I don't know how much you know about drag racing but let me enlighten you.
There are two high-performance machines evenly match by class (engine displacement, etc.) sitting at the starting line. Both drivers are looking at a lighting array called the “Christmas tree”. The lights trigger from the top of the display to the bottom (the green light) and the drivers slam the pedal to the metal.
In general the car that gets the cleanest start wins (if you don't blow an engine).
This is exactly like monologue auditions.
With monologues it's almost impossible to recover from a bad start. Even if you do, it leaves an uncertain impression with the casting director. If your start was sloppy, they're thinking that maybe you just got lucky. Monologue auditions are exactly the same as drag racing. It all happens at the starting line.
So, let's look at the starting line. You've managed your way through the interview. I'll give you a break here and assume that your auditors feel that they've had access to you throughout the interview. That means they're still interested. As the interview comes to a conclusion they say, “Okay, the stage is yours.”
This is where most monologue auditions “crash and burn”. The reason… actors have no idea what needs to happen before they say the first word of their monologue.
As soon as the casting director says, “Let's see your monologues”, you should be transitioning into character for your first monologue. This should be happening even as you walk into the performance space.
As you walk into the performance space, know where you're going. Sometimes they've given you a mark (spike mark on the floor where they want you to stand). Sometimes they haven't. If they haven't, choose a spot in the center of the performance area (left to right). Divide the space between you and your viewers in the following way. You want two-thirds of the available space between you and the wall behind you to be given to the viewers. One-third of the available space will be between you and the wall behind you. This is where you go. Settle into this location. Get “at home”.
After the opening lines of your monologue, you can move about the space as you wish. However, do not get too close to your viewers. Do not invade their personal space.
The next thing you need to do is find a visual mark. The failure to effectively perform this single function seals the fate of most monologue auditions.
Next… What are you looking at?
Labels: Audition Monologues