TalentTrove Home

Do you have a monologue audition coming up?

I've received some messages about one of my previous posts, "10 Quick Acting Auditioning Tips", and how all of you liked the way it was presented: short, sweet and to the point. I will try to do that here as well. Thanks for the feedback, otherwise, how would I know? based on an article I recently wrote about monologue auditions, "11 Monologue Audition Dos and Don'ts", I've written this blog as a condensed version. This post's aim is to point you in the direction of professionalism in the eyes of a casting director when specifically auditioning for a monologue. By the time you're done reading and implementing these 11 suggestions, you should enter your audition as a professional actor in the truest meaning.

1. Make sure you warm-up your body, mind and vocals before auditioning. Not only does it help you get into character, the casting director will respect your professionalism.
2. You must be professional, down to your clothes and portfolio. Neither should be wrinkled.
3. Don't choose stale, overdone material for your monologue audition. You'll bore them to death. Instead, choose something current and fresh.
4. You got feet, use them! You show emotion partly by moving around. Don't run laps around the stage, but a few steps can go a long way in portraying a scene during your monologue audition.
5. Make sure you're facing the casting director while speaking. Don't give the auditioner a side view of your face. They don't like it.
6. Look confident by going upstage to perform. Get as close to the casting director as you can. You must be seen and heard for your monologue to be affective.
7. Monologue is not dialogue. Don't use the casting director as a partner during your audition, unless they insist.
8. Don't overact the part. If you look like a teenage drama queen, you've gone too far (unless that's the character).
9. Stay in character during the entire monologue audition. Don't let an actor's emotion get in the way of the character's.
10. If you forget a line, there is no stopping. You're in character so say what you think should be said, and the lines will soon come back to you.
11. Keep your dignity and any chance of getting the part by saying thank you and leaving. Do not linger, complain or make excuses about your performance.

For more detailed information about each tip, refer to my article, "11 Monologue Audition Dos and Don'ts". It goes farther in depth about what I mean for each tip if any of it was unclear. Good luck!