Sunday 12 January 2014

Back on track

Posted by 25 comments :
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Can I first just say that the incredible feedback and support I received after my last post was nothing short of overwhelming. Thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to email, comment on the post or message me directly. For me, it was a dark time devoid of support and motivation and although I still sometimes have down days - it is amazing just to know that so many of you are there for me.

I'm a lot happier than I was from September - early December. I think that it's mostly down to the Christmas holidays and having family at home all day. But of course, the holidays are over and it's time to get sorted before I slip under again.
2014 so far has been incredibly good to me. From half an hour past midnight onwards has made me incredibly happy and positive - of course, down to the new man in my life (cringe fest sorry). My friendship with my best friend is as strong as ever along with my family life and I don't want a thing to change. The only thing I need to get on track is a job.

I have applied for RADA. My date was originally on the 14th January (this Tuesday!) but I've had it moved to two weeks from now on the 27th. I am choosing between Phoebe and Rosalind from As You Like It for my Shakespearean text and am currently looking for a back up which will be needed in the recall and final round (if I reach it). I also have Viola's 'I left no ring' already memorised if all else fails. However, though I have a modern text on hold, I'm not entirely happy with it. And so I'm asking you, readership. I need a modern monologue.
-Woman
-Below the age of 25
-Any genre
-Must be from a published play
-Nothing before 1950
-As a side note also - does anyone know if it's acceptable at auditions to do a male monologue? I'm not too sure...

I'm sorry I've waited so long to post, but seriously thank you for everything.

25 comments :

  1. Anonymous13 January 2014 at 16:05

    Hi Heather,

    Just found your blog and really enjoying reading through it! So helpful and lovely to share your ups & downs along with you; I echo what's already been said - we'd love to see some vids from you so we can put an actor to the words! :)

    I have a question if you wouldn't mind, how are schools such as RADA, with monologues that contain a bit of strong swearing?! Did you pick up any opposition towards it during your rounds last year? I'm thinking of doing a piece I love but it has the C word quite a few times! Personally I think it's fine as it's not for the shock factor, it's just the character's language, but would Rada hate it? Thank you!
    X

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    1. Shanley13 January 2014 at 20:40

      Thank you for reading! I really wouldn't worry about language, it isn't really a big deal. As long as you can justify why you chose that speech so that it isn't just because it has swearing. X

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    2. Anonymous13 January 2014 at 22:38

      Thanks so much! Great advice xx

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  2. Lewis-James16 January 2014 at 00:25

    Hi heather,

    Glad to see you are back on track.

    I have a question about doing hamlets 'solid flesh' soliloquy as my audition speech for RADA. It is on the list for central and is very famous.

    Is this completely frowned upon to do a speech from another schools list? Is it a big risk to do something so famous?

    I've got another prepared as a back up but I don't connect with it half as much as hamlet.

    Thank you

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    1. Shanley16 January 2014 at 18:10

      Without a doubt, do the speech that you most connect with. I did a speech from the Central list last year and it was absolutely fine. I also had Lady M as my back up, which of course, is ridiculously overdone and not always well. As long as you are confident with your interpretation, you'll be fine. Good luck x

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    2. Anonymous29 January 2014 at 23:28

      thanks for the reply..
      the date is getting closer and closer!
      I popped into the gower street building the other day to 'pick up a prospectus' ... really i just wanted to see what it's like inside.
      the building looks amazing!
      So i guess there is no spilling the beans on what questions they asked you?
      thanks for this blog by the way, its been a joy to read
      from lewis-james
      xxx

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  3. Kate16 January 2014 at 23:43

    LOVED reading your blog and so glad you're back on track! It's so nice to have someone's journey to follow alongside my own! In terms of modern monologues, there are some good ones in The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson, but they are quite comic and if you're doing a comedy Shakespeare you might want something a bit more serious, so How Love is Spelt by Chloe Moss has quite a good one. If you're in the London area I'd go to Foyle's on Charing Cross Road because they always have a display of plays that have good monologues in them and they give you the casting breakdown which is mega helpful! xxxxx

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    1. Shanley17 January 2014 at 23:54

      Thank you for the suggestions, I'll check them out! Ah I love going into Foyles!!

