Here is a suggested process for preparing and rehearsing your audition Monologue.
There are a number of qualities that directors look for in an actor’s audition:
- Honest connection to the language and situation.
- Fully understanding and committment to the character’s imaginary situation –
- A strong sense of the character’s driving needs in the moment and the need to speak these specific words
- The moment to moment discovering of the next thought
- A good sense of physical presence, confidence and curiosity
- Making bold choices that are rooted in the truth of the character point of view and the situation
Choose something that you can relate to and stimulates your curiosity.
- Read the play so you can fully understand the circumstances driving the monologue.
- Clarify who you are speaking to
- What is the charged relationship?
- What is the problem
- What is your objective towards that person – what do you want them to do or feel
- Notice where your tactics (Charm or Threat etc.) change or where anything else happens to change you and mark it in your script.
- Note moments of victory and defeat
- In the margin write your first hunch about what tactics you might try for each line/thought/beat.
- Notice where there are moments of discovery or realization.
- For Shakespeare look up all the unfamiliar words so you can play the specific meaning of what you are saying. Here is a link to an edition of the play that contains definitions for some of the words at the end of each scene. http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/
- Make a space where you are comfortable rehearsing.
- Preparation
- Imagine and feel the location, all the elements that relate to your 5 senses.
- Imagine and feel the inner environment – everything happening inside your body and it’s connection to your mental state
- Imaging the person you are speaking to – fill them with all the elements of the charged relationship.
- Plant your driving need in your heart and mind – “I need them to (feel or do) . . .
- Play/explore the scene
- Keep looking at your imaginary partner; let the driving need grow stronger until-
- it compels you to speak.
- Imagine their response
- Adjust your tactic and speak the next line/thought
- Keep exploring the monologue trying different tactics and continuing to develop your preparation.
- Rehearse and rehears until it is fully memorized, each moment is specific, alive and full of discovery.
- Ideally you should prepare it so well that it can flow spontaneously from you without sacrificing the moment to moment specificity.
- Keep looking at your imaginary partner; let the driving need grow stronger until-