. Time yourself and make sure the monologue fits the length acceptable for the audition (usually one to three minutes).

Tips & Warnings

• Be brave and adventuresome in your initial interpretation and performance of the monologue. Then hone your vision in time for the audition.

• Choose material that you have an immediate gut reaction to - material that touches you or moves you.

• Record your monologue on tape and play it back to yourself repeatedly to help you memorize it.

• Choose a monologue from a play you love; don't choose one from a book of monologues. Those tend to be overused, and casting directors tire of them.

• Keep it within the time limits. Never go over!

• Don't look down at your feet.

• Don't move around too much; it's distracting.

• Don't perform the monologue too close to the casting director. Stand at least 5 feet away, and don't touch him or her.