<p>I'm finalizing my pieces for 2015 BFA auditions; I've had several coaching sessions with two of my college professors - I'm a sophomore in college looking to transfer - and they both have different answers to one particular audition material question, and at this time I'm still not sure what to do. </p>
<p>I feel really strongly about using a FEMALE Shakespeare monologue to one of the schools I'm applying to: Juilliard (auditioned last year; called back same day; no callback weekend). I'm 20. MALE, if that wasn't obvious. </p>
<p>What are you guys' thoughts on it? Too risky? Might work? I have classical backups, of course. But as a main piece? :) </p>
<p>Can you explain more about why you “feel really strongly” about it? I hope that doesn’t sound dismissive. Obviously you know that you’re supposed to use material that you could be cast in, so it would help to know your reasons for taking a big risk. By the way, what kind of program are you in now?</p>
<p>I’m a sophomore at UCSB; originally planned on majoring in communications. I’ve realized that a BFA is really what I want, so I’m looking to transfer. </p>
<p>Yes, about the monologue… I just honestly have a strong emotional connection to the text of the monologue. It’s something I would want to say, words I would use. The objectives of the character is very clear to me than any other Shakespeare piece I’ve encountered. Also, I read for the part in a modernized workshop of the play; set in the 1990’s, between two gay men. </p>
<p>It’s hard to imagine without really naming the piece, so I guess I’ll just name it. It’s one of Juliet’s monologues.</p>
<p>It seems to me that you are taking a risk, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but you should be aware of it. There are, as you know, really a lot of people auditioning, so anything that makes you stand out could be a positive. However, it could also mark you as someone who can’t follow directions, doesn’t care about rules, etc. Could you try it an early low-stakes audition and see how it goes? If you’re brilliant, you can get away with breaking some rules. Are you brilliant? (It sounds like you’re at least pretty good if you got a Julliard callback.) </p>
<p>Argh, I’m just not close enough to the situation to give you any good advice. My gut instinct would be to have it in reserve (as a third monologue, perhaps) for that “Can you give us something else?” moment, which often happens. But I’m not a risk taker. And perhaps you may feel that either a program really wants you for who you are, or you don’t want <em>them</em> (did that make sense?). Good luck with a tough decision–at least you are giving it serious thought! I hope you’ll let us know what you decide and how it all plays out.</p>
<p>Here’s a little something which I don’t know if it means anything. Emerson wants the kids to NOT do a Shakespeare monologue. A girl waiting in the room with my D talked her into doing hers anyway. Inside I was screaming “Follow directions…don’t buck the system”. Both girls went in and did their Shakespeare even though they weren’t supposed to. One got into Emerson, the other didn’t. Not sure if this is helpful. Good luck. My gut says gender bend it. I think it sets you apart and that is so important. </p>
<p>My gut says don’t do it. Part of the selection of monologues is understanding yourself and saying something about yoursefl in terms of casting. Why do a piece you’d never get cast in? Though if you really want to do this you could apply to Guthrie – they ask you to do a monologue that you’d never get cast in. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t go so far as that Flossy. All Shakespeare monolgues are overdone so if a girl connects with a Juliet, I would say go for it. Jessica Chastain got into Juilliard doing gallop a pace. My daughter did gallop a pace as well for certain auditions. I remember Fishbowl commenting that someone at Juilliard got in doing the balcony scene. </p>
<p>@ActingDad Yeah, I know I was overstating slightly. But, here’s the thing. Most 17-year olds are not yet ready to be compared to Jessica Chastain. It’s much safer not to do such a well known piece. That was my reasoning. And, nobody will ever convince me it’s the best choice for a male. Sure, it MIGHT work. But, if it does I’m thinking he would have gotten in whatever he did. Actually, I do kind of think it’s the actor that gets in not the monologue. This comes up constantly with my own MT child and her constant search for the perfect song. I’m becoming convinced there is no such thing. Geez, just sing and be awesome. Somebody always gets picked singing the wrong thing anyway. That’s my 2 cents for today.</p>
<p>All of you guys’ thoughts and replies are greatly appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to post your comments! </p>
<p>@Jkellynh17 I’m not at all brilliant. And I do agree in that tons of people audition; standing out may not be a bad thing. But then again, I’m also concerned that that might make the auditioners raise questions about my intentions. They might think that I’m doing it to stand out, and not that I’m doing it because the speech holds something truthful for me as a person.</p>
<p>@times3 Yes, that is the other plan. Do a different one, and then do Juliet if they ask. I’m sure, though, that they know what they want in an actor and they’ll see it whether or not the actor uses a piece he or she could actually be cast in the role. </p>
<p>@bisouu One of Juilliard’s Group 42 graduates said in a video on the Juilliard YouTube channel that he auditioned with a piece that he said he was sure he wasn’t going to get cast in (the role called for someone much older), but did it anyway because he had a connection to the text.</p>
<p>@actingdad I mean, if there was modernized adaptation of the play, I could get cast in it. R+J’s forbidden love storyline could be adapted to the forbidden love between two men. Broadway did an interracial relationship adaptation. </p>
<p>@flossy I don’t think there is a perfect monologue for me unless it’s coming from me, my thoughts and all. “Geez, just sing and be awesome.” :)</p>
<p>Honestly, thank you so much for your replies, guys! </p>
<p>I am not a risk taker either, but I think if you feel a strong connection to the part you should strongly consider doing it. I disagree that you’d never get cast in this. I’ve seen all-male productions of Shakespeare—one just ended on B’way in fact. As was done in Shakespeare’s time, the man can play a straight woman; or he can play a gay man in love with a man. Make sure you know your Juliet’s gender when you do this monologue. </p>
<p>I also disagree about doing Juliet. It is indeed risky to do Juliet as it’s just done a lot, and badly. But if you feel a strong connection and feel confident, I don’t see why not. My own kids have done overdone monologues successfully. The only thing I’d suggest is that your other monologues are not overdone.</p>
<p>Honestly, just do whatever you’re passionate about. It will show. And if you feel passionate about the material you probably already have a connection to it somehow. BUT (and sorry if you answered this already, I’m not really in the mood for reading all the replies) if you’re only passionate about it because you like the idea of gender-bending, don’t do it. If you are attracted to the content, than YES GO FOR IT.</p>
<p>As for Juliet being overdone - it doesn’t matter. The people that will be auditioning you have probably been doing this for years and have seen all of Shakespeare’s monologues performed more than once for sure. Heck, they probably even have most of them memorized. Nothing that you get from Shakespeare, no matter how “obscure” someone says it is, is going to be new and unheard of. So go for good material.</p>
<p>I say do it. If a school doesn’t want you because of your artistic choices that you love and that you feel really show YOU as a performer, then you weren’t meant to be there anyway. </p>
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