Picking Out the Perfect Audition Monologue

I’ve definitely caught the acting bug and have been auditioning a lot more lately! At every audition, I learn something new, which is great because I’m always trying to polish my skills. You may find that a director may ask you to do a brief monologue if the script isn’t available. Nerve wracking because with a monologue, you don’t have an auditioning “partner”, and you’re on your own. This type of audition can be one of the most difficult to pull off, so it’s super important to be prepared and choose a monologue that not only shows off your talent and skill and is appropriate for the part you’re going after. Here are my tips to pick out the perfect monologue:

1. Select something entertaining. You want to shine right? Well, no matter how good of an actor you are, if the monologue is dull or boring, chances are you will not leave a lasting impression. Choose a piece you love doing and that others will love watching you perform.

2. Find your fit. At every audition, you’ve got to show who you are, so be true to yourself! I always choose pieces that are age-appropriate and fit my type and range.

3. Include a storyline. Never do a monologue that is one-note and only shows limited emotion. Choose a monologue that has a story with twists and turns and shows different types of emotion.

4. Keep it short and sweet. I’ve quickly learned that most directors, agents, etc. make up their minds about an actor in 10 seconds or less! Not to mention, they see tons of actors at every audition. Stay within their attention span, and never go longer than two minutes.

5. Add an element of surprise. Boring auditions make for a bored audience. At some point during your monologue, unexpectantly change your mood or voice. This element of surprise will keep everyone on their toes and make them look forward to what is next.

6. Find the right balance of funny and serious. I like to add a little bit of funny to a serious monologue and a bit of serious to a funny one. The goal is to both show a range of emotion and keep the audience entertained. A bit of humor and authentic emotion seems to do the trick.

7. Avoid well-known pieces performed by famous actors. While it may be tempting to go with a well-known piece (especially if it’s one of your favorites!), this rarely goes over well at an audition. You don’t want to be compared to someone who’s already a star. Instead, find a likeable character and put your own spin on a monologue.

Do you love acting? Have any audition tips for kids or interesting experiences with choosing monologues? Please email me or share on Katrina Kusa’s Facebook page!