How to Improve Your Monologue

Maybe you have an audition coming up, maybe you just want to improve your acting, either way you decided that you want to make your monologue better. These steps may be the difference between getting the call back or getting the boot.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Being Comfortable with Your Monologue

Knowing your monologue beforehand can help you in the process of memorization, movement, or really the entire audition.
See if you can figure out whether or not it came from a book, movie, or TV show. If it is, look over that part of the story about twice a day.
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If it is a kid getting in trouble with his parents, try researching tips on how to act more like a rebel. If it is a British guy getting kidnapped, research British accents, and how to act more fearful.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Memorizing

About once or twice should work. Make sure you pick out your monologue way ahead of the audition, and you should be ready to be off book (not looking at the words) by about two weeks in advance.
Fewer for shorter monologues, more for longer monologues. Then try to memorize it by each individual part. Memorizing two sentences a day could be a lot easier than ten sentences a day. As you progress, start linking the parts together.
Watching yourself say it can help you memorize it faster. Kind of like that one movie you watch where you can quote just about the entire movie, because you have watched it so many times.
If you tell yourself that you can't memorize it in time, will make your body naturally stop trying. If you tell yourself to work harder, you will get it done. Speaking this sentence out loud "I can memorize this whole thing before my audition" three times will boost your tolerance for memorization.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting into Character

Find out as much as you can about the speaker, even if it is not from a TV show/movie/book, you can find out a lot of info from your monologue itself. Look for keywords such as "I don't care" this is found more often than you'd think, and shows that your character is very laid back, doesn't worry, and won't sweat the small stuff.
Try the monologue with your regular accent first, if it has an accent, then research that accent and know that you only have to change a few letter sounds. For example "the doctor hates pears" in a British accent would sound like "tha docta hates pehs". But most people would probably make it "tha dohctah hahtes pahrs". Remember not to over-exaggerate the accent.
Movement is key. A lot of directors look for movement more than words because it shows expression. don't overdo it but don't under do it either.
Don't show up for an audition dressed in a school uniform if you are auditioning for a rebel. Find what you would think your character would wear. However, if you are required by a dress code to stay in a school uniform, then it is acceptable.
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Community Q&A

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Question
Can I edit, change, or add a few words in my monologue?
Community Answer
Yes, that's fine as long as your monologue still flows well and makes sense.
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Question
How should I do my monologue? Could I perform any scenes from movies in auditions?
Community Answer
You should perform your monologue with the truest emotions you can. Try to think of an event in your life where you felt the same way the character in the monologue did and then channel that. There are many acting methods out there, all different, so find one that works for you and then try your monologue again. As for the movie scenes, you would have to check with the director/casting director whom you are auditioning for to see if it's okay. It may be okay in high school productions, but not generally for bigger productions. They tend to want you to perform monologues from published plays.
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Question
My school requires uniform, so what should I wear for my audition?
Community Answer
Unless they allow you to wear a costume for the audition, just wear your uniform.
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Tips

Be mature around others who want your part as well, if the director sees how you handle others, they might give you bonus points.
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Warnings

If you end up not getting the part, don't blame your monologue. There are many things directors take into consideration for auditions.
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