The Complete Professional Audition by Daren Cohen

Author:Daren Cohen [Cohen, Darren R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-87535-8
Publisher: Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony
Published: 2010-06-08T16:00:00+00:00

Consider Imagery and Poetry

You may come across a contemporary text that is poetic in its style and feel. Don’t rule it out. This kind of monologue may be a perfect fit for you. Choosing one is similar to choosing any contemporary text: ask yourself, “Can I play/act this and make it work specifically and effectively?”

Here are monologues from two different Maria Irene Fornes plays. Both are written in a heightened poetic style. Decide whether either would be a good choice for an audition piece.

Promenade

By Maria Irene Fornes

MOTHER:

I saw a man lying in the street,

Asleep and drunk.

He had not washed his face.

He held his coat closed with a safety pin

And I thought, and I thought

Thank God, I’m better than he.

I have to live with my own truth,

I have to live with it.

You live with your own truth,

I cannot live with it.

I have to live with my own truth,

Whether you like it or not,

Whether you like it or not

There are many poor people in the world,

Whether you like it or not.

There are many poor people in the world.

But I’m not one of them.

I’m not one of them.

Someone’s been stealing my apples

But I’m not one of them,

I’m not one of them.

I know everything.

Half of it I really know,

The rest I make up,

The rest I make up.

Some things I’m sure of,

Of other things I’m too sure,

And of others I’m not sure at all.

People believe everything they hear,

Not what they see, not what they see.

People believe everything they hear,

But me, I see everything

Yes, I see everything.

The saddest day of my life was the day

That I pitied a despicable man.

And I’ve been sad ever since,

Yes, I’ve been sad ever since.

I’d like to go where a human being

Is not a strange thing,

Is not a strange thing.

When I go, no one will water my plants.

When I go, no one will water my plants.

No one … no one … no one …

Yes my children, you’ll find evil … some other time. Good night.

The Danube

By Maria Irene Forties

EVE: //This may be the last time I come here.// Here is where I first kissed you.// I kissed you that day, you know.// I kissed you because I could not help myself.// Now again I try to exert control over myself// and I can’t.// I know I look distressed.// I feel how my face quivers. And my blood feels thin.// And I can hardly breathe. And my skin feels dry.// I have no power to show something other than what I feel.// I am destroyed. And even if I try,// my lips will not smile.// Instead I cling to you and make it harder for you.// Leave now.// Leave me here looking at the leaves.// Good bye.// If I don’t look at you it may be that I can let you go.

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