classical monolouges?

Question

Could anyone cite classical monolouges that are extremely rare and rarely used for auditions? If possible please cite where to get it and better yet where to get it on the intternet free!

Suffice it to say, that when auditioning for Shakespeare, works of his own are almost out of the question?... Right?

Answer 1

A nice aspect of classical pieces is that you can find the texts for free online. Although you're more likely find an "extremely rare" piece if you look to another author (like Marlowe or the Greeks), by "classical monologues" I'm going to assume you're looking for Shakespeare.

Shakespeare-monologues.org is a great source of speeches, although it doesn't let you know if pieces are over-done. In general, the histories and the problem plays are less used than the most popular tragedies and comedies.

Some useful books:
"Speak the Speech" is a collection of monologues (nice great textual and performance notes and an audition frequency scale) as well as a general guide for how to approach acting Shakespeare.
The "Alternative Shakespeare Auditions for [Men/Women]" collections offer selections that are used less--and on amazon.com you can read the table of contents for free, you'll just miss out on the commentary.

However, don't be afraid to use a famous speech--they tend to be used a lot because the material is better! Just be confident in your text (as your auditors will recognize your textual errors) and then make it your own.

EDIT: When you audition for Shakespeare, then one of his monologues is prefered (otherwise use another English Renaissance writer). You should avoid using a piece from the play you're auditioning for, unless you're specifically asked to use one. Find a piece that shows you can handle the style of the play--comedy for comedy, tragedy for tragedy, and match the verse/prose pattern of the play.

I'd be happy to make specific suggestions if you say what play/role you're auditioning for!

Answer 2

A few things:

1) I highly recommend that you steer clear of Greek Tragedy. Your text is only going to be as good as your translation, and good PLAYABLE English-language versions of these shows are few and far between. 90% of the time, when you're asked to perform a Classical monologue, "Classical" = Shakespearean verse. Believe me, there are literally DOZENS of good and serviceable Shakespearean monologues that are inrequently performed.

2) Before recommending anything specific, I'd need a bit more information. How old are you? Is this a general audition, or are you auditioning for a specific production? How long is the piece supposed to be?

Feel free to e-mail me, if you'd like some more personalized suggestions.

Answer 3

I would suggest you take a look at GREEK plays. They are classical pieces, very juicy pieces, and not overplayed like Shakespeare. Some of my favorites are Electra, The Birds, Agamemmnon, Hippolytus, Medea, Orestes, The Trojan Women, Antigone, The Frogs, and The Clouds. Good luck...by the way, if you google these you can usually find the full text online for free.

Answer 4

What, you don't want to be the guy who shows up at the audition to do St. Crispen's day?

I'd look into Christopher Marlowe, a contemporary of Shakespeare. He's old, so you should be able to find him by searching "Marolwe full text" on either Yahoo! or Ask.com.

I'd also look into Greek tragedy; maybe something from The Baccae. Just not, you know, Oedipus.

Answer 5

shakespeare's sonnets may well be solid, yet his performs are super and his speeches are remarkable. verify out Juliet, Cleopatra, woman Macbeth, Rosaline (As you like it,) Constance (King John) (distinctly "grief fills the room up"), Isabella (degree For degree), Ophelia (Hamlet), Margaret (Henry VI factors 2 and 3 and richard III) the different character in shakespeare; once you're ambitious you may attempt between the classics, like Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello/Iago, Lear, Romeo, King Richard III (additionally attempt in henry vi section 3), Henry V, and all those super adult men. He has all kinds of thoughts written in there. indignant, hopeless, desperate, overexcited, depressed, awaiting and such. Julius Caesar's Brutus and Cassius have much. Leontes and Paulina the two in iciness's tale have intense kinds of monologues. solid success!

Answer 6

Alcestis, Lysistrata, and Medea are good places to start (all Euripides), also Moliere's and Shakespeare's works of course. You can also read Shakespeare's plays and some others at Sparknotes for free!

try www.monologuearchive.com for others!

Answer 7

Triumph of Love!
Plays of Calderon- Spanish, 1600s
How about Aristophanes, Clouds,Frogs or Wasps. Or Sophocles.
Just google them! Or actually get up, get some exercise and walk to the library on your campus :P

Answer 8

There's Hippolytus'monologue regarding his feelings on the treachery of the female characters in the Euripides play of the same name. Very angered and impassioned. It should serve you well.

Answer 9

why? Good god... with so many contemporary pieces being written, why would you want to bore us with tired old tripe?