Choosing A Monologue

By Darryl Green

  • Choosing Your Monologue
    The most important component is your skill set……

    Choosing a monologue can be a tricky trade. The monologue you choose could make the difference between getting the part and getting the door. And, for actors who act as their principal means of income, knowing which monologue to pick could make the difference between eating and not eating. That’s why the monologue you choose has got to be the right one.

    Choosing a good monologue and choosing the right monologue are often two very different things. A “good” monologue may be full of drama and emotion, but it may not necessarily play to your skill set. On the other hand, a “bad” monologue may only be bad to people who don’t have the skills needed to pull it off. Believe it or not, there is a method to the madness. Behold the method.

    Showcase your talents…

    The most important thing to remember when choosing a monologue is that the monologue is only for the sole purpose of showcasing your talents. It serves no other point. You have 1-2 minutes to show the casting director what you’ve got and how you are able to connect with a character and “be” in that moment. That’s all they are looking for. Don’t make the same mistake many actors make and choose a monologue that only sounds good or one that someone else performed well.

    Remember, you want only to show the director what you’ve got. Trying to do something with a lot of sound and fury may signify nothing. And might get you nowhere.

    What are my skills?

    Before choosing a monologue, ask yourself, “What are my skills?” In other words, what do you do best? Do youhave a great speaking voice? Then why on earth would you choose a monologue with a lot of movement? Are you good when it comes to movement and physicality? Then why would you choose a monologue that requires you to sit down for its duration?

    Whatever you do well is what you want to highlight. Never mind whether or not it is a Shakespearean play, or whether or not it is challenging and dramatic. All you want to do is show the casting director that you have “it”.

    Don’t sweat the statistics!

    Don’t worry so much about the character’s vital statistics when choosing a monologue. Most people choose not to do a monologue if it doesn’t fit their age range or background. Of course, that is nonsense.

    Again, you are only there to showcase your talents. Who cares if the character you are playing is your age or not. That character, no matter what the age, may display the range of emotion that will allow you to do what you do best. So, if your character is 12 or 112, do it if you do it well!

    Race

    Race doesn’t really matter when choosing a monologue, unless of course the monologue is about race. For example, a white man should never do a monologue about being black. It is acceptable, however, for a white man to do the monologue of a black character, and vice versa.

    These types of monologues can be tricky, however, because of stereotypes. You certainly don’t want to “talk black” or “act white” or behave like a “northerner”. You may just leave a bad taste in every one’s mouth at the end of your performance. And it may overshadow the good job you just did.

    There are no small parts…

    Remember, there are no small parts, just small (minded) actors. IT IS OKAY FOR YOUR MONOLOGUE TO BE SIMPLE! It is always your job to make any part interesting. Don’t follow the misguided notion that your monologue has to be forceful or require you to yell or cry. Some of the best monologues have very little emotion in them at all. What is conveyed, however, in those “simple” monologues can be powerful, even explosive!

    Don’t forget, atom bombs come from atoms!

    Remember….

    The monologue doesn’t have to fit you perfectly. Casting directors are not looking for a monologue that is you with a different name. It’s not important for you to look like your character, behave like your character, or share your character’s race, religion, or background. What is important is that the monologue you choose to perform is the monologue that best showcases you talents.

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • 20 Good Acting Tips

    20 Good Acting Tips Important advice and tips every actor should know (By AM Staff) (Photo: Emre | Pexels) 1. You don’t have to make your acting performance “bigger” to make it memorable….

    What is a Commercial Headshot?

    What is a Commercial Headshot? The importance of a commercial headshot (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Marcelo Chagas | Pexels) A commercial headshot is an 8×10 photo that is designed to help an actor…

    14 Inspirational Quotes by Stella Alder

    14 Inspirational Quotes by Stella Alder Her powerful advice to actors… (Arranged by Carmichael Phillips) (Stella Adler) “No actor is a success unless he feels inside himself, as long as he lives, that…

    10 Tips for Making Bold Choices in Acting

    10 Tips for Making Bold Choices in Acting What it means to make acting choices (By AM Staff) (Photo: Klaus Nielsen | Pexels) Your character is screaming at her father who abandoned her…

    QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting?

    QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Edmond Dantes | Pexels) QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting? ANSWER: It’s never too late to start acting. There…

  • Ad

  • QUESTION: Should I Shoot My Own Headshots?

    QUESTION: Should I Shoot My Own Headshots? (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Min An | Pexels) QUESTION: Should I Shoot My Own Headshots? ANSWER: No! Do not shoot your own headshots. Leave the photography…

    Theatre Acting vs. Film Acting

    Theatre Acting vs. Film Acting What’s the main difference? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Erik Mclean/ Unsplash) The same habits you picked up as a theatre actor may cause you a lot of pain,…

    The First Rule for Acting

    The First Rule for Acting What is the most important thing in acting? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Towfiqu Barbhuiya | Pexels) What’s the first rule for acting? Don’t think about it. Just answer!…

  • Ad

  • 13 Words of Encouragement After a Bad Audition

    13 Words of Encouragement After a Bad Audition How to bounce back after a bad audition (By AM Staff) (Photo: Yan Krukau | Pexels) So, you had a bad audition? So, what!?!? You…

    How Do You Use Lighting for an Audition Self-Tape?

    How Do You Use Lighting for an Audition Self-Tape? Which kind of lighting is best for self-tapes (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ivan Samkov | Pexels) No matter how good your performance is, if…

    QUESTION: Should I Film My Self-Tape Vertically or Horizontally?

    QUESTION: Should I Film My Self-Tape Vertically or Horizontally? (By AM Staff) (Photo: George Milton | Pexels) QUESTION: Should I film my self-tape vertically or horizontally? ANSWER: Always shoot your self-tape horizontally. Always,…

    10 Phenomenal Actors Who Died in 2022

    10 Phenomenal Actors Who Died in 2022 (By AM Staff) The year 2022 flew by so fast! We hardly had a chance to enjoy it. We also hardly had time to celebrate the…

    Save $500 in 30 days!

    Save $500 in 30 days! Use this money challenge to save more money fast (By Jessica Baker) (Photo: Maitree Rimthong | Pexels) How much money is in your bank account right now? $400?…

  • Ad

  • What Questions Should You Ask an Agent?

    What Questions Should You Ask an Agent? 10 questions to prepare before an agent meeting (By AM Staff) (Photo: Shvets Production | Pexels) QUESTION: I am going to an agent meeting. They are…

    What is Improv?

    What is Improv? Is improv good for acting? (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Improv is short for improvisation or improvisational theatre. It is a type of theatrical performance that is unscripted….

    Demo Reel vs. Showreel: What is the Difference?

    QUESTION: Demo Reel vs. Showreel: What is the Difference? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Bruno Massao | Pexels) QUESTION: What is the difference between a demo reel and a showreel? ANSWER: A demo reel…

  • Ad

  • How Do You Network for Your Acting Career?

    How Do You Network for Your Acting Career? 5 tips for networking in the film industry (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Jopwell | Pexels) The best acting jobs don’t always go to the best…

    11 Inspirational Quotes by Meryl Streep

    11 Inspirational Quotes by Meryl Streep “Keep going. Start by starting.” ~ Meryl Streep (Arranged by Carmichael Phillips) “The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy. Empathy…

    What Should You NOT Do in a Demo Reel?

    What Should You NOT Do in a Demo Reel? 10 things to avoid when putting together your show reel (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ali Pazani | Pexels) Don’t do these 10 things when…

    Important Rules to Follow During an Audition

    Important Rules to Follow During an Audition What makes an audition successful? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Teja J | Pexels) 1. First, be happy that you got the audition. Whether you land the…

    10 Tips for Submitting Your Self-Tape Audition

    10 Tips for Submitting Your Self-Tape Audition What is a self-tape submission and how do I do it? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Beci Harmony | Unsplash) What should you do when you’re finally…

  • Ad