Audition Prep · 3 min read
How to Pick a Monologue for Auditions (And Build a Book)
A practical guide to choosing audition monologues - by genre, length, character age, and how to build a book of 8 across the spectrum.
Published March 29, 2025
A monologue is your business card. Pick one that matches the business you’re actually in.
Most actors carry monologues that show off - long, dramatic, classic. Casting wants monologues that show character - short, specific, you.
The work, step by step
- Cast yourself honestly. What roles are you actually right for, this year, with this haircut? Pick monologues for those parts.
- Find the moment. A great monologue has a turn - one beat where intent flips. Without a turn, it’s a paragraph.
- Length: 60–90 seconds. Two minutes is the ceiling. Most rooms cut you at 90 seconds anyway.
- Build a book of 6–8. Classical, contemporary, comedic, dramatic, period, modern. One of each, plus two specialty.
- Update annually. You change. Your hair, range, and casting box change. Refresh the book every January.
Common pitfalls
- Monologues from famous films - casting will compare you to the original.
- Multi-character monologues - sticking with one human is cleaner.
- Monologues with audience-direct moments unless you can earn them.
How Actry fits in
Drill candidates in Actry. The line ratings will tell you which ones live in your voice and which ones are a stretch. You’re looking for monologues that score consistently - those are the ones that travel.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pick something obscure?
Obscure is fine if it serves you. Famous is fine if you don’t imitate the original.
Can I use a monologue I wrote myself?
In specific contexts, yes. For most pre-pro auditions, stick to published material.
Should I do a Shakespeare monologue?
For Shakespeare auditions, yes. Otherwise, only if it’s genuinely your best piece.
Filed under Audition Prep. Tagged: monologue, audition, preparation.