Theater: Choosing monologues

[Loving Linux Penguin]

Hey. Any theater students here? I have an audition coming up in about 2 weeks for a school play and I am having trouble picking a monologue. How does one go about this tedious and frustrating task?

[Through-Glass]

Hey,

It's always good to choose a monologue that pertains to the character you are auditioning for. Try to match up the characters in personality, so that you may showcase your ability to protray that character-type.

As far as actually finding a monologue, there are several websites that have these (google!). Your school/local library will also have several books full of pieces you could use.

Take care!

[Loving Linux Penguin]

I have been instructed not to use the internet because then you don't see it in context. Thanks for your advice. I actually haven't given much advice for what character I want to go for yet...hmm...

[nelicopterr]

Heya!
I'm a drama student as as we speak I just had to find a monologue for my audition tonight! There are plenty of monologues in books, you can always use the internet to research the book. It also depends what kind of character you are looking for. People generally prefer if your monologue is somewhat related to the character you are auditioning for. I hope you manage to find something, if you would like any help I would be more than willing to give you a helping hand. Ellie

[a_soldier_of_orange]

Hi! I'm a senior at a performing arts highschool for theatre - over the years, I've been picking out alooooot of monologues haha.

I can safely say the best way to go about this is to just read plays. As many as you can. You get to know writers, who they write for, genderwise, age-wise. Like. If I were a boy from 17-25, I'd totally look into Neil Labute's work. Or Adam Rapp.

But because I am, in fact, a girl(haha), I tend to look into Caryl Churchill or one of those people that write lots of female parts.

Chances are, you're looking for a contemporary monologue. Check into Neil Labute. Christopher Durang, Edward Albee, Martin McDonaugh, Adam Rapp. All good monologue writers, particularly for males.

Now, my favorite play in the world, Angels in America, has GREAT monologues - - but all the characters are like 30+. But, it's just a thought.


Ummm. Stay away from monologue books or internet monologues - anything that's not written for actual plays. Sometimes you can find a book like 'Contemporary American plays for actresses' or something similar. Those are good. Barnes and Noble usually has a crappy theatre section, but they stock up on those types of books.

[Loving Linux Penguin]

I spent like 90 minutes looking through books in my Theater teacher's office. I like Christopher Durang, but the only play that my teacher had by him didn't have a usable monologue. I now have checked out 8 plays by him, so that should help! Thanks guys!

[S_e_a_n]

I'd say that it depends on what character you're auditioning for and how your theatre teacher does the auditions. My old theatre teacher, for example, would have us do a monologue of our choice and then try and place us based on our performance. If that's the case then I recomend picking a monologue that suits your style. For example, I would always pick a dramatic piece because that's what I was good at..

[KoKoEm]

I'm a theater student, though I don't act, I do know a little bit of what the students here do when looking for monologues. Many will go to our theater director and ask if they have permission to look through the plays we keep in the greenroom and/or that he has to find a monologue then they will copy them in his office so he doesn't have to worry about them forgetting to (or just flat out not) returning the books. So if I were you I would try to do that. =]
Also, if you need to you can probably find some books of monologues in the library or maybe look again in your teacher's office and be able to find one of those that is related to the character.

[Loving Linux Penguin]

Hey. Thanks guys! I ended up with a monologue from a play by Christopher Durang that I got at the public library. It's super funny! And btw, the monologues I was finding online WERE from published plays. They just weren't in context of the entire play! Thanks though guys!

[Perplexity]

Since you've found a monologue and the problem seems to be resolved, I'm going to close this thread. If you want this reopening, please PM me or feel free to make a new thread.

Good luck with the audition!