Auditions Monologues So you want to act You

Auditions Monologues

So you want to act…. . You gotta audition…. . What’s it mean when the ad says “prepared audition”?

What type of Audition is it? For a specific play or musical at a specific theatre? Examples I have seen as a director Our Country’s Good Search & Destroy Sondheim musical vs. Oscar & Hammerstein �For a group of theatres or for a company audition? �Examples �Main Street in Houston �Alley Theatre “young company” �TETA �Summer Stock/ URTA

Assignment�Perform a prepared “audition” not to exceed 2 min. �Must include: 1 classical, 1 contemporary �Have a “slate”- introduce piece �Must be memorized �Wear appropriate clothes �No “props” �Pieces need to contrast � Comedy/drama

Overview of Syllabus Oct 17 Oct 19 Oct 21 Tim or pick monologues Read “audition monos”and time, Voice-bring a poem Start Radio Show assignment Oct 26 Work on radio shows Oct 28 Radio scripts due online by 11: 59 pm Nov 2 Progress grades on Audition monologues Nov 4 Discuss, watch one person show Nov 9 Essays on book, AUDITION, by Shurtleff due online, work with partners on Acting teacher ppt Nov 11 Acting Teacher ppts due-present to class Nov 16 Perform Audition monologues Nov 18 Written Final monologue due typed

Schedule for Audition Monologues: Wed, Oct 14 Either…. we will pick pieces in class or Tim will lead class. So…come to class. Mon, Oct 19 Bring both monologues to read and time script in hand for Robin Mon Nov 2 Perform off book for progress grade Mon Nov 16 Perform “Audition monologues” for final grade

Where is this type of prepared audition used? (length will vary) �Large University programs- all students audition for entire season 2 nd day of class. Call Backs created from this �Summer stock auditions �Professional Acting Companies/ or Training Programs �URTA- University/Resident Theatre Association �Combined theatre auditions in an area/city �TETA �SETC http: //www. setc. org/index. php

On computer…. Go to tcg. org Publications/ Art. Search robgrob 25@gmail. com Grayson

Now Search for: Auditions in Dallas Shakespeare Festivals Texas Tech/ Summer Stock

Use the internet to seek audition/employment opportunities Playbill. com http: //www. playbill. com/jobs/find/ Disney Six Flags Backstage. com/ Offstage. com Many opportunities online! Go to specific theatre websites- most have audition info online for both acting and tech Art. Search…posted on Canvas

What makes a good monologue? Appropriate for actor Conflict/ climax of some sort beg/middle/end Careful of choosing “overdone” pieces…this can work for or against you Cut “duet” scene to create monologue Pieces need to contrast Comedy/drama

Where to Find Monologues? �Internet? (what is disadvantage of this? ) �Monologue books (Pro? Con? ) �Plays- can find given monologues or create from a scene http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ci. Fd 3 G 6 Sd 1 k much ado �Films- (what is disadvantage? ) �Original pieces? �(For this assignment…I would prefer you pick new pieces you have not done before)

What is “Slate” Purpose? Full sentences vs. “rank, serial number” Keep in mind…this is just as important as two pieces Don’t say “I’m going to read for you”…you’re not reading…you’re performing Speak louder than you think you need to Say name of pieces in the order you will perform

What is “Classical” “At least 100 years old” Normally, anything before 1900 (even 1920) Why Classical? To see if actor can “handle” heightened language Goal…not to hear “rhyme, verse” but to make it sound natural Playwrights many look to: Shakespeare, Moliere, Euripides, Sophocles, Marlowe Periods: Greeks, Renaissance, Restoration

Playwrights that could be either? �Ibsen, Chekhov were at turn of century…. � Some use Chekhov as the dividing point between Classical and Modern. �If auditioning for a school or theatre, see if their website defines this. The schools will let you know, and are often very specific. � Ex: I have seen some instances where “No Shakespeare” �In contrast, I’ve seen some who think of Eugene O’Neil and Tennessee Williams as “classical” which for some is really stretching the definition � O’Neil’s plays were in 1930’s & 40’s � Williams plays were in 1950’s – 60’

Contemporary or Modern Plays that have been written in the last 50 years Looking for “honesty”, “believable” in portrayal Again…. remember your audience…who are you auditioning for? Feminist theatre group? Don’t pick Mamet. Dialect? Usually not recommended, unless of course that season will include plays using a dialect To cuss or not? Always comes back to “who you are auditioning for”

Blocking/Performing a monologue Where is your eye contact? Look over audience/not beside you Have different focal points for each piece Why are you saying this? Who are you saying this to? To chair or not to chair…. Order of two pieces? Length of two pieces? Contrast in material and in delivery

Rehearsing First- be sure and time both pieces with slate If too long, edit to your strength Get off book early Rehearse in front of people before your audition Rehearse out loud, with blocking Once off book and you have worked pieces, rehearse performing whole audition without starting over

What to Wear? ? If called back…wear the same thing the next day For this assignment, wear what you would wear to an audition if auditioning tomorrow Modesty vs. your body Wear what you feel good in…be your best Shoes…. girls…. if heels…perform in them (no flip flops) Can your clothes ‘help’ you in audition as far as stage business?

Tool bags…. . Electrician? What do I need? Designer? What do I need? Actor/Performer? What do I need?

What’s in your “tool bag”? �Head shot- corrected vs. real? Black/white old school �Resume- Tenna’s class (we have “starter resume”) �Email address /voice message that sounds professional �“notebook”/folder of monologues, songs, etc. �Ballad �Upbeat �patter �Dance attire/shoes �Reel? �Website? http: //www. joelsandel. com

Headshots…. http: //www. ronrinaldi. com/headshots_nyc_port/heads hot_nyc_1. html

Go to Kim Dawson in Dallas Click on talent See headshots of who they represent Also notice resume format

Before Monday Pick and xerox your selections (script library) Write down (in phone) where you are finding these Read it out loud & time!!!! Look for yourself before you ask for my help READ Mon Oct 19 in class: Be ready to stand up and give slate, and read two pieces to be timed for Robin: 2 min max

Questions? Where can you find monologues? What is time limit? What two types do you have to have? FYI…what is difference between this assignment and your final exam monologue assignment?