7.1 Selecting appropriate monologues
3 min read•july 31, 2024
Selecting the right monologue is crucial for actors. It's about finding pieces that showcase your talents and connect with your audience. The perfect monologue reveals character depth, presents compelling conflicts, and allows you to shine.
When choosing a monologue, consider your strengths and the role you're auditioning for. Look for pieces that demonstrate your range, align with your casting type, and offer a unique interpretation. Remember, the goal is to leave a lasting impression.
Elements of a Strong Monologue
Narrative Structure and Language
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- Clear beginning, middle, and end form a complete narrative arc within a short span of time
- Rich subtext in language allows for multiple layers of interpretation and emotional depth
- Varied rhythm and pacing of language mirrors natural speech patterns
- Includes moments of intensity and reflection
- Effective use of imagery and sensory details enhances
- Helps actors connect with the material (describing a vivid sunset, feeling of rain on skin)
Character Development and Conflict
- Reveals significant aspects of character's personality, background, or inner thoughts
- Presents a conflict or dramatic tension driving the character's words and actions
- Can be internal (moral dilemma) or external (confrontation with another character)
- Clear objective or goal for the character
- May or may not be achieved by the end of the piece
Character Analysis in Monologues
Objectives and Tactics
- Primary objective drives character's actions and words throughout the monologue
- Overarching goal they are trying to achieve (winning someone's love, seeking revenge)
- Tactics are specific strategies employed to achieve the objective
- May change throughout the monologue as circumstances shift (pleading, threatening, bargaining)
- Subtext often reveals true feelings or intentions
- May conflict with spoken words (saying "I'm fine" while clearly upset)
Character Journey and Context
- Character arc represents emotional or psychological journey from beginning to end
- Key turning points or moments of realization map out character's progression
- Changes in tactics often occur at these points
- Understanding and given circumstances crucial for interpreting motivations
- Analyzing relationships with other mentioned characters provides insight into and emotional state
Monologue Selection for Actors
Showcasing Versatility
- Demonstrate from subtle nuances to intense expressions
- Select pieces from different genres to show adaptability
- Drama, comedy, classical, contemporary
- Choose monologues that challenge physical and vocal abilities
- Accents, dialects, demanding physical characterizations
Alignment with Actor's Profile
- Select material aligning with actor's "type" or casting potential
- Also push boundaries to show growth and potential
- Choose age-appropriate monologues believable for actor's current life stage
- Evaluate language and character complexity in relation to actor's skill level
- Ensure piece is challenging yet achievable
Contrasting Selections
- Choose contrasting monologues to highlight different aspects of abilities
- One dramatic ('s Hamlet) and one comedic piece (Neil Simon's The Odd Couple)
- Opt for monologues showcasing diverse skill sets
- Classical verse speaking vs. contemporary naturalism
Audience and Purpose in Monologue Choice
Audience Considerations
- Understand specific requirements or preferences of intended audience
- Audition panel, casting directors, general performance
- Assess content and language appropriateness for audience
- Consider cultural sensitivities and age restrictions
- Choose monologues aligning with style or genre of production or role
- Demonstrate relevance and suitability
Performance Context
- Consider time constraints imposed by audience or venue
- Select monologues performable within given timeframe (30 seconds, 2 minutes)
- Evaluate monologue's potential to create a memorable impression
- Stand out from commonly performed selections (avoid overused monologues)
- Analyze how well chosen monologue showcases specific skills or qualities audience seeks
- Relate to purpose of performance or audition (comedic timing for sitcom role)
Unique Interpretation
- Consider unique perspective actor can bring to monologue
- Captivate and engage specific audience
- Choose pieces that allow for personal connection or interpretation
- Bring fresh take to well-known monologue (gender-swapped performance of classic role)
Key Terms to Review (18)
Absurdist theatre: Absurdist theatre is a genre of drama that emphasizes the illogical and chaotic nature of human existence, often presenting characters in situations that are nonsensical and devoid of purpose. This style explores themes of existentialism, emphasizing the futility of communication and the absurdity of life, pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling and character development.
Audience Engagement: Audience engagement refers to the interaction and emotional connection that takes place between performers and their audience during a performance. It involves capturing the audience's attention, making them feel invested in the story being told, and encouraging active participation or response. Strong audience engagement can enhance the overall theatrical experience and is crucial for an actor's effectiveness in conveying the narrative.
Backstory: Backstory refers to the history and experiences of a character that shape their personality, motivations, and relationships in the present moment of a story. It provides depth and context to characters, informing their choices and emotional responses, which is crucial for creating authentic performances and engaging narratives.
Character analysis: Character analysis is the process of examining and interpreting a character's traits, motivations, relationships, and transformations within a script or performance. This understanding is essential for an actor to create a believable and engaging portrayal that resonates with the audience, linking closely to how actors navigate their roles and connect with the overall narrative.
