A monologue is something most actors both love and hate. It's a double-edged sword. While it's a juicy piece of acting that we can sink our teeth into, it's also the basis that casting directors and agents will be judging the whole of our talent upon. Choosing the right monologue is important to an actor's career. Making sure your monologue stands apart from the crowd is all the more important. That's why you should put all your talent and creativity to use in a monologue. Here you will learn let your creative forces shine through in your monologue!
Instructions
1. Find the right monologue for you. No matter how much you love "Frankie and Johnny," it's just not going to work for you if you are a seventeen-year-old model. If you are an older man, don't try delivering James Dean's "Rebel Without A Cause" scenes. You have to be honest with yourself. However, by no means should you try to stereotype yourself. Challenge popular notions about what somebody with your assets and limitations can do. Yet, don't try to deliver a monologue for a play you would never be cast in. It will do nothing but show casting directors that you have unrealistic expectations for your career, or that you aren't capable of playing the roles you are likely to get. In finding a monologue, there are lots of options. You can find books of monologues in any library or book store. If you choose a monologue from a book of them, make sure to go to the source and read the original play. You want to understand and grasp the character. If you are an extremely talented writer, or have friends that are, consider using your own monologue. It will be original, hopefully different, and can often stand apart from the Juliet tributes.
2. Break the monologue down into beats. Like many actors do with a script, discover what each line means. You have the luxury of in-depth study of this character. The stakes are high, and you want to make sure you do everything possible to make it great!
3. Take the character from the monologue to an acting class, and work on the character until you feel that you know the essence of who they are and where they are coming from in the monologue. You need to be connected to the character.
4. Practice your monologue in front of family, then friends, then trusted people in the profession, such as your teachers. Get feedback, and keep re-working the monologue. The last thing you want to do is appear green in audition, so know that monologue as well as you know anything else about your career aspirations.
5. Mix it up. If you get feedback from someone, take it in. Does it make sense? Be objective. Don't be afraid to switch up aspects of your interpretation. Make sure you flex your acting muscle by practicing often.
6. Perform your monologue. Get involved in showcases and "agents' nights," although be careful of which ones you choose. Do all you can to get to perform your monologue in front of industry professionals. That is how you will truly grow and learn, as well as finding which monologue works best in getting you working as an actor.
