10 Best Audition Monologues for Actors: All You Need to Know

In this article, we have discussed the best audition monologues for actors, as well as additional resources.

Understandably, a list of monologues for actors will never be perfect or suitable. It’s unwise to audition for characters you don’t like performing, as every actor or actress needs to fit the monologues.

The monologue must fit the actor, and the actor should also fit the monologue. If the monologue does not suit you and you hate performing it, it’s of no use learning it.

Choosing the right monologue for an audition can be the key to unlocking your next role. In 2025, casting directors seek actors who are authentic, emotionally connected to their characters, and versatile in their performances.

In this guide, we will explore 10 of the best audition monologues for actors in 2025, but we’ll also dive deep into what makes a great monologue and how to choose the one that fits you best.

What Makes a Good Audition Monologue?

Before selecting a monologue, it’s essential to understand the qualities that make it audition-worthy:

1. Authenticity

The monologue should resonate with you on a personal level. Authenticity is key in any performance, as it will allow you to connect emotionally with the audience and make your delivery feel natural. A piece that feels out of place or forced will not only affect your performance but also hinder your chance of impressing the casting director.

2. Character Depth

A monologue should give the actor room to explore the character’s motivations, inner conflicts, and psychological complexity. Directors look for actors who can bring depth to their characters, whether they’re speaking about a life-altering event or a simple daily routine.

3. Emotional Range

Choosing a monologue that allows you to explore different emotional states is crucial. Casting directors want to see versatility and control. You want to be able to shift from humor to sadness, or from passion to restraint, without losing the integrity of the character.

4. Length & Focus

Monologues should be short enough to hold attention, but rich enough to showcase your skills. The ideal length is typically between 1–2 minutes, enough to captivate but not overstay your welcome. Focus is essential — your performance should bring the audience into the world of the character, not lose them with excessive background information.

5. Memorability

A good monologue leaves an impression. It should be distinctive enough that your performance stays with the casting director after the audition is over. Whether it’s humorous, dramatic, or quirky, aim for a piece that sets you apart from other actors.

Also Read: List of the Amazing Audition Songs for Altos

10 Best Audition Monologues for Actors

Here, we will examine the best audition monologues for actors. This is our list of the best ten audition monologues for actors.

#1. Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare- Act 3, Scene 1

We are all familiar with the fine works of William Shakespeare. Measure for Measure is one of the plays written by William Shakespeare in the 15th century.

Any young actor will be interested in the character of Claudio in this play by William Shakespeare. In the play, Claudio has an interesting monologue addressed to his beloved sister.

Claudio was previously arrested for his lewd behaviour. His sister tells him to take his own life rather than commit this abominable act of forcing her to give up her virginity. He (Claudio) realizes that his life is in danger and tries to make his sister understand how he feels.

Character: Claudio

Overview: In this famous speech, Claudio grapples with the prospect of death and the moral dilemmas of his situation. The monologue explores themes of morality, justice, and redemption, providing a challenging piece for actors seeking to showcase their dramatic intensity.

Why It Works: This monologue is ideal for an actor seeking to showcase emotional range and vulnerability. It requires the ability to balance rhetorical eloquence with raw emotion.

#2. The Tempest by William Shakespeare- Act 2, Scene 2

In this William Shakespeare’s play titled “The Tempest”, a mature individual with a sense of humour should try Trinculo’s speech. It all started when he was seeking shelter from the storm, but he came upon a surprise in that situation.

In the monologue, there are some very hilarious lines and descriptions. Trinculo spoke these humorous lines and provided descriptions as he was disgusted by what he felt, saw, and smelled.

Character: Viola

Overview: In Twelfth Night, Viola navigates her identity and disguised role as a young man in love. This monologue is filled with wit, charm, and the conflicted emotions of a character caught between two worlds.

Why It Works: For young actors, this piece is ideal as it allows for both humor and emotional depth, showcasing versatility in performance.

#3. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare- Act 2, Scene 2

Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy written by William Shakespeare in the 1600s. This is one of his finest works and also one of the best audition monologues for actors.

Young actors or actresses will be interested in playing the character Viola in Twelfth Night. As a young actor, how often do you get to play the role of being disguised as a boy and have a beautiful lady fall in love with you?

Playing these characters is very exciting and important as they are not always available for young actors.

