Do's and Dont's for Monologue Performance

Opening and Ending a Monologue.

Opening your Monologue;

• Walk in slowly with a sense of purpose. Do not rush nervously.
• Find the centre of the stage or performance area and remain silent for a moment.
• Speak to the artistic staff as yourself. say 'Hello' and introduce yourself. have a brief prepared joke or other statement. Remember the artistic staff are not just casting a camera. They also need an actor they can work with.
• Introduce you character and communicate the problem confronting your character.
•  Concentrate. Take a moment or two to get in to character. Briefly cose your eyes/bow your head/ turn your back to focus before starting your monologue,

Ending your monologue

• Take a three second freeze after ending your monologue.
• Do not expect much of a reaction from artistic staff. Part of their job is not to tio their hand one way or another as to how they feel about your performance untill they have conferred.
• Never show any sign of dissatisfaction if you are not happy with your performance. Be this using facial gestures or verbal apology.
• Stay positive and remain calm.
• Stay enthusiastic and thank the artistic staff.
• Exit the same way you entered unless told otherwise and walk slowly and proudly.

Taking a bow

• Remember your bow is still part of your performance. As long as you are on stage remain professional, bow and continue with the above steps. 

some more tips:

• Dont wear white or black.
• Dont wear to much make up. or dark make up like dark red lipstick.
• Dont wear short skirts.. it doesnt make the director like you more.
• Go with a nice hair cut.. never have your hair covering your eyes.
• The director needs to see your whole face.
• Dont wear flipflops to an audition.
• Wear something casual - normal

Monologue Overview

           Here is some information regarding monologues taken from

           the following web site;

            http://www.actingmodeling.com/acting/monologues.htm

A monologue is an uninterrupted speech by a charachter - speaking his or her thoughts, talking to another charcater or even addressing the audience. Since a monologue focuses on a single character, it allows an actor the opportunity to show off their acting skills and abilities Dramatic Monologue Dramatic Monologues are emotional. They require intense facial expressions and a serious voice. Soliloquies are a form of dramatic monologue - an extensive speech that is an insight into the mind of the speaker. Examples of Dramatic Monologues - Man Examples of Dramatic Monologues - Woman Comedic Monologue Comedic monologues are a more recent discovery, popularized by stan-up comics. The script is usaully full of wit, sarcasm and irony. They are much more animated and uses hand gestures and body language as a form of expression. Examples of Comedic Monologues - Man Examples of Comedic Monologues - Woman Monologues for Kids Monologues for kids should come from scripts designed for children. They do not have to have an extensive number of rehearsed monologues. One comedic monologue and one dramatic monologue should be enough. A one-minute monologue should be long enough for most acting auditions for kids. Examples of Monologues for Kids - Boy Examples of Monologues for Kids - Girl Musical Monologues Musical theatre was actually an extension of the dramatic monologue. When a singer performs a musical piece, he or she is actually performing a monologye. The monologue comes in the form of a song expressing the character's thoughts. Examples of Musical Monologues MONOLOGUE TIPS AND GUIDELINES Choose a monologue that is appropriate for your age group and a character that you can relate to. If auditioning for a particular role, find a monologue that fits in the same genre (dramatic role = dramatic monologue) Time yourself and make sure the monologue fits the length acceptable for the audition (usually one to three minutes). Pick a monologue that is interesting and will grab the attention of your audience. An "engaging" monologue will make the audience feel like they are personally involved with your character as opposed to just listening to you tell them a story. Memorize the monologue until you can recite it entirely. Breaking it down into parts (beginning, middle, end) will help. Read the entire script that the monologue is from. Knowing the whole story, the circumstance, and the background will help you develop your characters Study and understand your character. What does he/she wants? How will he/she get it? Remember a monologue is still a dialogue in which the other person doesn't speak. Imagine the who the person you're speaking to in the monologue and his/her reactions. Record your monologue on tape and play it back to yourself repeatedly to help you memorize it. Try performing the monologue in several different ways. Be prepared to perform it more than one way at the audition. Practice performing the monologue. First to an inanimate object, then for a personal audience (a friend, family), and if possible to a professional (another actor or acting agent). Practice it as much as possible. Make sure to always get feedback. Constructive critisism is very important so you can improve.

Forming ideas and Delivery/Log Books

This page is to assist you in forming ideas for a monologue.

It should suggest examples, point you in the direction of appropriate research and help assist with the development of your logbooks.

Within your logbooks you will have to show elements of;

1.Background research into monologues as a term.

2. Reserch into numerous monologues,ways of poerforming etc

BEFORE you choose the one you will be Performing.

3. Once you have chosen each of your pieces you must look into character

 developments and theoretical elements of theatre as a whole.

(for inner emotion and cirumstance research Stanislavski).

4. The Rehearsal process.

5.The performance.

6. Self Evaluation.