Where to even begin, when preparing for an audition that requires a monologue? It can feel overwhelming, figuring out how to find a piece – where to look, what to look for – and then you have the seemingly daunting task of turning the written words on a page into a living, breathing performance – because that’s what an audition is, a performance.
First, know that preparing a monologue audition takes time. A good formula for calculating how much time is one hour of rehearsal for every minute the audition will be long. Most auditions request a minute and a half to three minute package (usually a song and a monologue, or two monologues). That means you need to plan to spend an hour and a half to three hours rehearsing your audition package. And that’s the time you’ll spend once you find the appropriate piece(s).
Secondly, know that digging around on the internet until you find something “good enough,” or flipping through monologue books until you find something “that will do” is not a path to a successful audition. You will also need to devote some time to reading and researching to find an appropriate piece for you and the situation. Are there times that flipping through a monologue book will work? Sure! But if pursuing acting in any serious way, one of the first skills you will need to master is finding the right monologue for you, now, for this audition.
This summer, I am offering several opportunities to cultivate the skills needed for a successful monologue audition, in a workshop and series of classes cunningly titled “The Monologue Audition.”
On June 1st, a four-hour workshop is available for a crash course in preparing and presenting a monologue.
June 1st, 9 AM – 1 PM
Throughout June, and again in July, there are two time slots each week for an acting masterclass, during which your focus can be the monologue audition. Students will need to commit to four consecutive classes. The masterclass is an opportunity to get individualized attention for you and your goals, but within a collaborative structure with others; theatre and film are collaborative art forms, and I believe the best way to develop your skills is to do so with others.
Session 1A: June 3, 10, 17, 24
5-6 PM
Session 1B: June 3, 10, 17, 24
6-7 PM
Session 2A: July 8, 15, 22, 29
5-6 PM
Session 2B: July 8, 15. 22. 29
6-7 PM
All classes will take place at my home studio in Louisville, Kentucky.
If you are considering upcoming auditions for school or community productions, or you are facing auditions in the next year for college or advanced acting programs, these workshops and classes will empower you to enter the audition room with confidence.