Do not choose a monologue with violent behavior patterns and vulgarity. The auditors do not want to hear or see such a monologue. Show them talent, not a violent temper tantrum. Use your own judgement when it comes to content of a monologue. Would you like to sit in their place and watch you perform this monologue?
Contrasting monologues
What are contrasting monologues? Two completely different characters from two different plays and play genres. Make one a comedy and the other dramatic. One character may be slightly psychotic (if that fits your personality...) and the other character may be a complete Mamma's Boy. One character may be a love-struck fool, the other a hacker nerd who let loose a devious computer virus. Contrast is day and night. Not shades of gray. But if all you can presently do is romantic, love-struck fools, at least contrast those fools by who they are and by each character's situation.
Timing is everything
Keeping your monologues under the time limit is the way to go. If you run over, you will be stopped. They will not let you continue past the time period stated. Do not abuse this. To be honest, if you can give them great stuff in less time, the better. You do not have to use your full four minutes (or whatever) for your monologues. They will appreciate your brevity. Trust me on that one.
Cut your monologues for content
If your character is carrying on a conversation with some other character, cut it out. Try to choose a piece of the monologue where you are speaking to someone actively. Try to avoid "telling a story". There are a hundred and one monologues where the character is telling a story of what happened to them at a party, or on a hunting trip, or on the subway... you get the picture. Or worse, they are telling a story about what happened to someone else! Don't do it. It is boring. You want your character to be active, not sitting and telling a boring story (out of context) to some other character who is also probably bored. My advice: Stay away from them.
Read the play
Do not for a minute think that you will get away with not reading the play. That is how you prepare for the audition. You must read the play that your monologue comes from so that you will have an understanding of your character and the situation that your character is speaking about, or is involved with. And not just once for heck of it. Read the play again. And again. Study the relationships between your character and the others in the play. It will show like a red flag that you haven't read the play, believe me. The auditors will know if you have done your homework, or not. If you go into that audition with just a few lines from some character in some play and they ask you about the play or the character in the play (and they will!) you will regret it. The auditors will probably not wrestle you to the ground and pummel you, even though you would deserve it. You probably will not be called back. Read the play and study your character. This will give you a foundation to build your character around. Be prepared. Read the play!
Advice about monologue books
You see them on the shelves of all major bookstores: "1,000 Monologues for Young Actors" or "1997's Best Monologues for Women..." People will say many things about these books, such as: "Those monologues in those books are over-used. Do not use them... etc" My advice? Use them! There is nothing wrong with them. They are great sources to use to find a monologue that fits you, the actor. But here is the trick: Browse through the monologue books to find the best character that you can play, to show off your stuff; read the play that the monologue comes from; then you can choose another monologue from the same character within the play, or stick with your original choice. That way it isn't "over-used" and you may find a monologue that the auditors have not heard. Besides, you have to read the play anyway. You will find some really great monologues this way in a short period of time. Make sure that it is a monologue that you like. Nothing like going into an audition with material that you are uncomfortable performing. This is your audition. Choose your monologues well. These books are a great resource; so why not use them?
Please practice.
And I cannot emphasize this point enough: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! Sorry for shouting there, but I had to drill that in. The more comfortable you are performing your pieces, the better. Get used to performing your pieces. When you walk into that audition you must be ready to go at the drop of a hat. Forgetting your lines is bad, very bad. Practice.
The best monologues
Wanna know a secret? The best monologue you could ever choose for yourself is from the play or plays in which you have just recently performed. Hunh? Didn't think of that one, did you. If you happen to have been in a play or are currently in one, why not use a monologue from the character you are portraying? You've been working on it for weeks, performing in front of a live audience, use it! All the work has been done already, just get up and "perform" your snippet for the auditors. Also, put that monologue in your repertoir to pull out at a later date.
A Monologue Repertoir...
Here is a nifty bit of advice: Keep a file of every monologue you ever work on, and keep it handy. A professional actor has is best "eight minutes" ready to go at anytime. Start building your repertoire today. Keep it fresh by working in new monologues and retiring older ones.
In the room
There will be any number of auditors present at the audition. They will have smiles on their faces, or maybe not. Be friendly and personable. Introduce yourself to them. Make eye contact with them. Do not offer to shake hands unless they offer their hands to you. If names are given, remember them.
Walk into the room with confidence. Introduce yourself. If they ask questions before you begin smile, relax and answer them. Take your time. Present yourself well. This is your time and your audition. They want you to do well!
After introducing yourself, and maybe some questions, announce what monologues you have chosen to perform. After you announce the second one, take the briefest of seconds and begin. Do not turn around with your back to them, or bow your head to "compose" yourself. You are a prepared actor. Actors on stage, while performing, do not turn their backs to "compose" themselves, and neither should you. You should have yourself "composed" and ready to go the moment you come in the door. Prepare yourself outside in the hallway before you enter. When you come to the end of your second monologue make a definite finish. Say "Thank You" and smile. This is the polite way of auditioning.
Relax
You have finished your audition and on your way home. Relax and put it out of your mind. Do not worry about how you did. The audition is over. If you were well prepared, which I hope you will be, then there is nothing you have to worry about. Do your best the first time. That way the only thing you will have to worry about is which offer, of many, you are going to accept!
