Choosing your audition piece
Advice on choosing Monologues
Elizabethan/Jacobean Monologues
When choosing classical monologues, we would advise you to choose character monologues and not Chorus, Prologue or Epilogues. We would also suggest that you avoid non-human characters which tend towards excessive physical demonstration e.g. Puck from a Midsummer Night’s Dream or Ariel from The Tempest.
Contemporary Monologues
We are looking for a piece that has a clear contrast to Classical Monologues in character, journey and style. Therefore, we suggest avoiding modern plays that are written in verse or modern adaptations of older texts.
As we are looking for text-based and character-driven pieces demonstrating a good sense of truth, you should avoid choosing pieces that are Surrealist and Absurdist in style.
While applicants may wish to perform pieces that they feel are ‘challenging’ it is important to note that taking monologues out of the original context of the play and having them as a stand-alone speech, can mean that some speeches are not suitable for a 2–3-minute audition.
Therefore, we would suggest that you do not choose monologues (for your LAMDA audition) that employ racist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic themes, or is focused on sexual assault.
Additional Information
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Please make sure that you have read the plays that your speeches are from so that you are aware of the context.
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If you are editing your speech, please make sure that it makes sense as a stand alone speech. For example, if you are combining two short pieces to lengthen your monologue make sure that input from another character isn’t necessary.
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Please choose pieces that do not rely heavily on the use of props and costumes. Under no circumstances should you bring imitation weapons (to in person auditions) to use as props.
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The audition panel want to see your own creativity and interpretation of the text, don’t rely on performances from other actors or films of the monologues or direction from third parties.
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For in person auditions dress comfortably. Wear clothes that you can move easily in.
We strongly encourage you to find material from a play you like or are passionate about. Remember you can ask any drama teachers for suggestions. But, if you need help finding a piece, we've compiled this handy list of resources for you. Below you'll find a selection of contemporary pieces.
The Oberon book of Queer monologues
Hear Me Now: Audition Monologues for Actors of Colour
Oberon Modern Monologues for Women: Teens to Thirties
Oberon Modern Monologues for Men: Teens to Thirties
Oberon Book of Monologues for Black Actors
Faber Book of Monologues: Women
Radioactive Monologues for Men
Rebel Voices: Monologues for Women by Women
Audition Speeches for Black, South Asian and Middle Eastern Actors: Monologues for Men
Audition Speeches for Black, South Asian and Middle Eastern Actors: Monologues for Women
Radioactive Monologues for Women
