Perform a Monologue

In theater and film, a monologue is when a character speaks in an extended fashion to the audience. As an actor, this is akin to a solo performance in an orchestra, when you have the opportunity to showcase your performance. Delivering a monologue is also often part of auditioning, giving the casting staff a sense of your presentation and delivery. Keeping a few key points can make a big difference in your dramatic presentation.

Steps

  1. Choose a monologue that is suited to your acting range. Your physical appearance and gender should never impede your ability to play a character - as it is a character. This has been proven by many actors over the years. However, if your strengths lie in dramatic text it is better for an audition to work with a more serious piece.
  2. Know what you are auditioning for and choose a monologue based on the genre and possible demands of the role.
    • Pick a monologue from the play you are auditioning for. If you are auditioning for a role in "Romeo and Juliet", memorize a monologue from that play. Don't try to get clever or "original", as the director is trying to picture YOU in the role, so keep it simple.
    • If you do not have access to the play, pick a monologue which is similar to the type of play, and the role you are playing. If you are auditioning for an original play, so you don't have access to the writing, this may be your only option. (If you are auditioning for a contemporary play, find a contemporary monologue to audition with, and vice versa).
  3. Pick a piece that will showcase your range and talents. Again, if you are a really experienced and talented actor, go for a monologue that is more difficult that showcases your ability. But unless you have years of performing and drama lessons, do not try anything fancy; present yourself solidly within your ability. For example, do not attempt to do an accent if you are cannot speak fluidly with that accent.
  4. Memorize your lines. This often means reading and reciting them over and over again until they are memorized. At this step, do not worry about extra details: just get the words memorized so everything else comes easier. Most actors need to both read and recite the monologue. Remember one person may be able to memorize in one sitting, another may need a week...what matters is who gets the role, not who memorizes things quickest.
  5. Develop your character. Often the hardest part is making the character you perform seem real in those short few minutes you have. If you have a chance, read the play - if available - in its entirety, as the character can have traits that are not evident in the monologue. This may seem like a waste of time, but the auditors can tell when you have fully understood the character you are portraying.
    • Pick one or two elements that give a sense of a character. For instance, the Tin Man in "The Wizard of Oz" will walk and dance stiffly. Glinda the Good smiles in a beatific manner and glides regally. The Wicked Witch of the West cackles and acts menacingly.
    • Dress for your monologue, if appropriate. A little costume or sense of costume helps you get in character, but also help your audience or director see you in the role. For instance, if you are doing a monologue for the role of Rizzo in "Grease", a pink shirt, tight black pants, and a scarf and maybe chewing gum gives the sense of the 1950's- era character. (Caution: it is generally not wise to come to an audition in full costume.)
    • It helps to develop your character in front of a mirror, so you can see yourself perform. You can also record yourself and play back, which can help you determine what works for you and what does not.
    • Experiment and have fun. While acting is often serious, keeping your mind loose and open and fun is important in the creative process. Try different "serious" things with your role, then try something fun and random, even for a serious monologue. Try your monologue as the exact opposite emotion you are trying to convey, or replace one key word with "banana"or some such. This can help break up fatigue, drudgery, and frustration and create a fresh performance.
    • Make it natural. At first, your performance will generally be a bit clunky, or overdone, or hesitant. Practice until what you are performing feels smooth. Remember that on stage, you do have to act more dramatically than you do in real life, but avoid "over-acting" as well.
  6. Rehearse your monologue in front of people that will give you useful feedback. Just saying, "that was good" is encouraging, but not useful...ask "what was good about it?" If they did not like it, what was it that did not work so well? Remember that actors have to be open to criticism, and not take it personally or over-react.
  7. Use vocal warm-ups before the monologue. Vocal warm-ups loosen your voice, focuses your mind, and relaxes you before a stressful audition situation. The most useful ones vary from person to person:
    • Try singing the song “Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones. It helps open up the vocal chords but is a slow enough song to help calm the nerves
    • Recite a favorite piece of poetry. Even familiar nursery rhymes can be soothing. "The Alphabet Song" is good in a pinch, as it uses a lot of word sounds, is familiar, and calming.
    • Sing along to your favorite playlist with headphones. Whatever soothes, energizes, and comforts you will likely work. However, avoid musicians that dramatically scream lyrics as that hurts vocal cords.
  8. Perform your monologue. This will be the quickest part. Follow all directions from the director, as given. For all the preparation, and any stage fright or angst you have, this is "go time".
  9. Forget a line? Forgetting or botching a line happens to be best of actors; what you do with your mistake will make or break your performance. In fact, a rescued performance may make a director choose you despite your imperfect monologue because you show flexibility, confidence, creativity, and character. Depending on the situation, here are some tactics:
    • Skip ahead in the monologue. Very often, no one will even notice.
    • Make up lines the character should say, even if it wasn't in the original monologue.
    • Keep in character. Directors love an actor who can commit to a role, even if everything else falls apart.
    • Smile, smile, smile! The scenery falls down, actors flub lines, pants fall down on stage. Put if you keep a bit smile on your face, despite what you may feel or what happens, that makes a statement in confidence and character that directors.
    • It's been known for actors who completely mess up their lines to still win the role if they maintain character, improvise clever "saves", use humor, or simply remain poised and confident in the face of disaster. This is no guarantee, of course, but it has been known to happen.

Sample Monologues

Doc:Comedic Monologue,Dramatic Monologue

Tips

  • Think about appropriate mannerisms, such as hand gestures, in your monologue. Monologues are more than just reciting the lines.
  • Think of your monologue as a story, and make sure you know the story. Some actors like to approach each line one at a time for thought process purposes. For beginners it should be enough simply to know the whole story so that if you forget lines you can improvise cover lines that fit in with the story.
  • Be sure to look at the audience when appropriate.
  • Read the play or watch a movie adaptation before presenting your monologue. Many actors find a monologue online or from a book but never read the play to learn who that character is, and completely miss what the character is like.
  • If at all possible, find face-to-face support in presenting a monologue. If you are a high school or university student, the school drama teacher will likely be willing to help you through the process, especially if you have never attempted a monologue before. Community theaters also will often provide some help.
  • Be careful not to over rehearse. If you get to the point where you are sick of the monologue, you need to immediately stop, have a break, and come back to it later with a fresh mind.

Warnings

  • Know when you are doing too much with a character so as not "over-act" that is, make them cartoon-y rather than genuine. (Unless, of course, you are supposed to act in such a manner!)
  • Be honest with yourself and your abilities. Good actors are typically confident people, but know what they are good at doing, and where they are weak.

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