<p>Hi!
I'm auditioning for several schools in early February and am trying to get a head start on choosing my monologues. I need two contemporary and two classical. I have found a monologue by Chekhov that I love; is he considered contemporary or classical? The date says 1912 and I am unsure as to which category to place this piece in. Also, if anyone has any suggestions on contemporary monologues, that would be incredibly appreciated.
Thank you!!</p>
<p>It's considered contemporary.</p>
<p>Is there a standard to use to determine the difference? Era, century?</p>
<p>So, it is most definitely contemporary? The monologue is from Ivanov...
What's the standard?</p>
<p>I used Chekhov (from Uncle Vanya) for my classical monologue at CMU last year, and it was fine by them as far as I remember. I think it can go either way, classical or contemporary.</p>
<p>It should say on their website. I know one said "We define contemporary as anything written after 1920."
So it really depends on the school.</p>
<p>I feel like Chekhov pieces can go either way.
I like to think that they are contemporary because his stuff pretty much came at the turn into a more modern, contemporary acting style. </p>
<p>I feel like for auditions asking for a classical piece would be interested to see how you handle the verse and the heighteded language.</p>
<p>Usually, Chekhov is considered contemporary. Usually when schools want to hear "classical text" they are looking to see how you handle heightened language, and while Checkov uses tons of imagery, its not necessarily heightened.</p>
<p>Good Authors to look at for classical text: Shakespeare, Moliere, Euripides, Sophocles, Marlowe, etc... but you really can't go wrong with Shakespeare.</p>
<p>The Main rule is to follow what the specific schools want because there is no definitive answer to this question. The schools will let you know, and are often very specific. </p>
<p>Myself.....I use Chekhov as the dividing point between Classical and Modern. I count him as classical, but it can go either way.</p>
<p>If I may offer a friendly disagreement with the above post... I think you most certainly CAN go wrong with Shakespeare... and more often than not in my opinion... First of all you have to find age appropriate Shakespeare. This leads to overdone pieces. Unless you can really pull off Shakespeare.. or unless they specifically ask for it, I would stay away from it.
It's a big trap. It exposes weaknesses more dramatically.</p>
<p>I do agree with the above post about good authors to look at.... I love the Restoration plays... there are tons of monologues in them.... The Greek plays are also a big source... and I think a more interesting choice</p>