T minus 17 and counting.
Those actors planning to use their two minutes at the February 28 Theatre Roundtable Unified auditions now have just over two weeks to prepare. That means it’s time to pick your pieces.
THEATRE VAULT’S HANDY DANDY GUIDE TO PICKING THE PERFECT AUDITION PIECE(S)
- One lump or two? Decide if you will perform one or two pieces. If you choose to perform one piece, make sure that it showcases your range. It should include some contrast: moments of high energy and low energy, comedic and dramatic beats, and/or some lucidity mixed with madness. If you choose two pieces, be sure they contrast as well. Mix modern with classic, comedy with tragedy, a heady character with a total flake.
- Love it. You must love what you perform. If you don’t, they won’t.
- Aim at the target. Check out the member companies associated with Theatre Roundtable here. Does your dream gig put you on stage with Columbus Children’s Theatre? Find a piece from Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, or the like. Maybe you would rather wield your iambs with Rosebriar Shakespeare or Actors’ Theatre? Get thee some Bard! Shadowbox have your heart? Go edgy. Raconteur? Make sure it tells a story. Remember that your monologue is a live resume. Include relevant experience.
- Published on paper. Pick pieces from professionally published plays. Pretty please! No internet dramas. Not Aunt Debbi’s play. No movies. Not your journal.
- Be present and needy. Try to find pieces that have you talking in the present tense to another character. Make sure that your character needs something from that other person and needs it badly. Don’t pick a piece where you simply tell about an event that happened to your character in the past (unless, of course you’re telling that story in order to shame, seduce, or entertain that other person.) Don’t pick a piece where you’re talking to yourself or to God. You want to be active, not passive.
- Not To Be. Avoid overused monologues. If it has been on Broadway recently, if it can be recited by everyone in the room, pick something else.
- Know yourself. Stay in your gender, age range, and physical type. That being said, pay attention to what your perceived “type” might be. (What kinds of roles would a director be most likely to cast you in at first glance?) Show the panel that type, but also show them an opposite. Are you the sweet boy next door? Give it to them, but follow it up with dark and sinister, too.
- PG. No *%&!ing swearing.
Want more insight? Check out this informative PerformInk article featuring advice from multiple directors.
Tags: Actors, Auditions, Theatre Roundtable