How to prepare an audition monologue
A step-by-step guide: choosing a monologue for your type, breaking it down, rehearsing and recording a self-tape. Free classic texts and tools.
1. Know your type
Before picking material, know your amplua. Take the free acting-type test — it suggests your primary and secondary type and fitting monologues.
2. Choose a monologue
Pick from the monologue library — by gender, author and acting type. For drama school, prepare two contrasting pieces (drama + comedy). All texts are free and public domain.
A good monologue is short (1–3 min), contains an event — a choice or a turn — and fits your age and look.
3. Break it down
Find the character's objective, obstacle and tactics. Structure it in the audition prep notes: what they want, what's in the way, how they pursue it, where it turns.
4. Rehearse
Read aloud with the teleprompter and pace timer — keep within the timing and don't rush. The ideal pace is 120–160 words per minute.
5. Record a self-tape
Record in the self-tape studio following the checklist: neutral background, light on the face, quiet room. Build a habit with the weekly challenges.
6. Common mistakes
- Too long — the director decides in the first minute.
- Material that doesn't fit your age/type — you can't play it truthfully.
- Playing the result (suffering, villainy) instead of the objective.
- No event — a 'general' delivery with no choice or turn.
FAQ
How long should an audition monologue be?
Usually 1–3 minutes. Drama schools often ask for two contrasting pieces — one dramatic, one comic. A monologue timer helps you stay in range.
How do I choose a monologue for an audition?
Pick public-domain material (Chekhov, Ostrovsky, Shakespeare) that fits your acting type and age and contains an event — a choice, a turn, an action. Two contrasting pieces show range.
Where can I get monologue texts for free?
Every monologue and its full text in the GetActress library is free — the works are in the public domain.
How do I find my acting type?
Take the free acting-type test — it suggests your amplua and matching monologues and roles.