<p>Hello, everybody! I figured this would be as good of time as any to ask this, since I know how supportive you all are, and I could really use some guidance. I know the monologue search process is highly independent, and I respect that, but I feel as though I've hit a wall. </p>
<p>I've absolutely devoured every single play I could get my hands on, and, while I have found some interesting possibilities, I must be looking in the wrong places. I've been scouring the drama bookshop for titles and reading bunches of free samples on playscripts, but I can't seem to find the 'right' one! I kind of imagine finding the perfect monologue as finding your soulmate; you just know. But I fear I haven't truly had that feeling yet, which is a bit concerning, as I realize how soon I should be picking these out. </p>
<p>So, with that being said, I'd just appreciate any amount of help. I know what I'm asking for is rather vague/a lot, but, really, whether it's a tidbit of advice to consider when finding/looking for monologues, or even so much as a specific playwright/title to start with, I am all ears. I'm sorry to bother all! If you could help me out even the slightest, I'd love you to pieces!</p>
<p>Your monologue should fit your type, which we don’t have any way of knowing here. We don’t even know your gender. I don’t know that anyone has any quicker way of finding a good monologue than by reading a whole lot of plays, or knowing someone else who has.</p>
<p>I will recommend the playwright Theresa Rebeck. She is very prolific, and her plays are published in volumes that you should be able to get from your local library system. She is great at writing for younger characters, of many types, male and female. She has written so many plays that I can’t imagine too many of her characters are overdone yet.</p>
<p>I guess my first question would be “What is WRONG with the monologues in the plays you have been reading? What about them makes them ‘not right’?”.</p>
<p>I suspect you may indeed be looking in the “wrong places”, and maybe you need to try looking at a completely different group of playwrights.</p>
<p>Thank you for the playwright suggestion! I’m sorry for being so vague–I understand that it’s certainly hard to recommend material for this sort of thing. (Especially when you don’t know the person!) I’ve been so focused on avoiding the ‘overdone’ lists that I’m afraid I’m kind of like veering too far off the path, if that makes sense? The majority of the potential monologues I’ve seen are all very story-telling, which, while I’m not entirely opposed to them and they’re very well written, are no-nos for obvious reasons. I’m also super worried about finding one that suits my ‘type’ well, but that’s another worry altogether.</p>
<p>I’m sorry I’m not being super helpful! But really, I’m mostly just looking for general tips. What helped you the most when narrowing down your monologues/finding them? Like, what sources were best, or what did you use as criteria to search for? </p>
<p>Again, so sorry for the broad question, but thank you both for helping anyway! :))</p>
<p>I know that some people will tell you to avoid monologue books in favour of reading plays - however there are many good ones out there. You just have to make sure that the monologue book contains monologues from respected/well-known plays as supposed to monologues created by authors you’ve never heard of for the sole purpose of auditions. I went to my local library and spent the whole day going through 6+ monologue books, flagging the pages of the ones that I liked. Once I did that I narrowed my choices down and then read the entire play/other plays by the same playwright I had discovered suited me. Eventually I found the ‘perfect one’. The best advice is not to rush the decision process, or to settle for something that you don’t feel suits you - as that will most certainly show in the audition.</p>
<p>The monologue books (and the “overdone” lists) can also point you to plays that have a character in your age bracket. You may find you can create a monologue from another section of the play.</p>
<p>There is value in your frenzied reading of plays, too!</p>
<p>Using monologue books to identify good playwrights, and then NOT using the monologue in the book but instead using a different monologue by the same playwright is a good idea. I think (and hope) that’s what zoenatasha was suggesting.</p>
<p>Storytelling monologues aren’t necessarily automatically “bad”. Because something else might be going on in the subtext while the speaker is speaking. Rarely do you find a monologue that is just narrative or exposition (but sometimes you do). Usually there is something else going on. Often the speaker is talking about some sort of important experience in their past that really affected them and continues to affect them. These sorts of monologues are incredible when performed well.</p>
<p>Yes, that is exactly what I was suggesting. </p>
<p>Regarding story-telling monologues there is a danger of your voice becoming monotonous and a tendency to speak the words as though you are reading out loud, as supposed to acting the meaning. It does vary depending on the story but, as a general rule, I would say to stay away from story-telling monologues unless you are absolutely confident in the execution and you are able to truly show the depth of your talent through the performance.</p>
<p>I will suggest the two things that have really helped me. First of all, the most comprehensive and up to date is on [url=<a href=“http://www.monologueaudition.com%5Dwww.monologueaudition.com%5B/url”>http://www.monologueaudition.com]www.monologueaudition.com[/url</a>] (the site’s owner is a friend of mine and was a mentor through my process, but she knows her stuff). Secondly, if you are having trouble, a monologue coaching session can actually open your eyes to material you may not have considered before. I ended up using Prudence Holmes by Skype, but I have about three other coaches on my list as well, depending on how much you want to spend for the service(I had to go toward the cheaper end). Feel free to pm me if you would like the names of the coaches.</p>
<p>On Theresa Rebeck, you really need to be careful because a lot of her characters are actors, which is a big mistake in a major audition. This is one thing I have learned over a few years.</p>
<p>Original Message "Your monologue should fit your type, which we don’t have any way of knowing here. We don’t even know your gender. I don’t know that anyone has any quicker way of finding a good monologue than by reading a whole lot of plays, or knowing someone else who has.</p>
<p>I will recommend the playwright Theresa Rebeck. She is very prolific, and her plays are published in volumes that you should be able to get from your local library system. She is great at writing for younger characters, of many types, male and female. She has written so many plays that I can’t imagine too many of her characters are overdone yet."</p>
<p>Again, thank you all so much for all your help! I know my non-specificity totally makes it hard to rec things, but thanks for bearing with me. I’ve thankfully found my monologues, and am now working hard on them! Thank you all!</p>
<p>Chimerical96, if you found any particular strategy especially helpful, please say so – we know there are many lurkers reading these threads who can benefit.</p>
<p>Absolutely! To be honest, playscripts.com and the Drama Bookshop lists of various best plays and plays to read and such really helped me. I found it also very helpful to start with the overdone material and then to start refining my search more and more. Good luck to everyone else!!</p>
I’ve thankfully found my monologues, and am now working hard on them! Thank you all!</p>
Good luck to everyone else!!</p>