Winning a role may depend on what audition monologue you choose and how well you deliver it. The actor should also use a monologue that expresses his strengths as a performer. Find and use a monologue that had a personal impact on you even if that piece is not famous.
Instructions
1. Choose a monologue the casting people haven't seen a million times. It's hard to bring something new to a monologue that's been performed over and over. It's easy to bore the agents and casting directors who are tired of seeing those monologues. It is sometimes preferable to choose one from a well-known play, but avoid the classics such as "Hamlet," "Glass Menagerie," and "Chapter Two."
2. Pick a monologue written for your gender, age and type. Don't add the challenge of trying to create a persona that does not come naturally to you.
3. Find a monologue by reading the play in its entirety. Don't just choose a monologue from a monologue book without being completely familiar with the play. Knowing the character's background and circumstances are crucial to knowing play the character.
4. Unless told otherwise, choose a monologue that is between 1 and 2 minutes long. Anything longer is too much.
5. Pick a monologue from a play and not some other literary form. While there may be great monologues from novels, you will likely be auditioning for a play, television series or movie. These areas are all in the live performance arena, not the reading realm. Monologues from plays are designed for performance whereas monologues from novels or speeches are not.
6. Memorize the monologue. Don't read it from the book when auditioning. The agent or casting director will wonder if you can memorize a whole part if you can't even memorize a monologue.
7. Have a few monologues ready for different types of auditions. The well-prepared actor should be ready with a dramatic, comedic and classical monologue.
