For an audition piece... Is it okay to do a male's monologue although you're female? It's complicated really

Question

I found this GREAT monologue that I would like to do for my auditions NEXT Saturday and I'm getting desperate for a comic piece that is about a minute or so long. I have 2 minues to perform 2 monologues and my acting teacher kept turning everything down until I found this one comic piece that we both loved.

Doing some research on it tonight, after school, I realized that the monologue is for a male.

It is from Baby with the Bathwater by Christopher Durang. The character is Daisy. The monologue is when he is talking to a psychiatrist and the monologue is hilarious.

But, because it is Chrisopher Durang, I'm afraid that if I do decide to take on this male monologue, the people judging it will know it's for a male and stop listening, or whatever--

AGAIN. I'm desperate.

If it's a bad idea to do this monologue, I would like to know, because contacting my acting teacher is impossible until Tuesday; ALSO. any GOOD sites to some monologues would be great; I'm having no luck.

Answer 1

I've conducted dozens of auditions, and I've taught audition technique to hundreds of young actors. And one of the essential bits of advice I give to people in your situation is this: 99 times out of 100, you're on more solid ground if your audition material features you in roles for which you could conceivable by cast RIGHT NOW. TODAY.

You may be a tremendous actor, and you may give a brilliant reading of the Durang piece. But, if I'm the director, what does it really tell me about your castability? I'm not in the market (probably) for a girl who can play a young man dressed as a girl. I'd be out there, watching your performance, and thinking: "She couldn't find a WOMAN's monologue?"

I'm sure you'll get other responses urging you to do something wacky in auditions, to distinguish yourself from your competition. I can't agree.

HOWEVER...since you've been given the latitude to perform 2 contrasting pieces, you MIGHT be able to justify using the Durang piece, provided that your "A-list" piece is absolutely age and gender appropriate. I still don't recommend the practice, but it's your call.

It's very hard to find good contemporary comedic women's monologues. But...keep looking.

Answer 2

I don't think they'd stop listening, a friend of mine was in Forensics, and she had to do a 1 person play so I don't see why you can't do the part of Daisy.

Besides, since Daisy is a male who's parents decide he's a female, then if you try to make yourself look like a guy, wouldn't that make it all the funnier? It already tackles genderbending, why not have a girl play a guy? Besides, if a woman can play peter pan on stage, I don't see why they'd stop you.

I mean, lets face it Baby with the Bathwater is hilarious, and its really not stretching the imagination that much, is it?

Answer 3

I did one from "The Matchmaker" about vices that was written for a guy. The drama teacher didn't have problem with it. I got a wonderful grade. I think it's just a matter of how well you project the emotions and make it believable.

Break a leg!