Character: Viola

Why It Works: For young actors, this piece is ideal as it allows for both humor and emotional depth, showcasing versatility in performance.

#4. The Seagull by Anton Chekhov- Konstantin’s Mothers Monologues

Anton Chekhov was a Russian short story writer and playwright. The Russian is considered one of the greatest writers of all time. As a playwright, Anton Chekhov produced four classics, and his works continue to be admired to this day.

In this play, Konstantin is complaining to his uncle about his mother’s selfishness and negligence. Konstantin proves that his mother has no love for him, and he is afraid of how things may turn out.

As an actor, if you are doing a monologue from a play written in a foreign language, it’s highly recommended that you choose a suitable translation. Also, ensure you sound natural when speaking the language.

Character: Konstantin

Overview: Konstantin is a struggling artist, frustrated by the lack of recognition for his work and his strained relationships. The monologue reveals his internal conflict, making it an excellent choice for actors looking to portray emotional depth and inner turmoil.

Why It Works: The monologue provides an opportunity for an actor to explore melancholy, jealousy, and self-doubt, showcasing a range of complex emotions.

Also Read: 35 Plays for High School: The Ultimate List

#5. The Seagull by Anton Chekhov- Masha’s Husband Monologue

In this play written by Anton Chekhov, Masha is in a difficult situation of making decisions. She is one of the most fascinating characters in modern drama. However, Masha has a terrible monologue about her suitor.

He is a school teacher who loves Masha so dearly. Masha cannot stand her future husband, and she has her reasons for doing so.

Character: Masha

Overview: In this monologue, Masha expresses her frustration with her life and her unrequited love for Konstantin. It’s a beautiful piece that deals with disillusionment and emotional vulnerability.

Why It Works: This monologue is an excellent choice for actors interested in exploring unspoken pain, conveying inner sadness and vulnerability through understated performance.

#6. Dream Girl by Elmer Rice- Georgina’s Morning Monologues

As a young actor, this is one of the best audition monologues for actors and actresses to prepare.

Dream Girl is a play written by American playwright Elmer Rice. In this play, Georgina is the title character. She wakes up and performs her morning ritual in front of a mirror. This is what Georgina does typically every morning before she goes to work.

The ritual is considered funny, charming, and very accurate. Georgina, the title character in this play, can be regarded as a superstitious woman due to the ritual she performs every morning before going to work.

Character: Georgina

Overview: Georgina’s humorous yet poignant morning ritual reveals much about her character’s personality, beliefs, and daily routines. The monologue is charming, quirky, and an insightful take on superstition and self-perception.

Why It Works: Perfect for comedic actors, this piece offers an opportunity to showcase humor and timing, while subtly reflecting on vanity and self-awareness.

#7. Invitation to a March by Arthur Laurents- Camilla’s Intro Monologue

American playwright Arthur Laurents wrote Invitation to a March. In this play, Arthur Laurents begins with a middle-aged lady named Camilla Jablonski. She was addressing the audience with information about herself.

Camilla Jablonski told the audience where she lives, what she wants, and how she plans to get it. The entire storyline was honest and very hilarious.

Character: Camilla Jablonski

Overview: Camilla’s monologue is about self-expression and personal desires. She addresses the audience directly, revealing her individual goals and what drives her.

Why It Works: This is an intense monologue, ideal for character-driven performances, that suits actors who want to portray independence, charisma, and self-confidence.

#8. The Diary of a Scoundrel by Alexander Ostrovsky- Gloumov

Alexander Ostrovsky was one of the greatest Russian playwrights. He is considered the most outstanding representative of the Russian realist period.

The Diary of a Scoundrel is one of Alexander Ostrovsky’s finest works and also one of the best audition monologues for actors. In the play, there is a character named Gloumov. Kloepatra is Gloumov’s love interest.

Gloumov is a young man who falls in love with a wealthy woman, Kleopatra.

The monologue begins with “Can’t you see in my eyes that I’ll rather die than cause you a minute’s pain? The Dairy of a Scoundrel is a Russian play that requires translation. The best translation is Rodney Ackland’s translation.

The translation of this play is available for actors.

Character: Gloumov

Overview: Gloumov’s monologue is about his infatuation with a wealthy woman and the moral dilemmas he faces. It’s a complex character study in class struggle and emotional manipulation.

