The Acting Blog

Contrasting Monologues for Auditions

For people that have been asked to do two contrasting monologues, they often feel that it means one comedic and one dramatic.

However,the contrast is also in tone, style, subject and deliver.  Remember this and the following advice when deciding upon your contrasting monologues.

Picking contrasting monologues is vital to showing off your capacity as an act.   Look at what occurs in each piece and see if they are truly different and contrasting.

Contemporary and Classical don’t necessarily contrast.  They might be similar characters, from similar backgrounds with similar concerns or objectives.   The same can be said of the dramatic and the comedic, they are not necessarily contrasting.

When you look at your two pieces, try to make a list of the similarities and differences in the pieces, are there more differences than similarities?

Try to contrast the situation that the character is in, is one talking aloud about their thoughts and feelings and the other mid-flow in the crisis of the drama.

Are the pace of the two pieces different?

Are the topics similar?  When you think of the theme of the pieces, do they actually contrast?

Contrasting monologues are two very different characters with two very different goals in two very different situations, in two very different plays and two very different genres of dramatic literature.  Contrast is black and white, night and day, not differing shades of gray.

Contrast can exist in:

• Character
• Objective
• Genre
• Situation
• Type of Language
• Movement Demands
• Emotional Range
• Mood or Tone of the Speech
• Accent

The more differences, the more contrasting.  But be sure that the heart of each speech is actually different.  I’m surprised by how many people bring me very similar monologues without understanding that they are almost entirely the same monologue, just wrapped in different paper.

Contrasting monologues show your dynamic range and capacity.  If you need help, you know where to find me.

To You, The Best!

Looking for Acting Classes in Glasgow? Mark Westbrook is a Professional Acting Coach and runs Acting Coach Scotland, a private acting studio offering acting classes in Glasgow, masterclasses, workshops and audition coaching for actors at all levels. His acting studio is based in Glasgow, Scotland, although he teaches all across the United Kingdom. All Blog Posts © Mark Westbrook 2010

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Tags: Advice for Drama School, Applying for Drma, applying to drama school, contrasting monologues, Drama School

A reality check before you apply to Drama School…

For those of us that already work in the arts, we can quickly forget how difficult it was to gain acceptance to this club.  Well, it’s hard, it’s very hard and I want to prepare you, I want to give you a reality check, I’m sorry, it’s not pleasant, but faced with the facts, you can make the decision for yourselves:

REALITY CHECK ONE: It was reported a few years ago that there are around 12,000 people applying to drama school each year.  There are 1550 places available at the 22 accredited training institutions in the UK.  That’s roughly a one in seven chance of getting a place at one of the top actor training schools in the country.  That’s a 14% chance.  You’ve got a better chance of getting into Oxford University.

If you want to improve your chances, then get some experience and get a coach to help you with your audition preparation.

REALITY CHECK TWO: According to American Equity (and it’s probably worse in the UK) – only 5 years after graduating drama school, only 10% of actors are still in the business.

If you get into this business, you’ve got to stay in it to make it work.

REALITY CHECK THREE: Few other training institutions (outside the arts) offer you a training that prepares you for a job you *might* get, if you’re lucky, perhaps.

REALITY CHECK FOUR:  Despite the number of channels increasing and digital film making democratising the process of production, the number of jobs for actors in theatre, film and television is decreasing every year.  On the other hand, the number of jobs at Tescos and Sainsbury’s is increasing.

If you’re going to get work, you’ll need to be the best, consider getting some coaching to keep yourself in tip-top condition.

REALITY CHECK FIVE:  If you worked at minimum Equity rates all year round (the chances of which are highly unlikely) you wouldn’t earn as much as a Postman and significantly less than a fire fighter.

If you’re going to get into this, it has to be for something other than the money.

If I’ve put you off, I’ve done my job, if I haven’t put you off, I’ve done my job.

To You, The Best!

Looking for Acting Classes in Glasgow? Mark Westbrook is a Professional Acting Coach and runs Acting Coach Scotland, a private acting studio offering acting classes in Glasgow, masterclasses, workshops and audition coaching for actors at all levels. His acting studio is based in Glasgow, Scotland, although he teaches all across the United Kingdom. All Blog Posts © Mark Westbrook 2010

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Tags: a reality check for actors, applying to drama school, I want to be an actor