<p>Hey everyone, I'm now going into the home stretch of my auditions with my last three in March. I've gotten one rejection so far and I'm waiting to hear from the other school if I got into the program and academically.</p>
<p>I had to change my two monologues due to different requirements of my last schools. Anyways I think a major problem with my monologue delivery is that I don't know what to do with my body. I get urges to do things and ideas while rehearsing, however I always have the voice in the back of my head telling me that I shouldn't move too much (like I would in an actual performance) because they should see my face from a primarily straight on direction.</p>
<p>My one dramatic monologue I'd really like to start off kneeling, like in prayer and then move up from there. I'd make sure that my face doesn't move out of view too much. But would that be too much movement for an audition room situation? I'm not gonna be jumping around doing cartwheels or anything...but for some reason I always feel so limited to what I can and can't do.</p>
<p>Is there an acting coach or someone you who is qualified and can help you? No one auditioning for these programs should be staging their monologues alone! You need help..... everyone does..... </p>
<p>Unfortunately no and I don't really have the means to do so either. The most "audition technique" training I had was primarily for songs during musical theater auditions. Never really had any strict monologue training...much scene work, but not monologues.</p>
<p>We asked that question to 6 theater/actor types. 5 said definitely move as you showing the choices you make is what acting is all about. One said don’t waste the body movement it is distracting. Two of the schools we auditioned for specifically stated that they wanted movement in the monologue. I would say go with your instinct, as you say its not like your planning cartwheels.</p>
<p>I'm dismayed by this thread. WallyWorld, you actually had someone tell you not to WASTE body movement because it's distracting? Seriously?????</p>
<p>There are some monologues best delivered while standing still. There are some monologues that absolutely SCREAM for movement. This issue of being able to see your face is a red herring. On-camera actors have to worry about going out of frame. It's very typical for an on-camera actor to ask about the frame to get a sense for what they can do. Stage actors use their entire bodies, their voices, and anything else they can enlist to communicate with the audience.</p>
<p>What sort of character is this and what sort of moment? </p>
<p>Are you SURE you don't know a professional actor, or know someone who knows someone who does? I'll bet you can get your parents to work their network. If so, do it.</p>
<p>Yes, seriously! and that person happens to have an MFA in acting from the University of WA and a fair number of equity points. It seems obvious to me as a person with zero acting talents that you would want to make movement choices but that was his oppinion.</p>
<p>The character is Joan of Arc in Henry VI. I think I'm just going to do what Wally suggested and go with my instincts. I constantly go against my instincts, trying to do what people always advise and making sure I follow "the rules" I think that may be holding me back a lot of times.</p>
<p>My parents are not artsy at all and neither are any of their friends. As for myself, I do know a few professional actors, however I don't like to be the eager acting student asking questions and favors all the time, even though a few have found out about my goals and offered to help. They're busy people with wives/husbands, children and lives outside of their careers. If one of them taught privately, then that would obviously be a different story. I've been recommended by them to acting schools and places to take classes in NYC. However, I don't live in NYC and while it is only a 3 hour bus ride it still costs money to get there and money to take these classes.</p>
<p>Ask! Ask! If you lived near me, I would be more than happy to help. In fact, it would make my day. Most people like to help others. It makes us feel good. I've helped many young people, and so has my wife. We like it. Most people do.</p>
<p>I'm with Tarhunt! Ask! Your mono can't be more than two minutes long and most professional actors would give far more than that to help an aspiring young actor/actress. He or she will be flattered!</p>
<p>BreakIntoSong, I always tell my own D that it never hurts to politely and respectfully ask for assistance/advice/help. The very worst thing that can happen is that the person will say "no." The usual (and best) outcome is that the person will not only say "yes," but be complimented that you respect him or her enough to want that advice. Many of us older folks :) actually enjoy helping those younger than ourselves and who knows? You may find yourself with a new mentor. Many years ago, as a high school student, I met (socially) a newspaper editor. I asked him if he would mind giving me some advice and as a result, he mentored me throughout college and saw to it that I got an interview for an internship at the large city newspaper where he worked. As a result of that internship, I got a job when I graduated. My grandma used to say that little seeds are the beginnings of great oaks. Corny, I know. But true! Good luck.</p>
<p>you have to do whatever is natural for you. i've been told that, with monologues, the auditioners want to see not only your acting ability, but more importantly, they want to see YOU. i think that going with your instinct, and being natural is a really important thing. right now i am stage managing for a play, "little women". it's my first time in a different sort of "role"...in other words, i am usually onstage. anyway, i am learning so much by watching the actors in this production...it's amazing to observe people in rehearsal. anyway, our director is attemtping to get more natural movements and speaking out of the actors. it's interesting...i would say don't try to "act" too much, and maybe this will help you figure out what movements to do. as the people in little women relax and grow more natural, incredibly, they become more of a character. the process is so fascinating, and i hope i was able to explain in some small measure what I am learning.</p>