That Tall Blonde at the Callback — Musical People Hate Monologues

Susan Tonkin
Aug 31, 2018 · 3 min read

Okay, maybe “hate” is an over-simplification…perhaps it’s a love-hate relationship. I just know that when I see a community theatre audition notice that asks for a song AND a monologue there is going to be some trouble. Lots of the musical theatre people have enough on their plate with prepping a song, and they’ll moan and groan about it. I would suspect (but have no access to data that would support this one way or the other) that asking for a monologue suppresses your turnout. But I can also see the counter-argument that those who do show would be VERY interested. You can quickly spot who has a good work ethic, cares enough about the project to do the prep work and perhaps weed out the newbies as well.

I’ve been at a couple of recent auditions that asked for them, and here’s what I anecdotally saw. A lot of very prepared women with solid monologues, a few men with solid ones, and a large-ish group of mostly men that said “yeah, no way did I have time to do that — but I showed up anyway. Take me or leave me.” I think this last group is interesting. Brave? Or lazy? I — if pressed for time — would feel really odd arriving without one of the requested audition pieces. I’ve got two short monologues that I have handy if I need to pull one together last minute, and even if they aren’t a “perfect fit” for the character, they usually check the box. I certainly put in less effort into choosing them than I do choosing the song I’ll be singing (I guess I’m just pickier about my music!) I SHOULD probably put in a little more effort and get a few more — for variety’s sake!

She’s making “bold choices”.

That said, here are some thoughts when faced with the dreaded m-word in a last-minute, but interesting, audition notice:

· Do something you know. Perhaps you have a chunk of dialogue from a previous show you can pull out in a pinch? If it’s an ask for only 1 minute in length, a lot of them probably fit the bill. Also, don’t stress too much about being word-perfect. No one is on-book checking you, as long as what you say makes sense.

· Recite a poem or tell a joke/story. Sometimes this will be an explicit option. This is better than showing up empty handed.

· Bring something to read. Also better than showing up empty handed. You can ask for forgiveness with “apologies that the timeframe/my busy schedule didn’t allow me to come in off-book for this, but I thought it was such a good fit for character X, so I thought you might like to hear it anyway.”

· Ask if they have something you can read. Last resort — use only if your other option is don’t show up at all. Unless, of course, this is offered as an explicit option in the audition notice.

· Best (but most time intensive) option: Learn something. Target your choice at the character you want, and keep the style and era of the show in mind, just like with your vocal selection. If you have the time, this will enable you to shine, especially if well-delivered in a sea of people who put in minimum effort.

Last but not least, do show up! You can’t get a role you don’t go out for, and maybe there is less competition as others are scared off by the prep work. Get out there!

Susan Tonkin

Musical Theatre actress. Jazz singer. Product Marketing/Analyst Relations professional. Mom.

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