Act Acting » Acting Agents » Contemp. Audition Monologues?

Contemp. Audition Monologues?

Question:

I know  an actress who never reveals her age but was in her late 50’s and got parts in her late 30’s…   then in her early 60’s she got a part for the part of a 40 year old…  (we found out by looking at her 1-9 info how old she actually wea)……  granted she doesn’t quite look her age… but…… I learned from her never to limit myself by age range..   If someone will buy that I am 10 or 15 years younger than I am… or vice versa.. well…   God love ‘em.  I’ll take the job!   As long as a monologue works and is not necessarily age specific….  who cares what age you are when you do it. ANd if … who was it… Kathleen Turner ?  played Rosalind in AS YOU LIKE…. more power to her and the director who cast her!! Jessie P

Age RANGE- You know what that is- It’s written on your face! You don’t have to tell- Physigonomy is destiny. See how it might help to know  about that before suggesting monologues to people who don’t know enough to supply the basic facts??? And then they shoot their mouths off when they are scolded while parading about, telling people they are "Actors". God, and we wonder why people think Actors are stupid. I am done with it.

Response:

HERE HERE ! Read, darling. Watch films…look at plays. Find something that fits you ! regards, Jim

Response:

Shouldn’t we ALL be out looking for work instead of hammering this subject to death? Mary, Just find something that fits your personality. What is the audition piece for? or is it something you want to have in your "toolbox" so you have something when asked for a monologue? I have both a serious piece and comedy piece at the rady. And both point to my strong abilities and what I am liable to be cast for. Just do some reading and find something you like and brings out your best. regards, Jim Swanson

Response:

Geezzzze – This was never about going around telling your age or your range- This was  about some whiny girl coming on and asking for monologue advice without supplying ANY info. about herself- When she was scolded, she got her little feelings hurt- Now this has mushroomed into something completely off topic. Read the whole thread. I am really done with it now. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I know  an actress who never reveals her age but was in her late 50’s and got parts in her late 30’s…   then in her early 60’s she got a part for the part of a 40 year old…  (we found out by looking at her 1-9 info how old she actually wea)……  granted she doesn’t quite look her age… but…… I learned from her never to limit myself by age range..   If someone will buy that I am 10 or 15 years younger than I am… or vice versa.. well…   God love ‘em.  I’ll take the job!   As long as a monologue works and is not necessarily age specific….  who cares what age you are when you do it. ANd if … who was it… Kathleen Turner ?  played Rosalind in AS YOU LIKE…. more power to her and the director who cast her!! Jessie P Age RANGE- You know what that is- It’s written on your face! You don’t have to tell- Physigonomy is destiny. See how it might help to know  about that before suggesting monologues to people who don’t know enough to supply the basic facts??? And then they shoot their mouths off when they are scolded while parading about, telling people they are "Actors". God, and we wonder why people think Actors are stupid. I am done with it.

Response:

I couldn’t care less about your age range- and I never asked, I was referring to your tawdry reply to Steve and Elaine- Pay attention- you might learn something. Being a Texas Diva, there is nothing I can share with you that you obviously don’t know. Ant further insults will be dealt with accordingly. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know what kind of actor you think you are David. The reason I never responded to your  questions concerning my age range( God forbid I screwed up and neglected to post it with the question.} Whew… Is because of your attitude. The people that are real professionals have the info they need to advise me. You my dear shouldn’t be giving advice to anyone.  Get a life and get off of your High Horse. Age RANGE- You know what that is- It’s written on your face! You don’t have to tell- Physigonomy is destiny. See how it might help to know  about that before suggesting monologues to people who don’t know enough to supply the basic facts??? And then they shoot their mouths off when they are scolded while parading about, telling people they are "Actors". God, and we wonder why people think Actors are stupid. I am done with it. I guess this shows your level of understanding of the business.  You should NEVER EVER EVER tell ANYONE how old you are.  That can limit your ability to be cast .Play her as a dottering old crone, after = all, why let a casting director know how old you are?????? Get a clue. Saen "Ducking for apples, change one letter and its the story of my life!" Dorothy Parker

Response:

I guess this shows your level of understanding of the business.  You should NEVER EVER EVER tell ANYONE how old you are.  That can limit your ability to be cast .Play her as a dottering old crone, after = all, why let a casting director know how old you are?????? Get a clue.

