How to Perform a Monologue

Getting Ready for Your Performance

Memorize your lines. One of the most important parts of performing a monologue is making sure you have memorized all the lines. Starting your preparations early and practicing the lines often will help you memorize them efficiently. Ask a friend or family member to help you memorize your lines. They can read other characters' lines and even quiz you. Practice your lines twice a day, or more often if you are having trouble memorizing them.

Warm up by singing or running through your lines. This can be as simple as signing some notes to warm up your voice. You can also warm up by going through a few trial runs of the monologue with an acting partner or by yourself. It is important that you take enough time to warm up before you perform your monologue.

Wear simple, comfortable clothing and shoes to an audition. You should perform a monologue in costume unless it is part of a professional or classroom performance. For most auditions, you should show up in clean, tasteful clothing that does not distract. Try wearing a simple dress or a pair of pants with a tucked-in shirt. Don't get too carried away. The key is keeping the focus on your acting, not your clothing.

Nailing the Monologue

Start with an introduction. For an audition, an introduction to the piece is the first part of the performance. Say your name, the name of the character, the name of the play, and the playwright’s name. If you are performing two separate pieces, you will introduce them both at the same time. Try saying, “I’m Rose White and I’ll be performing Blanche from Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire.” In most cases, you don't need to introduce the monologue if it's part of a performance. Instead, transition into the monologue gracefully and treat it as part of your larger performance.

Find a point of focus. Once you are on the stage or in the audition space, look for a point of focus. This is important since you will not have an acting partner upon which to focus your language, emotions, and gaze. Try choosing a neutral point of focus that is slightly to the side of or above the audience or casting director. Do not make the casting director your point of focus, as this can create an awkward situation for them as they evaluate your performance.

Master transitions within the monologue. A good monologue will have a clear narrative arc, with at least one transition between its parts. For example, instead of ranting or shouting for the entire piece, try to have some variation. Make a clear transition between the angry part of the monologue and the calmer, more introspective part of the piece. Playing different moods and emotions will help the casting director see just how versatile of an actor you are. Transitioning smoothly from mood to mood within the monologue will make it seem more natural and lass robotic. That's a good thing.

Be confident. Believing in yourself and your abilities is one of the most important parts of nailing the monologue. Perform the monologue with confidence by standing tall, projecting your voice, and focusing on the audience or another focal point. A lot of actors and actresses feel nervous while auditioning, which is perfectly normal. The key here is to act confident.

Choosing a Monologue

Pick a monologue appropriate to the role. If you are auditioning for a play, movie, or television show, you will need to choose a monologue that fits the character you are vying for. This will prove to the director that you're capable of playing that role. For example, if the role is comical, choose a funny monologue. If you are auditioning for a serious role, choose a more dramatic monologue.

Choose an active monologue. The piece you perform for an audition or class assignment should be active. It should not be a character telling a story or recalling a memory. For example, you can pick a piece where the character is pursuing something from another character, or discovering something for the first time. Try performing Claudio’s address to his sister in William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure.

Pick a monologue you connect with. You will be at your best if you are performing a piece that you are passionate about. Choose a character and a play that resonate with you. This will allow the audience or casting director to get to know you through the material. Consider performing Masha’s monologue about her future husband in Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull.

Stay away from trendy or popular monologues. You don’t want to show up to class or an audition and find out you will be performing the same monologue as several other actors. Trendy and popular monologues tend to be overdone, and you want to be unique. For example, you might want to stay away from performing a popular monologue from a recent movie or play. If you feel connected to a trendy or popular piece, you shouldn’t fret about it. Go ahead and perform the monologue confidently!

Try a funny, lighthearted piece. If you are in doubt about what type of monologue you should perform, go for a lighter, more humorous piece. This may stand out in a sea of more dramatic, deeply emotional, or angry monologues. Being able to make the audience smile, or even laugh, can be a breath of fresh air for those experiencing your monologue. Try Trinculo’s speech in William Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Select a short monologue. When choosing a monologue, err on the shorter side. You might be allotted three minutes for your performance, but don’t feel pressured to fill every second of your time slot. For example, you can choose a two-minute monologue or two one-minute monologues to fill a performance space of two to three minutes.

Avoid violent, offensive, or overly sexual pieces. If you are auditioning for a show, a monologue is very much a job interview. Keep this in mind when deciding what monologue you will perform. Avoid pieces that contain offensive language, are overly sexual, or include violence.