How to select and prepare a monologue for your audition

At auditions, each actor will have 5-minutes with the director to present a monologue of your choosing. You can always choose to read a piece that I provide, but I would prefer if you find your own monologue, memorize and prepare it for your audition. Plus, I believe you will gain more that way!

Some tips to help you find a monologue:

1) Stick with the time limit (less than 2 minutes). Too short is better than too long.
2) Find a monologue that is close to your age and type. (For example, I probably should not choose a monologue featuring a fifty-year-old African-American hippy)
3) Look at plays you know or have been in. It is easier (but not necessary) to play a monologue for which you know the whole back story. There are also several valuable online resources for monologues.
4) Choose a monologue in which the character is fighting for something...not just retelling a story.
5) Do not choose a monologue from a movie or TV show.
6) Choose a monologue you enjoy! :)

Some tips for preparing a monologue:

1) Memorize it well...so you don't have to worry about the words when it comes time for your audition.
2) Find your target. Who are you talking to? Why does this person need to hear what you have to say?
3) Practice in front of at least one other person. You don't want the first time to present your monologue to be in front of the director.
4) Time it so that you are not surprised by the length of your performance.
5) When speaking to your target, use your imagination to place them out in the audience (not at the director) and direct the text to them.

CASTING: The characters of Blithe Spirit

I will be casting 5 women and 2 men in Blithe Spirit. Here is who I am looking for:

Charles Condomine: A wealthy author of popular novels, he orchestrates a seance as research for his latest book.
Ruth Condomine: His current wife; a bit uptight, trying to play the social role to perfection
Elvira: Charles' deceased first wife, who comes back as a ghost, determined to woo Charles and bring him back with her
Edith: The Codomine's shy, inexperienced house maid
Madame Arcati: A colorful, dramatic medium who whole-heartedly believes in what she does
Dr. Bradman & Mrs. Bradman: The local physician and his wife, they are Charles' guests and friends

Open auditions for BLITHE SPIRIT

Open auditions for BLITHE SPIRIT will take place 3:30-6pm, Thursday, September 9th at SHHS Olmscheid Auditorium.

Actors will each have a 5-minute slot onstage with the director to present a 2-minute (max.) monologue of their choosing. A prepared, memorized piece is preferred but monologues to read will be available as well at the door. Please come prepared with your calendar, ready to denote any schedule conflicts. Please be aware that there is only ONE DAY of open auditions. Sign-up ahead of time by contacting calebthurston@gmail.com or simply show up on the day of auditions.

Call-backs will be held Friday, September 10th beginning at 3:30pm. Actors who are called back will participate in group exercises and cold readings from the script.

Rehearsals are scheduled to begin Monday, September 13th with an all-cast read-through.