Theatre Department Auditions

Applicants should prepare two memorized, contrasting monologues no more than 90 seconds each (total time 3 minutes). Please select from a published play, NOT a poem or short story. Please DO NOT choose anything by Shakespeare. Contrast in the monologues can be demonstrated through the type of character or the material chosen such as serious/comedic, contemporary/classic, urban/rural, etc.

Applicants should find characters close to their own age and try to become familiar with the whole play from which the selection is taken. Do not use foreign dialects. Do not use props or wear costumes. For help locating material, browse our website or call the theatre department at 628-3340. After performing the monologues, applicants will be given short improvisations to perform with other applicants. Adjudicators may interview applicants.

Fequently Asked Questions

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How do I prepare for my audition?

Choose two monologues that show a good contrast. Contrast can be shown by two very different character types such as urban vs. rural; comedy vs. serious; classic vs. contemporary; and so on. Determine the major objective the character is trying to achieve with the monologue and always keep that at the front of your brain. For example, a character may be trying to make another character run away with him/her, or trying to make another character love him/her). In most instances, the objective your character is trying to achieve has to do with another character whom you must imagine is there with you. Place that imaginary character in front of you (not to the side) and focus all your energy on getting him/her to do what you want them to do! Rehearse the pieces out loud to help with memorization. Remember we need to hear you, so be sure to articulate. You may sit in a chair if you wish, but do not sit unless you feel the character absolutely must! Do NOT sit down for both monologues! We need to see you move, so a little bit of purposeful movement is good – too much is distracting! (By “purposeful,” we mean movement that is character motivated—not aimless pacing or shifting of weight). Remember to arrive several minutes early so you can warm up your voice and stretch out your muscles. Wear comfortable clothes that are not so baggy that we can’t see your body. Do not wear high heel shoes or shoes with open backs—you need to be able to move easily.

What do I look for in a monologue?

The ideal monologue is a character close to your “type,” (age, gender, body size). Race is not a factor unless the part specifically calls for a particular race. You will seldom be cast to play a character other than your type! Why would a director cast a fourteen-year-old female to play a ninety-year-old male? A character close to your type is also going to have life experiences that may be closer to your own. (For example, a fourteen year old generally has no concept of what it means to be married and celebrating a tenth wedding anniversary). It is vitally important that you choose a monologue that you “connect to” on some level--one that gives you a “gut” feeling. If you choose a monologue that means nothing to you, how do expect to make an audience understand your emotions? Try to find a monologue that makes you say, “Wow! I’ve felt like that before.”

Where do I find monologues?

The best way to find monologues is to read plays! Most libraries have a theater section and you might want to spend an hour or so sitting on the floor thumbing through some plays. Larger bookstores usually have a drama section as well. The easiest way to find a monologue is in a book that contains a collection of monologues. These are available in libraries and bookstores, BUT BEWARE! Directors want to see that you understand the character that you are playing—you can’t do that if you don’t read the whole play to sense of who that character is. So, if you choose a monologue from a monologue book, be sure to find and read the play from which it is taken. Many monologues are published on the Internet and you may find them by typing in “monologues male” or “monologues female” (or other suitable search words/phrases). Again, be careful! Some works found on the Internet may not be suitable for you at your age. Talk to your parents before you go to the Internet. You should also be aware that anyone can publish their work on the Internet and there are an awful lot of really awful monologues out there! The other problem with monologues on the web is that they are most often not from a play—they are just a monologue. A director has no way of knowing how well you interpret a role if the piece is not from a play.

May I do a monologue I wrote?

Generally speaking, you should not do an original monologue. Why? Because an original monologue may be brilliant, but it does not allow the director to see you create a role based on a playwright’s character. One of the things a director looks for is an actor’s ability to create a role—to bring a playwright’s words to life--not just perform one he has written himself. If you are presenting more than one monologue, and if your original piece is FANTASTIC, you may prepare it as your second piece.

May I do a monologue from a movie?

Movies are different than plays. The acting style is different. Screenplays are written for actors to perform in front of a camera. Most of the actors are only seen from the waist up and quite often in close up. Plays often use more stylized movement or symbolism than screenplays. We see your whole body on the stage, and you communicate with your entire body! Plays are written with that in mind. Also, if you present a monologue from a movie you have seen, you are more likely to try to imitate the actor who played that role in the film. We want to see you be creative and interpret the work on your own, not imitate someone else.

Can you recommend some plays that have good monologues?

One of the things we are looking for is a student who takes initiative and finds interesting monologues on their own. We know it’s difficult to find good pieces, but that’s part of what we’re looking for—someone who can meet that challenge! However! You have shown initiative by visiting this web site and reading through these tips, so here’s your reward: (Please note that some of these plays have mature language and themes)