Most college auditors from programs that are worthwhile would definitely expect a student auditioner/applicant to know the play from which the monologue is taken, and be able to discuss their creative choices, their understanding of the given circumstances, the "moment before", etc; particularly those programs that require an audition for entry. The student should also be ready to work their piece with an interested auditor, and be able to make any adjustment asked of them, even if it departs from the patterns that they have rehearsed. Especially so, as a good auditor will want to explore how rigid they are in their choices, and how open they are to "play".
Having supervised theatre auditions for Interlochen in past years for over two decades, I would STRONGLY advise your students to avoid "stand-alone" monologues on the internet. The quality of most of them that I've seen are substandard, they don't give the student the kind of challenges that creating a believable 2 minutes out of their understanding of dramatic context would give them--and perhaps most importantly: if they want to avoid the work of studying an entire play in order to prepare audition monologues, they might want to reconsider spending money for a college program in theatre. It's the disciplined, passion-driven young actors who have the best chance for long-term success in this tough profession, not the ones who might have some "natural" talent but look for ways to avoid necessary work.
It's also a good idea to have more monologues prepared than the schools actually require, especially if you're auditioning for the more competitive college theatre programs; if they require 2, have 4 prepared. And if you list a role performed on your resume, be prepared to talk about your work on that role--and maybe even be able to do a monologue from it if asked by the auditor.
And yes....have hard copies of your picture and resume to leave with the auditor.
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David Montee
Instuctor, Theatre Division
Interlochen MI
Author of Translating Shakespeare: A Guidebook for Young Actors
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-07-2015 14:05
From: Mark Bishop
Subject: College Auditions
Cathy,
I would definitely say yes to having a hard copy of resume and headshot. And would agree that at least knowing the context of the full play would be a very good idea. On line research could help as well for plot/character synopsis. Iwill also tell you about a fantastic organzation located in Boston, MA called My College Audition. This is a business founded by an Emerson College Grad to assist students in the college audition process. I have refereed my students to MCA enthusiastically for two reasons. First, they make it their business to know and understand the various colleges and what their expectations are. While we all know how to nurture and develop high school actors, I don't think any of us have the time to really be able to understand the field of the college admission/audition/application process. This is MCA's business. They know what material to avoid for auditions. They have excellent coaches who will work with students in person or via skype or face time. And, in the five years they have been in business, they have a 100% success rate in their clients earning acceptance at BA and BFA programs that require auditions. I guess that's more than two....
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Mark Bishop
Washington DC
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-07-2015 11:55
From: Cathy Archer
Subject: College Auditions
I have three students auditioning for Colleges in Nebraska. I have a couple of questions.. I have always insisted that my students pick a monologue from a play and read the whole play. Is this an expectation of the college representatives? There are so many monologues that are stand alone on the internet that my students insist they want to do them! Also should they have hard copies of their resume and head shots to give colleges?
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Cathy Archer
Rutland VT
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