Character immersion: Character immersion is the process where an actor fully engages with their character, adopting their mindset, emotions, and physicality to create a believable performance. This deep connection allows the actor to experience the character’s world authentically, often leading to more powerful and nuanced portrayals. It involves understanding the character’s background, motivations, and relationships, making the performance resonate with authenticity.
Clarity of Intention: Clarity of intention refers to the clear and focused understanding of a character's goals and objectives within a performance. This concept is crucial in acting as it guides the actor's choices, actions, and emotional delivery, ensuring that their portrayal resonates with the audience and aligns with the narrative of the piece.
Classical acting: Classical acting refers to a style of performance that is rooted in the theatrical traditions of ancient Greece and Rome, emphasizing heightened language, formal techniques, and character-driven storytelling. This approach often involves a deep connection to the text, with actors using their voices and bodies to convey the emotional and thematic nuances of their roles. The principles of classical acting often serve as a foundation for modern acting techniques.
Cold reading: Cold reading is the practice of performing a reading of a script or monologue without prior preparation, allowing actors to demonstrate their ability to interpret text quickly and effectively. This skill is essential for auditions and performances where immediate interpretation is necessary, and it connects to selecting suitable material, using specific techniques to enhance performance, promoting oneself effectively, and understanding the professional landscape of acting.
Comic monologue: A comic monologue is a speech delivered by a single character that is intended to amuse the audience through humor, wit, and often exaggerated situations or characters. These performances allow the actor to showcase their comedic timing, delivery, and character interpretation, as they connect with the audience through laughter and relatable experiences. The effectiveness of a comic monologue depends on the choice of material and the actor's ability to bring the humor to life.
Dramatic monologue: A dramatic monologue is a speech delivered by a single character in a play, poem, or story that reveals their thoughts, feelings, and motivations to the audience. This form allows the character to express their inner conflicts and desires while engaging the audience directly, often providing insights into their personality and circumstances. The effectiveness of a dramatic monologue hinges on its selection, rehearsal, and performance.
Emotional range: Emotional range refers to the ability of an actor to express a wide variety of emotions convincingly and authentically. This skill is crucial for creating dynamic performances that resonate with audiences and can significantly impact character portrayal. A strong emotional range allows actors to transition smoothly between different feelings, enabling them to take on diverse roles and connect deeply with their characters and scenes.
Method acting: Method acting is an acting technique that encourages performers to draw on their own emotions and experiences to create authentic characters. This approach emphasizes deep emotional connection and psychological realism, allowing actors to immerse themselves in their roles, which often leads to a more believable and compelling performance.
Objectives: In acting, objectives refer to the specific goals or desires that a character aims to achieve within a scene or throughout a performance. These goals drive the character's actions and choices, influencing how they interact with others and navigate their circumstances. Understanding objectives helps actors connect with their characters on a deeper level, as well as bring authenticity to their performances by creating clear motivations and intentions.
Shakespeare: Shakespeare refers to William Shakespeare, a renowned English playwright and poet from the late 16th to early 17th century. His works are celebrated for their intricate character development, poetic language, and exploration of universal themes, making them a popular choice for monologues in acting. Shakespeare’s ability to capture human emotions and experiences allows actors to select powerful pieces that resonate with audiences.
Tennessee Williams: Tennessee Williams was an influential American playwright known for his deep understanding of human emotion and complex characters. His works often explore themes of desire, mental illness, and the struggles of individuals against societal norms. Williams' plays, such as 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and 'The Glass Menagerie', provide rich material for monologues that reveal character depth and emotional truth.
Theme relevance: Theme relevance refers to the significance and importance of a theme in a performance or script, helping to connect the emotional and narrative elements to the overall message. It plays a crucial role in guiding actors in their choices, particularly when selecting monologues that resonate with both the character and audience. Understanding theme relevance ensures that the chosen material enhances the storytelling experience and aligns with the emotional journey of the character.
Tragic theatre: Tragic theatre refers to a genre of performance that presents serious themes and explores profound human experiences, often focusing on the struggles, suffering, and inevitable downfall of its characters. This form of theatre typically evokes emotions such as pity and fear in the audience, ultimately leading to a cathartic experience. Central to tragic theatre is the idea that characters are often faced with moral dilemmas and their fates are shaped by a combination of personal choices and larger forces beyond their control.
Vocal Variety: Vocal variety refers to the use of different vocal elements, such as pitch, tone, volume, and speed, to enhance the expressiveness and emotional impact of speech or performance. This technique is essential for actors to convey character emotions and intentions effectively, making their performances more engaging and dynamic. By mastering vocal variety, actors can better connect with their audience and bring depth to their characters.