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  4. puppet master17 January 2014 at 21:33

    Hey first can I say how great your blog is :) and second I don't think a male monologue is a good idea (personally and I have little experience) only because they recommend acting roles you realistically could do. I have a question about the monologues I have chosen. Both are slightly comedic, however very different. I am planning on doing Sebastian from "Twelfth Night". The monologue is the "This is the air; that is the glorious sun;" one which is rather light hearted and not exactly laugh out loud, but still slightly amusing. The modern one is from "The Caretaker" by Harold Pinter (I love him) and it is by Mick when he is confronting Davies. This one is more intense, but particularly comedic as it is comedy of menace and absurd. Are these monologues okay?

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    1. Shanley17 January 2014 at 23:57

      Thank you! Really nice choices there. For some schools i.e. RADA, they ask for a back up Shakespeare at the recall, and a new speech at the finals - so I would possibly choose a speech that isn't comedic. Just so they see a different, versatile you. Good luck!

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    2. puppet master18 January 2014 at 00:57

      by the way some good plays for female monologues I think are "Doubt" Sister James and for your shakespearean Winters Tale has some interesting ones :)

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    3. puppet master18 January 2014 at 00:59

      Oh and thank you that sounds like good advice since I am applying for RADA, got my date today, march 6th :)

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  5. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 16:15

    I applied for Mountview a week ago and haven't been given an audition, should i contact them?

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    1. Shanley19 January 2014 at 16:27

      Definitely not, they will get back to you as soon as they can but it can take a while. After 2/3 weeks, if you still haven't heard anything it's not abnormal - a friend of mine waited over a month last year. Just drop them a quick email to confirm they have received it, but don't ask "where's my date?!?!" ;)

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  6. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 19:16

    cheers. I have a speech which is 3mins long but i want to cut it to 1min 20 sec cause i dont like the second half of it, will that be ok for drama schools that want 3min monologues?

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    1. Shanley21 January 2014 at 23:38

      I'm honestly not too sure if 1 min 20 is enough. Possibly add more pauses or silent moments. Sorry I can't be more help. X

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  7. TashaK20 January 2014 at 19:45

    Fantastic blog! I am auditioning at RADA on the 28th! Super excited and good luck to you! With regards to your question about using a male monologue, RADA is the only school (that I'm auditioning for) that doesn't specify anything about the sex of the character. Because of this I'm so tempted to do a Hamlet monologue, it might make you stand out- but it is a risk as they do specify that you perform a character you could realistically be cast for. Having said that, I'm sure Shakespeare wouldn't have objected to a female Hamlet.. I've not auditioned at RADA before so I think you may have a better idea as to whether or not they'd be cool with that? There are just some awesome monologues for men out there, and as actors we have to be versatile.. right?

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    1. Shanley21 January 2014 at 23:42

      Yeah! I'm thinking the exact same thing! But I haven't seen it done before in my drama school experiences so I'm not too sure...

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    2. LeAnne5 March 2014 at 05:08

      Hi Heather, many friends of mine have done the Chorus monologue from Henry V, and I'm working on a monologue from Richard 11 "....bring me the glass". So no. I think if you bring conviction to the monologue, you could easily make a male monologue work. Also, another plug for male monologues is, one of my best friends, she was just cast in a production of AS YOU LIKE IT, as Jaques. Make it your own, and rock it.

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    3. LeAnne5 March 2014 at 05:10

      How could they argue with an actor's choice of monologue if they bring their A-Game, as you will? I say damn convention, and if a male monologue grabs you, to go ahead and run with it.

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  8. Anonymous21 January 2014 at 21:02

    Glad that you are back on track :) Will you still be uploading a video or two of your audition speeches as you mentioned a few posts ago? This would be so so insightful and helpful to all of us!! Good luck for RADA xx

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    1. Shanley21 January 2014 at 23:43

      I've just started a new job so it's all down to timing. Maybe next month? I'll try my best! And thank you x

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  9. Anonymous22 January 2014 at 15:43

    whats your new job?

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  10. Unknown26 January 2014 at 05:33

    Glad you are feeling better! I have been very down before, I know how difficult it can be to get out of it.

    I'm unsure of the character's age, she may be older than 25, but one of my favourite monologues is from The Food Chain by Nicky Silver, the character of Amanda. She has a hilarious monologue. The only thing is that it's very, very long, so you'd have to cut it for sure.

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Thank you for commenting - it means a lot to me when I hear feedback. I will try to reply as quickly as possible!

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