can anyone suggest an audition piece?

Question

I have been offered an audition on a very basic theatre course, which lasts a year, and I am really pleased. I have to audition with a 2-3 minute monologue from a published play. The only problem is that I have no experience of this at all- my experience of theatre, which got me through to the audition stage, is in a completely different aspect. I'm not scared of auditioning, and I'll do the best I can, but I don't know where to start as far as choosing and approaching it is concerned. I am a 38 year old woman, in case these things have to be age and gender appropriate!
Thank you in advance

Answer 1

What about "Shirley Valentine" by Willy Russell?
There are several books of audition pieces; for instance, the Methuen audition book for women.
You should be able to find a selection in your local library. If not, they can get one for you on inter-library loan from another library.

Answer 2

WOW! A 38-yr. old woman. Most of the time these questions are asked by 13-yr. old girls. Yes, the piece should be age-appropriate and probably gender appropriate too. Gender-bending is more advanced and comes later; there are some directors and companies who pride themselves on that kind of casting. But for an audition monologue, go with something appropriate for your AGE RANGE -- which means, you could probably be believably cast as a 30-yr. old and maybe even a 40-yr. old. That opens up things like the female version of The Odd Couple, Angels in America, Steel Magnolias, and many Shakespearean women if you're so inclined -- Calpurnia, Lady Macbeth, Kate, or Gertrude (That's Julius CAesar, Macbeth, Taming of the Shrew, and Hamlet, play-wise). Break a leg!

Answer 3

One of Alan Bennett's 'Talking Faces' perhaps? Some good suggestions above, but if you pick a speech from a book of monologues, do try and also get hold of the full playtext and read it so you know the context, or you may look a fool if they ask you anything about your character. For the same reason, yes you should pick something suitable to your age and gender, or it'll look like you haven't thought it through.

Don't try and do Shakespeare or a classic text just for brownie points - if you don't have the experience with heightened text you can probably do yourself far more justice with a naturalistic piece.

Answer 4

Read as many plays as you can that have a character of your age and type.

Find a speech that you like and work on in. Find something thats as close to your personality as possible... and audition speech in this business is the only time you SHOULDN'T act. If you can show that your aware of how you look and sound and not a wierdo then you'll go far.

Choose a new play, it makes you look good.

Answer 5

Congratulations. The major thing is that you should pick something age appropriate and that has a socko ending! More important, though is how to introduce, present and close your auditions. I hope you have some time before the audition. I help people become actors at no charge, click on my name, read my profile, and write me at my aol address if you want more help.

Answer 6

The big book stores have sections with entire books of monologues. Many of them are broken down by age range and gender. You should have no trouble finding something there. And if you try Shakespeare you'll look silly.

Answer 7

You can't go wrong with a bit of Shakespeare, whatever you have to hand. Look through "Midsummer Night's Dream" for instance. It won't really matter which bit you choose - the main thing is to act confident, (whatever you are feeling!) And to project - head up, speak up. Hit the back of the hall with your voice. It's you they'll be interested in, not your selection so just make them sit up! Good Luck!

Answer 8

Do you have a drama coach , if so , get them to write you one. Mine does for me.