by Kristin Lane Williams

Created on: January 13, 2008   Last Updated: July 21, 2010

This is n ot an article about tips for the actor, auditioning or otherwise. This is properly titled, "The audition monologue from an actor's perspective."

The actor's perspective? Now was that the actor you wanted or the person who just had a call-back and blew it? Okay, that's the person you've got.

There is nothing more I hate than auditioning. And there is no audition I detest more than one that requires a monologue. I'll address both of these major pet peeves because getting this out is healthy. It's not right to keep all this negative stuff bottled up inside.

So, why do I hate auditioning? Because this is the only part of my job that seems like a job to me. Actors aren't really known in corporate America for making the best employees. That's because that feels like work. It's not just work, it's torture. You take a brain surgeon and ask him to be a carpet-layer...ok, you get the point. To us actors, acting feels like play, but is work, which is why we are meant to be actors. And why do I hate monologues? Because talking to for two or three minutes straight without ever being interrupted is just not natural! Why doesn't the person listening say something? Who writes these things? Why is anyone buying their writing? And, why does anyone believe that anyone would actually NOT interrupt the character? Can't something be done about this horrible tradition?

Now that I've got that off my chest, let's get back to the point. Auditioning is the side of this business that we all hate. I've never heard it differently. If you do, I bet that person wants to sell you a book. And auditioning 101 is, you guessed it, the monologue. But just because it's downright difficult to walk in a room of strangers who are talking on their cell phones, eating and not looking at you while you rant, scream and cry without anyone stopping you doesn't mean you can't perform your best. The way I get the gumption to go in that room and knock their socks off is to reason with myself. So, welcome friends, to my own little, private world of thoughts and reason by which, I the actor get I the self to get off my defeated butt and try again.

"Your job is looking for work. Acting is the pay-off. When you're looking for work or for someone who will look for work for you that means performing a scene alone. Get over it. Get over yourself. Yes, you can do this. Right? OK. Now, if you get to do a cold read or have interaction with another human being: great. Now, make the decision that when you go in that room nothing is going to throw you off. Did you choose your monologue yet? No? NO? What are you waiting for? You're not getting any younger! Just pick one. I really don't care, pick one. Ok, now you have your monologue and you know it fits you. Shhh, I'll explain. You know not because you performed this in front of three friends who have told you how great you are. You'd better not do that. They'll lie to you and they don't have the right perspective anyway. You know, Kristin, because you are an actor. You are! I don't care if you don't believe it today or don't believe it'll ever work. You're an actor. And this monologue is of your (well our) choosing and right for you. It is YOUR job to sell this piece. It's your JOB to believe that you'd say those things, exactly as they are written even if it seems ridiculous. It's your job to go out there and give it your all every time. Got it? Get up, wipe your face and let's work on those lines."

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