Help me choose audition material
January 7, 2014 1:19 PM   Subscribe

I'm auditioning for a show soon, for the first time in over a decade. I need help choosing audition material.

Over a decade ago, when I was a theater actor and frequent auditioner, there were always audition monologues that were known to be tired/used/unhip. I haven't auditioned since the early '00s and haven't kept up with any type of theater, so I'm out of the loop completely on a) what's considered a no-no for monologues and b) the best and most interesting sources for monologues. I have an audition coming up soon, and I'd like to not come off (too much) as a rusty old dinosaur.

You're an actor/director/performer. You audition or cast. Where are you finding your monologues? What monologues are you tired of seeing these days? What classics are still acceptable? I'm still hip to auditioning/acting in general, so I'm just looking for tips on finding and choosing appropriate material. I'll accept all genre suggestions since I plan to audition for other shows in the future. If it helps, I'm a 30something woman. Thank you!
posted by Zosia Blue to Media & Arts (2 answers total) 7 users marked this as a favorite
 
First, I'd say to stay away from the audition monologue books. Instead, take this as an opportunity to spend an afternoon in a library reading plays and find something that resonants with you personally. Or think back to a show that you love. Oftentimes, finding the material yourself will allow you to engage with it on a deeper level and it will keep your interpretation fresh and different, rather than taking suggestions from a book or strangers on the internet.

What kind of shows will you be auditioning for? What kind of theater do you want to make? Let the monologue choice reflect the kind of work that you're good at and the kind of work that you want to do.

That being said, most monologues from Neil LaBute plays have been done to death. Stay away from those.
posted by geryon at 2:04 PM on January 7, 2014


Is there an acting school/musical teachers in your area? They usually have Audition Prep classes which can help you with that.

(A quick search threw up http://www.guthrietheater.org/ - their text analysis/scene study classes look like something that would give you some good monologues.)

Edit: if you do go to a voice/music teacher for audition songs, try to pick a teacher that focuses on musical theater (and not opera).
posted by Arthur Dent at 3:45 PM on January 7, 2014


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