Two contrasting monologues for college?

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

I’m planning to minor in theatre, and so I’m sending arts supplements to some (if not all) of the schools I’m applying to. I have to prepare two contrasting monologues and I think I found the ones that I’m going to perform. I’m just feeling uncertain and would like some input on my choices.

The first one is Estelle’s monologue from Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialist play No Exit
http://notmyshoes.net/monologues/estelle.html

The second one is Jillian’s monologue from Gabriel Davis’s dark comedy play Goodbye Charles
http://www.monologuegenie.com/ate-divorce-papers-monologue.html

Thanks!

2

You might want to have something classical in your back pocket as well.

3

@Jkellynh17 so maybe something from Sophocles or Shakespeare, then?

4

I think the Sartre one is considered classical…

5

Shakespeare is the most common choice, but Moliere, Marlowe, Goldsmith, Sheridan, Webster, Congreve,Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripedes, Lope de Vega, Calderon, Goldoni would all be alternatives. No Exit was first produced in 1944, so while a very interesting play not classical.

6

Okay, thanks! I think I’ll get rid of the second monologue, then, in favor of something more classical.

7

No, don’t do that. If they don’t specifically ask for a classical monologue, you might want to prepare one as an extra is all I’m saying. It is very, very common for auditioners to ask “Do you have anything else prepared?” after you’ve finished your two. My son had four, one comic contemporary, one dramatic contemporary, one comic classical, one dramatic classical. (Actually by the time he was done he had a couple of dramatic classical monologues.) Some schools will ask specifically for classical, others will outright forbid them. Read the guidelines of the schools you’re auditioning and be prepared if they ask for more.

8

All the guidelines specified was that I needed two contrasting monologues. I’m not auditioning in person, though, I am submitting this as a supplement for my application. I suppose I can just contact the schools and find out…

9

Oh well, then you’re probably fine, and they can’t ask you for more if it’s not in person.