Saen "Ducking for apples, change one letter and its the story of my life!" Dorothy Parker

Response:

I don’t know what kind of actor you think you are David. The reason I never responded to your  questions concerning my age range( God forbid I screwed up and neglected to post it with the question.} Whew… Is because of your attitude. The people that are real professionals have the info they need to advise me. You my dear shouldn’t be giving advice to anyone.  Get a life and get off of your High Horse.

Age RANGE- You know what that is- It’s written on your face! You don’t have to tell- Physigonomy is destiny. See how it might help to know  about that before suggesting monologues to people who don’t know enough to supply the basic facts??? And then they shoot their mouths off when they are scolded while parading about, telling people they are "Actors". God, and we wonder why people think Actors are stupid. I am done with it.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I guess this shows your level of understanding of the business.  You should NEVER EVER EVER tell ANYONE how old you are.  That can limit your ability to be cast .Play her as a dottering old crone, after = all, why let a casting director know how old you are?????? Get a clue. Saen "Ducking for apples, change one letter and its the story of my life!" Dorothy Parker

Response:

Age RANGE- You know what that is- It’s written on your face! You don’t have to tell- Physigonomy is destiny. See how it might help to know  about that before suggesting monologues to people who don’t know enough to supply the basic facts??? And then they shoot their mouths off when they are scolded while parading about, telling people they are "Actors". God, and we wonder why people think Actors are stupid. I am done with it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I guess this shows your level of understanding of the business.  You should NEVER EVER EVER tell ANYONE how old you are.  That can limit your ability to be cast .Play her as a dottering old crone, after = all, why let a casting director know how old you are?????? Get a clue. Saen "Ducking for apples, change one letter and its the story of my life!" Dorothy Parker

Response:

WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM! YOU DON’T HAVE TO YELL!

<g  Is that irony or your part? Mary, you may have read recent alt.acting posts suggesting a return to civility (stick around long enough, and you’ll see the same these pop up in 3 or 6 months.  Constructive dialogue is a difficult value to maintain on an NG that is not moderated. And since it is unmoderated, as much as a FAQ on questions such as yours might provides some solutions, it is unlikely (I speak from experience) that any one or two ot three individuals would take the risk to write a FAQ (a time-intensive project), much less maintain it.   Alt.acting, at its best has helped many an actor/director over the years I’ve been involved.  And at its worst, it is almost always a perfect example of anarchy (still, it is entertaining.)  There are people on this group who have earned a right to offer advice, and there are also folks who have hidden agendas, attitudes and a distinct design on making trouble to get attention (I guess they are called trollers.) You, Mary, are entitled to ask such a question…. in a sense, to check out what other people might suggest.  I used to do the same thing with my past mentors…. but these were mentors who KNEW my work, and thus could point me in the direction of a cutting or two that might demonstrate my skills, my talent.  Those same mentors always encouraged me to concentrate on material for which I was age appropriate.   Years later, Mary, as an actor/director/coach, I do not offer monologue suggestions to folks whose work I’ve not seen. I simply ignore the public requests and yes, the e-mailed requests…. <g last week, an actor who is auditioning for the National Theatre Conservatory (based in Denver, my home base) e-mailed me, asking me if his choices for his audition (a cutting from Cymbeline and a Neil Simon comedy, both of which I knew) were appropriate for him.  And the best that I could do was to mention that neither cuttings were on the official "Monologues Directors Never Want to Hear or See Again" list.   My Studio actors get the benefit of my knowledge of plays and screenplays because I know their work, and also have over the years nurtured a close relationship with casting directors, agents, stage directors, auditors who share with me their tips: 1)  Actors should select material that is age appropropriate…. you ought not be doing Polonius if you’re 22…. wait a few decades. 2)  Actors ought to know their type…. ingenue, juvenile, romantic male or female, leading male or female, character actor (male or female) and select material supportive of type.  We’re not likely to see a 275 pound Juliet. I do hope you get a few suggestions from this list.  My personal style is to suggest that actors just simply get into the habit of reading plays, vast quantities of plays…. by all means, visit your local bookstore, subscribe to STAGE & SCREEN, get catalogues from Samuel French and Dramatists….. see 4 stage shows a month in your search for material, take a couple of college courses in dramatic lit., take workshops or classes with qualified coaches and teachers.  Yes, it’s a tedious process, but that’s life.   Break a leg, Bill — THE ACTING STUDIO http://gvtg.com/theactingstudio

