monologues - 2006/12/05 08:26Hello I am pretty new here! So i've been singing for quite a while but just recently started taking professional lessons. now I want to audition for some college musical theatre programs, and I'm not sure what to use for a monologue! I realize I need to read plays, but the thing is, I dont know what to read! Whenever I post these kinds of questions, people just say read plays. its a little hard when you dont know what to look for. I have a couple books of monologues that are apparently from plays but I just cant find the plays anywhere other than buying them online. which i am willing to do, i just cant buy a million plays just to find monologues! could anyone please help me? I've searched the database on this website which was a little helpful. I'm just new to the monologue thing. I've done acting before but i guess it was so laid back, we didnt need monologues. i know its sounds silly but I have to start somewhere!!!
KatieThere's a place for us..
Currently rehearsing... -Pirates of Penazance-Edith, Mabel understudy -student written musical
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blacktearedapril
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Re:monologues - 2006/12/05 15:49Well, the first thing you need to do is find out the requirements for auditions. I.E., length, time period, genre, etc. Chekov has some nice ones scattered throughout his plays, though I can't really make any specific suggestions because I don't know what you're looking for. For dramatic monologues, Antigone is a marvelous play with some beautiful dramatic female ones. I actually may be using one of them for my auditions in February.
Also look throughout Shakespeare for classical monologues. The Nurse has two good ones in Romeo and Juliet, though that character may be a bit old for you. Overdone as she may be, Lady Macbeth is also a nice character.
For a bit of a lighter touch, look at Liza's monologues in both My Fair Lady and her original dramatic appearance in Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. Shaw has quite a few good female characters, so scan throughout his works.
Good luck! Let me know if there's anything else I can do!
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Starlet_Actress21
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Re:monologues - 2006/12/05 17:16Yes, Chekov has some good (though depressing) monologues. A good play for monologues is The Seagull. It has scads of them.
I get some of my monologues out of books. Some theatres will be picky and insist that they come from a play, but others let you use pretty much anything.
I would advise you not to use Shakespeare unless it's that "type" of play. People, in my area at least, beg you not to use Shakespeare.Auditioning for: school drama club cabaret show
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qtkt2041
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Re:monologues - 2006/12/05 19:31thanks i'll check those out! well since i'm auditioning for a school, there is no type of show so i dont know if that makes a difference. i basically need two contrasting monologues around 1.5 min, but it specifically said no classical. Thank you!There's a place for us..
Currently rehearsing... -Pirates of Penazance-Edith, Mabel understudy -student written musical
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triplethreat
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Re:monologues - 2006/12/05 20:37Hi Katie, welcome to the site!
In order to properly select plays that are likely to have monologues that will be right for you, it is important to first consider your age and "type". What plays are likely to contain characters that fall into this category?
If you have a drama teacher privately or at school, he or she should be an excellent resource.
Libraries are also a great help - even if your local one doesn't have much in the way of plays, they can usually arrange a loan from another library.
And use those monologue books - although the monologues in them can tend to be overdone, they are a great way to start as there are often other good monologues from that same play. So if you see a monologue you like from the book, reading the rest of the play is an excellent idea.
The reality is, in order to find a really great monologue you ARE going to have to do a lot of reading. The ones most easily found are the ones everyone else has found too. But concentrating on your age and type will help keep you focused. Finding a great monologue for a 40 year old woman doesn't do you much good at the age of 16!
(And by the way, one of the biggest complaints from college audition panels is that students don't choose pieces that are appropriate for their age and life experience, so keep that in mind!)
Playdatabase.com might be a good start for you, as you can search plays by a number of criteria. Good luck!_____________ Kris MTA Admin
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