Drama School Auditions: Finding a Speech.

So Drama school auditions are always going to be nerve racking -and even more nerve-racking is: Finding speeches.

The audition season is closing fast and auditionees are already coming out the woodwork, I’ve already started doing my one on one sessions and the question that keeps coming back to me is this:

“How do I pick my audition speeches?”

First off, it’s so much easier to find a Shakespeare speech, so I’ll start with that. The best place to start is http://www.shakespeare-monologues.org/ click on your gender and start reading speeches (be warned there are some typos and errors so double check with your copy). You’re looking for something that will last about 2 minutes or so, is in verse and fits your age.

This is a great way of looking for a speech for these kind of auditions, once you’ve found a speech you like the next step is really important: read the whole play. It is vital that you know the context of your characters words and actions, where did they come from, where are they going, and most importantly, why the hell are they doing it? Your second Shakespeare can be in prose if you really like it, (and learn your second Shakespeare, I mean it. Be prepared) but if you’re unsure go with a verse piece.

Of course there are always caveats, don’t do the Hamlet speech, Juliet’s balcony speech, Romeo’s speech, the crazy Ophilia speech or the crazy Lady Macbeth speech. Crazy is always at one note and shows next to nothing of you as an actor and the others are done so much that you might just blend into the sea of auditionees. Yes there are some who will get into great drama schools with these speeches, but you’re not doing yourself any favors by doing so.

Modern speeches are a little tougher. When it comes down to it it’s not that easy, there is no quick fix and the ‘rules’ are a little looser. Go with writers you like or stuff that speaks to you, try and find something near your age range. Try to have something that talks to someone in the room (yourself is someone in the room, but that usually turns out to be the audience) so with that in mind avoid conversations on the phone. This is where my advice always seems to get a bit vague, mainly because it’s going to be vague until you find one. It’s not easy finding modern speeches, check play book stores (like the one at the National theatre in London), go see modern theatre or ask friends/realitives if they’ve seen anything. Keep looking you’ll find one. Most importantly, again, once you’ve found it read the whole play.

Once you’ve found your pieces learn them, learn them so well you mumble them in your sleep. Do the work involved: where, when, what, why and who? Know everything you can about the journey your character and others take from scene to scene, this way you’ll give a more rounded performance and you’ll have something to fall back on if things go wrong.

I’ve spent hours working on finding speeches, looking through reams and reams of plays and speeches and it never gets any easier, the simple fact of it is:

There really is no quick way to find a piece and neither should there be.

It’s hard work because it’s meant to be and when you find it you know it, because it’s yours and you’ve earned it.

Paris

PS. I continue to teach audition technique this year, so if you’re interested, get in touch.

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