Response:

The only clue I have is that you & a few others have shown a lot of childish & unprofessional behavior. I don’t have time for this.

Ok, I am tired of the Martyr act- Just do Joan of Arc! Hell, just do it extemporaneously- better yet, Play her as a dottering old crone, after all, why let a casting director know how old you are?????? Get a clue. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM! YOU DON’T HAVE TO YELL! Who’s got your panny’s in a wad? What’s the big deal? Maybe what I’m looking for is above your knowledge?eh? Isn’t this supposed to be a sharing group? I’m DAMN tired myself of being blasted every time I ask for ideas/suggestions. What  do you want to do? Run everybody off. You don’t know me from Adam and have no idea what my needs or limitations are so quit being so presumptious. CHILL OUT!    I HAVE done some research and this is part of it. Just thought I’d see what others suggestions might be. Age  isn’t always a factor. This is extremely limiting and any good actor can take something & work it to their advantage if they want too. I can make those decisions myself.  I sure wouldn’t want to give a lot of hints about my age to a CD by the piece I was doing. Talk about true limitations.  Some genius, like yourself since you are sooo great might have some unique idea. I don’t want something a 1/2 dozen others have done. What do suggestions have to do with work anyway? The work is in the performance. Ed would never respond the way you have. Puzzled, Mary As Quoted before, "Only bad Actors have narrow minds" I am looking for an Audition piece which is funny but also has a range of emotions in it. Something fairly current. No classics please.  Any ideas? Okay, I’ll say it this time so Ed can take a break.  And I won’t be as nice. HOW THE HELL CAN ANYBODY RECOMMEND ANYTHING TO YOU WITHOUT KNOWING HOW OLD YOU ARE?? Jesus, all we ever get around here are dopey requests like this from people who (a) are too damned lazy to research material on their own and (b) aren’t even bright enough to let us know their age range so somebody who is foolish enough to do Mary’s work for her can come up with something that might be halfway appropriate. DAMN!

Response:

Can we say the phrase "self-righteous" ?Let’s practice saying it together,shall we? Get off your high horse there,pal and take a valium or something… it was a simple question that didn’t merit such venom. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for an Audition piece which is funny but also has a range of emotions in it. Something fairly current. No classics please.  Any ideas? Okay, I’ll say it this time so Ed can take a break.  And I won’t be as nice. HOW THE HELL CAN ANYBODY RECOMMEND ANYTHING TO YOU WITHOUT KNOWING HOW OLD YOU ARE?? Jesus, all we ever get around here are dopey requests like this from people who (a) are too damned lazy to research material on their own and (b) aren’t even bright enough to let us know their age range so somebody who is foolish enough to do Mary’s work for her can come up with something that might be halfway appropriate. DAMN!

