Looking for guidance on how to choose a monologue that helps you land the part? You’ve come to the right place! Picking the right audition monologue comes down to nailing three key elements. The right audition monologue suits the opportunity you’re auditioning for, plays to your strengths, and has an active narrative arc. But what exactly does that mean? Below, we break it all down in detail.
How to Pick the Right Monologue for an Audition
The first key thing to consider when selecting an audition monologue is the audition context. For example, you might have a theatre audition, a drama school audition, or a theatre company general audition. No matter what the audition is for, be sure to read the guidelines provided thoroughly. These will specify certain parameters for the audition around monologue type (contemporary or classic monologue), length and any other requirements. For drama school auditions, they often ask for two monologues. Always follow the guidelines provided.
However, there are so additional things to be aware of that can help you nail your selection. For example, while the audition guidelines may state that monologues can be up to 3 minutes, but very rarely do audition panels want to see pieces over ~2 minutes. Generally speaking, the shorter the better. An actor who can get in, deliver the goods, and get out is remembered far more highly than one with a few moments of brilliance surrounded by two and a half minutes of filler!
Additionally, consider the taste of the creative team, their previous work, and be sure to check online and see if they’ve ever given interviews about the type of work they like to see from actors. You never know what you might find!
Playing to Your Strengths With Your Monologue
Next thing to consider when preparing your audition is how you can highlight your strengths as a performer. Have you got great comic timing? Then look for a piece that shows that off! Conversely, be aware of your weaknesses and don’t put yourself at a disadvantage by choosing a piece that highlights them. For example, this is not the time to tackle the olympic-level acting required for King Lear if you’ve never so much as heard of iambic pentameter.
Ultimately, when it comes time to choose, think about what you do best and how you can highlight that with your audition piece. If you’re auditioning for drama school, we’ve also got a great article about how to pick a drama school audition monologue.
If you’re not confident, and comfortable with the monologue you choose to perform it will negatively impact your performance. Choosing an audition monologue that suits your talents ensure that even if the role doesn’t go your way this time, you stand out for the right reasons in the panel’s minds.
How to Find Engaging Audition Monologues
Finally, always choose a monologue that is:
- Active.
- Contains a narrative arc.
These monologues are the most engaging and compelling to watch. They also allow you to give your best performance as an actor.
What is an Active Audition Monologue
An active monologue is a monologue in which the character is in active pursuit of a goal. In simple terms, the character wants something and is in the process of trying to get it. For example, the character might be trying to convince someone of something, to get them to change their behaviour, or to hold them accountable for something.
These monologues make strong audition monologues because they allow for moments of change and discovery, which is always more compelling for an audience to watch.
Every scene is either a fight, seduction, or negotiation.
Mike Nichols
In contrast, monologues that lean towards reminiscing or sharing information can feel one-note and flat.
Monologues with a Narrative Arc
Additionally, look for a monologue that has a narrative arc. The gold standard for an audition monologue is one that is active, as above, and with a beginning, middle and end. Basically, you want the monologue to feel like it’s own self contained little play. It shouldn’t require any additional exposition to understand, and when it’s over the audience should feel like something has changed or happened. But not so much that it’s confusing!
Look for a piece that ends with the character in a different place from where they started. The panel want to see you go on that journey, and will be absolutely delighted when you do!
Beware Overdone Monologues
When you’re selecting your piece, consider how many times the panel will likely have seen it before. We have plenty of resources to help with this. If you’re doing a piece that tends to get pulled out by actors time and time again, you’re at a disadvantage unless you can really blow the panel’s socks off. Be conscious of which monologues tend to be overdone, and tackle the piece only if you know you can really nail it!
Check out our articles on overdone contemporary male and overdone contemporary female monologues. We’ve also catalogued some of the most overdone male Shakespeare and female Shakespeare monologues.
Where to Find New Monologues for Auditions
So, you know to avoid overdone monologues. But how can you find fresh material for an audition? It can be tricky, no doubt about that. While the actors who take their craft seriously (that’s you!) will, of course, try to see as many new shows as possible, it’s impossible to know everything that’s going on in the industry. So how can an actor find new material without drowning in hundreds of unread plays?
Here’s a method to help streamline the process:
- When you’re auditioning for a play, consider the roles your suited for.
- Research actors who have played that role (or another, similar role) in the past.
- Once you have identified that actor, look up their resume and see what other roles they have played.
- There are bound to be a few lesser known plays on their CV which you can research.
- Select a few that seem promising, then go read or watch.
- Oftentimes, reading even just 1-2 of those plays will unearth hidden gems!
You can also check out at 100’s of monologues in our fantastic resource page with monologue for actors.
Final Thoughts on Picking A Monologue for An Audition
Every time we work on a monologue, we are choosing to invest huge amounts of time and energy into the piece. Therefore, you want to choose something that truly excites you. When you consider that your monologue selection also contains information about who you are as an artist, the selection becomes an opportunity.
The monologue you choose to perform is a chance to tell the panel what kind of an artist you are and what stories you want to tell. Embrace that. This is not a right/wrong or pass/fail exercise. It’s your time to champion the work you love, share your craft, and do the thing that you’ve been dreaming of! Alright. Now go knock ’em dead.
