<p>So there may be a post about this already but I had trouble finding what I was looking for. </p>
<p>I'm going to be a senior next year and was wondering some things about the audition monologues.
1. As far as classical/shakespeare monologues go what are some to stay away from due to the fact that the auditioners hear it done 500 times. I prefer one that is lesser known.
2. Does the monologue have to be from a published play/movie? I do an acting workshop with a director who also writes. He has written some amazing monologues that I am very comfortable with and I was wondering if they could be used in auditions, even though they aren't from a play. </p>
<p>Any other advice is acceptable :) thanks!</p>
<p>Most schools only want monologues that come from published plays. I would not opt to use a monologue that someone wrote as a monologue, nor monologues from collections that were just written for a collection. Colleges will typically ask you about the play from which your monologue came in fact. So, this is a basic rule of thumb. Sorry!</p>
<p>Thanks. I knew about classical pieces but I wasn’t sure about comedies! To the book store I go. Thanks.</p>
<p>One thing I remember reading on the boards here when my D was auditioning this past season was that you really do not need or even want to look for something unique - they are interested in what *you *can do with the material. One poster even suggested that it is distracting for the auditioners if you do material they’ve never heard/seen before!</p>
<p>Also, it was emphasized that you should stick with something in your age range.</p>
<p>Some overdone monologues/characters-juliet balcony scene, ophelia, “quality of mercy”, from merchant of venice, anything from"the Star-Spangled girl" or “odd couple” female version. </p>
<p>Regardless of whether it’s overdone or not, if it’s the perfect monologue for you, then do it. But you need to make sure you can really rock the monologue(this is a general rule for ANY monologue you do, but exspecially if you choose a really common one).</p>
<p>What you choose needs to come from play unless they specifically state otherwise, and pay close attention to time limits. Also, they’ll often tell you what time period they want your peice/s from.</p>
<p>Doesn’t really matter if it’s obscure but it DOES matter that a person who has never read the play or heard about it will understand what’s happening in your monologue. </p>
<p>Try to avoid pieces that have excessive foul language for no reason-if it’s neccesary then don’t worry about it, but if it seems like the author was just throwing the words in there for effect, then it’s probaly not a very good playwright.</p>
<p>Thanks, that’s helpful!</p>