Response:

Ok, I am tired of the Martyr act- Just do Joan of Arc! Hell, just do it extemporaneously- better yet, Play her as a dottering old crone, after all, why let a casting director know how old you are?????? Get a clue. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM! YOU DON’T HAVE TO YELL! Who’s got your panny’s in a wad? What’s the big deal? Maybe what I’m looking for is above your knowledge?eh? Isn’t this supposed to be a sharing group? I’m DAMN tired myself of being blasted every time I ask for ideas/suggestions. What  do you want to do? Run everybody off. You don’t know me from Adam and have no idea what my needs or limitations are so quit being so presumptious. CHILL OUT!    I HAVE done some research and this is part of it. Just thought I’d see what others suggestions might be. Age  isn’t always a factor. This is extremely limiting and any good actor can take something & work it to their advantage if they want too. I can make those decisions myself.  I sure wouldn’t want to give a lot of hints about my age to a CD by the piece I was doing. Talk about true limitations.  Some genius, like yourself since you are sooo great might have some unique idea. I don’t want something a 1/2 dozen others have done. What do suggestions have to do with work anyway? The work is in the performance. Ed would never respond the way you have. Puzzled, Mary As Quoted before, "Only bad Actors have narrow minds" I am looking for an Audition piece which is funny but also has a range of emotions in it. Something fairly current. No classics please.  Any ideas? Okay, I’ll say it this time so Ed can take a break.  And I won’t be as nice. HOW THE HELL CAN ANYBODY RECOMMEND ANYTHING TO YOU WITHOUT KNOWING HOW OLD YOU ARE?? Jesus, all we ever get around here are dopey requests like this from people who (a) are too damned lazy to research material on their own and (b) aren’t even bright enough to let us know their age range so somebody who is foolish enough to do Mary’s work for her can come up with something that might be halfway appropriate. DAMN!

Response:

WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM! YOU DON’T HAVE TO YELL!  Who’s got your panny’s in a wad? What’s the big deal?  Maybe what I’m looking for is above your knowledge?eh? Isn’t this supposed to be a sharing group? I’m DAMN tired myself of being blasted every time I ask for ideas/suggestions. What  do you want to do? Run everybody off. You don’t know me from Adam and have no idea what my needs or limitations are so quit being so presumptious. CHILL OUT!     I HAVE done some research and this is part of it. Just thought I’d see what others suggestions might be. Age  isn’t always a factor. This is extremely limiting and any good actor can take something & work it to their advantage if they want too. I can make those decisions myself.  I sure wouldn’t want to give a lot of hints about my age to a CD by the piece I was doing. Talk about true limitations.  Some genius, like yourself since you are sooo great might have some unique idea. I don’t want something a 1/2 dozen others have done. What do suggestions have to do with work anyway? The work is in the performance. Ed would never respond the way you have. Puzzled, Mary As Quoted before, "Only bad Actors have narrow minds" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for an Audition piece which is funny but also has a range of emotions in it. Something fairly current. No classics please.  Any ideas? Okay, I’ll say it this time so Ed can take a break.  And I won’t be as nice. HOW THE HELL CAN ANYBODY RECOMMEND ANYTHING TO YOU WITHOUT KNOWING HOW OLD YOU ARE?? Jesus, all we ever get around here are dopey requests like this from people who (a) are too damned lazy to research material on their own and (b) aren’t even bright enough to let us know their age range so somebody who is foolish enough to do Mary’s work for her can come up with something that might be halfway appropriate. DAMN!

Response:

I am looking for an Audition piece which is funny but also has a range of emotions in it. Something fairly current. No classics please.  Any ideas? Thanks Mary

Response:

I am looking for an Audition piece which is funny but also has a range of emotions in it. Something fairly current. No classics please.  Any ideas?

Okay, I’ll say it this time so Ed can take a break.  And I won’t be as nice. HOW THE HELL CAN ANYBODY RECOMMEND ANYTHING TO YOU WITHOUT KNOWING HOW OLD YOU ARE?? Jesus, all we ever get around here are dopey requests like this from people who (a) are too damned lazy to research material on their own and (b) aren’t even bright enough to let us know their age range so somebody who is foolish enough to do Mary’s work for her can come up with something that might be halfway appropriate. DAMN!

Response:

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