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O.k., it’s only slightly more fun to find a new monologue than it is to do your taxes without a calculator. But I was thrilled to discover the good folks at Backstage have brought the task into the 21st century with The Monologuer. The Monologuer is a resource to find dramatic and comedic monologues to assist you in preparing for auditions. It contains an assortment of classical and contemporary monologues from plays, including Shakespeare, for males, females, kids, and adults. You can search by author, gender, and theme. It’s a great resource which I highly recommend. Now that you have a world of audition monologues to choose from all in one place, here are some guidelines to help you sort through to find the ones that are just right for you. .   Your monologue should illuminate YOU • Choose a piece that lets you showcase the things that make you […]

Choosing the Perfect Audition Monologue

Talent Schmalent
I’ve been a working professional actor for over thirty years on Broadway, television, and concert stages all over the world.  In that time I’ve learned that the way we feel about our world is who we are.  Expressing that is what we have to offer and in doing so, we shape our destiny. . Artists, share what’s important to them.  When we step on a stage, rehearse or audition we communicate what is vitally important to us.  Our job is thinking long and hard about what we want to say; knowing deeply what it means to us and finding a way to say it so an audience will feel our words and be changed by them. There is no greater calling, responsibility or joy than that. . This life-long process is challenging and often difficult.  But anything worthwhile will likely be hard. Reward comes through exploration, awareness and discipline. . […]

Talent Schmalent!

6 things that changed my acting
These 6 simple tools will help you to be more specific and be more connected to your text. They will make your work clearer, deeper and more effective. . Make sure you understand the meaning of every word you say. Not just their dictionary definitions, but what those words mean to YOU PERSONALLY. If you have to say the word “brother,” you know the definition but how do you feel about it? Do you have a brother? Is he a pain in the butt? Do your parent’s like him best? Is he your best friend? If you’re religious you may think of “brother” in a spiritual sense – “we’re all brothers.” There’s no right or wrong as long as you share your personal, heartfelt point of view with us. The playwright or lyricist has written the words you speak. That’s their job. You are the artist. Your job is to […]

6 Things That Changed My Acting Forever!

film and tv 101
Feeling confident in a new place is always a plus. Knowing the language can help you not feel like a newbie. You’ll want to know these few basic terms before you go on set for the first time. Any other indispensable terms come to mind for this short list? Let me know and we’ll do an update. . Callback – A second (or third or fourth…) interview or audition. It means they’re interested in you. At a callback they may have you read with other actors in front of a producer or the director. . Booking – You’ve booked (gotten) the job! You have a booking. Write it in your book. . Scale – The minimum daily rate determined by the union (SAG/AFTRA), for actors under union contracts. . Call Sheet – A listing of which actors will be required for which scenes, and when they will be required. Call […]

TV & Film Terminology 101

books for actors
There are many good books about acting out there. With this short list I’ve tried to cover a lot practical ground (auditions, film acting, the business of acting and acting while singing). Are there other great books out there? You bet, but these are an excellent place to start. I hope you enjoy them. Let me know what you think! . Audition By Michael Shurtleff Insightful, enlightening, entertaining and inspiring, his 12 guideposts are the ammunition you need to tackle the challenge of any cold reading. . . Acting In Film By Michael Caine No nonsense advice from a straight up guy who also happens to be an academy award-winning actor (The Cider House Rules, Hannah and Her Sisters). He breaks down his approach to the craft of acting and explains what it takes to be a working actor. . Intent To Live By Larry Moss An excellent book from […]

Essential Books for Actors

performing when not 100%
Changes of season are a time we are susceptible to vocal issues due to colds, allergies, flu, etc. Here are a few tips for maintaining good vocal health: A -Eat well and exercise. Your overall health impacts your vocal health. Take care of yourself! A -Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water acts like lubrication to help your vocal cords vibrate efficiently. This borders on too much information but, if you’re doing hydration right you’ll have to pee more often. If you’re performing a demanding role work pee breaks in as part of your track. If you’re shooting, pee right before you go on set. A – Get adequate rest. Sleep is the great healer! Don’t underestimate its power. A -For obvious reasons, please don’t smoke. A -Try to avoid alcohol; it swells your vocal cords. Minimize caffeine too. (I know!) A -If you’re using your voice a lot, take vocal […]

Acting and Singing When You’re Not 100%

how to choose the perfect audition song
For many people choosing an audition song is about as much fun as a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. It really doesn’t have to be. It can actually be a lot of fun and as a bonus you get to hear all kinds of great music in the process. I hope the following general guidelines will help make the task of choosing material to use for auditions a little easier for you. . Surprise! Lyrics are more important than notes. I almost always read the lyric before I listen to the song. That’s how I decide if a song is right for me. Choose a song whose lyric moves you. If it makes you laugh or cry and you say to yourself “Wow, I get that” or “Ouch, I’ve been there” or “Damn, that’s what I want too,” it’s a good candidate for further investigation. When a […]

How to Choose an Audition Song