Monologue selections from Shakespeare have traditionally consisted of a few well-known speeches that every experienced auditor has heard over and over again. Most students have read a few plays at best and are unprepared to go through all 37 in search of a suitable monologue.

...and One Classical: A Shakespeare Audition Handbook is designed to help you navigate the many choices by providing a selection of quality pieces divided by gender, genre and type. Once you have settled on a few options that suit your age, experience, taste and abilities, you can use this website to learn how to present your audition successfully.

The eight speeches introduced here address one or more of the most common challenges and pitfalls associated with the Shakespearian audition and auditions in general. You can read the annotations, watch the videos, listen to the actors attentively, follow along with the text and then practise your own versions of these pieces or others that you may wish to prepare.

Plays

Props Play: Two Gentlemen of Verona Scene: I, 2: 99 – 130 Character: Julia Setting: Julia's home, Verona

Blocking Play: The Tempest Scene: II, 2; 18 &ndash 40 Character: Trinculo Setting: A desert island

Contrasts Play: A Midsummer Night's Dream Scene: III, 2: 6 – 34 Character: Puck Setting: A wood near Athens

Humour in a Serious Speech Play: Richard III Scene: I, 1: 1 – 40 Character: Richard Setting: The city of London, outside the palace

Emotion Relived Play: Hamlet Scene: II, 1; 78 – 85, 88 – 101 Character: Ophelia Setting: Polonius’ quarters in Elsinore

Imagery Conveyed Through Language Play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Scene: II, 4; 171 – 187 Character: Oberon Setting: A wood near Athens

Connection to the Audience Play: Measure for Measure Scene: II, 1: 155 – 174 Character: Isabella Setting: Angelo’s house

Language/Message vs. Character Play: Henry V Scene: IV, 0; 1 – 28 Character: Chorus Setting: Prologue