<p>I'm on my last monologue to choose (whoo!) and, though it's late in the game, it's my final classical piece. It has to be a tragedy, and I've decided that, though I love Shakespeare, I do NOT want to do a piece from Shakespeare.</p>
<p>One of my favourite plays in classical literature is John Webster's The White Devil, and I would really, really love to do a monologue from Vittoria.</p>
<p>HERE'S THE PROBLEM: I'm 17. Historically, Vitorria was around 28.</p>
<p>In contemporary monologues, the difference is noticeable. However, there's not much room for breadth in classical plays. For example, my comedic classical monologue is Portia from the Merchant of Venice. Porita is a great deal older than I am.</p>
<p>However, there are not a lot of 17 year old females in classical playwrighting (that AREN'T stupid, overdone (Juliet, cough), or just unusable, period).</p>
<p>Is the issue of age really something that matters when it comes to performing classical monologues, or will my performance make up for the discrepancy? I know these plays well enough to know the characters are not in my age range-- however, I am desperate and feel that, seeing as classical is a whole 'nother ballpark....</p>
<p>The main goal about the entire age thing is for them to gauge your believability as an actor. They obviously don’t want a young person playing a forty year old mother or a salesman at the end of his life. However, I wouldn’t fret if the character is supposed to be in their twenties - it’s far easier to let that slide in a stage audition at your age.</p>
<p>I think the fact that you are so passionate about the play will be good if the auditors ask you why you chose this monologue or other questions about the play. I would think that loving a part will also help you perform at your best, so go for it!</p>
<p>I don’t think that’s too bad at all. As long as there’s nothing in the monologue that suggests the age difference, you’re fine (that’s the rule I’ve always heard.)</p>
<p>I chose to do a Shakespeare for my classical comedic, and I’m doing Adriana from Comedy of Errors, who’s at least 30. But I ran into the same problem as you, it’s hard to find age-appropriate female monologues in Shakespeare that are not ridiculously overdone.</p>
<p>And, here’s probably the most important factor, how is this monologue as a representation of you? Does this adequately demonstrate your control of heightened text? And can you demonstrate control of poetic language/verse through one of your pieces? This is where an informed critical eye becomes very helpful. My question would be if you’re working with a coach and their opinion on it- if they feel you blow it out of the water, they will probably be in favor of it.</p>