Check out this week's AESTHETIC Friday Video where I share some monologue suggestions for your consideration as you prepare for an upcoming audition. Below is an outline of the plays, playwrights, and movies that I recommend for each "Memorable Monologue" video. Next week's AESTHETIC Friday Video will be exclusively for male actors as this week's video is all about the actresses!
{DISCLAIMER: This Post and the videos aren't sponsored}
I recommend (if you have the time to do so) reading the entire play (or watching the film) so that you understand the story, characters, and context of what is going on. At an audition, the director, writer(s), or producer(s) may ask you questions or make references to the play/film and you want to be on your A-game. It’s also very telling if you do the piece and have no idea of the power of the words that you're saying. You need to know the context of your words and what they mean concerning the world of the story.
Actresses
CLASSICAL
Choose a Sonnet by William Shakespeare (my personal favorite is Sonnet 43)
When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see, For all the day they view things unrespected; But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee, And darkly bright are bright in dark directed; Then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright, How would thy shadow's form form happy show To the clear day with thy much clearer light, When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so? How would, I say, mine eyes be blessed made By looking on thee in the living day, When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay? All days are nights to see till I see thee, And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.
Everyone does a monologue from a Shakespearean play. Switch it up by going farther back to Ancient Greece and try your hand at "Antigone" a play by Sophocles
CONTEMPORARY
Tennessee Williams' “The Glass Menagerie”:
Role: Laura or her mother Amanda (depending on your age)
Tennessee Williams' “Suddenly Last Summer”
Role: Catharine
Also consider researching plays by Theresa Rebeck and Lanford Wilson
WOMEN OF COLOR
(and men for there are male roles in these same plays that will work for you too)
August Wilson's “7 Guitars”
Role: Vera or Ruby
Consider researching plays by Tarell Alvin McCraney who wrote “In the Red and Brown Water” and James Baldwin who wrote “If Beale Street Could Talk”, as well as plays by David Mamet such as “Race” that starred Kerry Washington in 2010 on Broadway.
Who is your favorite heroine? Think about piecing together your very own unique monologue from your favorite book character. It will be original, unforgettable, and completely your own. I did this with my fave monologue from Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck.
Actors
{Unfortunately, for some strange reason, I am unable to upload the video I filmed for Actors. Here instead is the link for you to view on my YouTube Channel}
CLASSICAL
“Oedipus the King” by Sophocles
Role: Oedipus Rex
CONTEMPORARY
“A Long Day’s Journey Into Night” by Eugene O’Neill
Role: Edmund
Who’s your favorite film character? Invest time in piecing together your very own unique monologue from climatic scenes of your favorite character. For example, Paul Walker’s character from “The Fast & The Furious” sequels or a monologue from a Denzel Washington flick such as “Man on Fire” or “Training Day”; which would work for any man who could either read for Ethan Hawk’s character or Denzel’s character in that film. You can do the same as I suggested in the “Memorable Monologues” for actresses by utilizing your favorite book character and piecing together a monologue from that novel.
Plays Mentioned (And Where To Purchase)
Check out this AESTHETIC Video where I review "If Beale Street Could Talk” by James Baldwin!
Be sure to subscribe to AESTHETIC: The Art of Me for more relevant content; elevating your #aesthetic!
Sante
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