Why It Works: This piece is well-suited for actors seeking to explore the tension between romantic obsession and self-interest.

#9. Fear and Misery of the Third Reich by Bertolt Brecht- The Jewish Wife

Fear and Misery of the Third Reich was written by German playwright, theatre practitioner, and poet Eugene Berthold Friedrich Brecht. The play is also known as The Private Life of the Master Race. It’s one of the most famous plays written by Eugene Berthold Friedrich Brecht.

It’s a very long monologue that probably lasts for twenty minutes. Eric Bentley translated the play, which can be divided into various terrific parts.

In the play, a Jewish woman wants to leave her husband. The Jewish woman is talking to herself as she arranges and packs her suitcase. She also speaks with her while packing her suitcase.

In the end, she leaves her gentle husband for good. The Jewish woman chose to leave her husband because of her religion. She believes it will ruin her husband’s life if she stays.

Her gentle husband makes no effort to convince or try to stop her.

Character: The Jewish Wife

Overview: The Jewish Wife monologue is an emotional reflection on leaving her husband due to the rise of Nazi oppression. It explores themes of moral responsibility and personal sacrifice.

Why It Works: This monologue allows actors to convey moral conflict, personal loss, and emotional resilience. It’s particularly powerful for actors wanting to explore historical roles or emotionally charged performances.

#10. Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick by Terry Johnson- Imogen

Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick is a play written by English dramatist Terry Johnson. The main characters in this include Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor, and Imogen Hassall.

This play portrays the filming of the “Carry On” series, and it’s also about the off-screen love affair between “Carry On” films stalwarts, Sid James and Barbara Windsor.

In the play, Imogen, who is a sexy actor, had too much to drink. Imogen Hassall speaks to anyone ready to listen to her. She discusses her desire to be remembered as an iconic artist, rather than just as a voluptuous woman.

So the monologue begins with, “I’m surprised you even remembered me.”

This is one of the best audition monologues for young actors.

Character: Imogen

Overview: Imogen’s monologue reflects her ambition to be remembered as more than just a sexualized object. She seeks to carve out a legacy as an artist and icon.

Why It Works: This piece enables actors to explore both humor and seriousness, offering a range of emotions as the character navigates self-awareness and conflict.

Why are Auditions Important?

Auditioning is essential because it provides the casting team and directors with the information they need to assign actors to the best roles. A director knows precisely what they want when it comes to selecting actors for roles.

Directors visualize how they want a character to be, and anyone auditioning for a role must meet the standard. For actors to get a role, they must possess the charisma to portray a character on screen.

Let’s examine some actors who auditioned for a role but ultimately portrayed a different character in a movie.

In the movie Thor, English actor Tom Hiddleston auditioned for the role of Thor Odinson. Tom Hiddleston was not accepted to play the role of Thor Odison instead he was given the role to play Loki.

The casting team and directors accepted Chris Hemsworth to play the role of Thor Odinson. Despite not getting the role he wanted, Tom Hiddleston is the best actor to play Loki in the movie.

Through auditions, directors discover and select the best actors suitable for specific roles in movies. There are actors born to play a character, and other actors can hardly replace them.

Australian actor Hugh Jackman was born to play Wolverine, and he has embodied the character for many years. It will be difficult for people to see another actor playing Wolverine on screen.

Also Read: Free Play Scripts for Drama Students: All you need to know

How to Choose the Right Monologue for Your Audition

Selecting the right monologue for your audition can be a daunting task, but by following these steps, you’ll increase your chances of making a strong impression:

1. Know Your Type

Choose a monologue that fits your age, gender, and type (i.e., comedic, dramatic, villainous, romantic). Select pieces that play to your strengths.

2. Match the Genre

Understand the genre of the production you’re auditioning for. Whether it’s a drama, comedy, or musical, select a monologue that aligns with the tone.

3. Research the Character

Fully understand your character’s backstory, motivations, and psychological depth to make your performance believable.

4. Practice Delivery

Focus not just on memorizing the lines but on how you deliver them. Utilize emotion and physicality to engage the audience and make your monologue truly stand out.

Conclusion

The monologue should fit the actor and the actor must fit the monologue as well. It’s unwise to play a character you don’t like and should not take them up.

A good audition monologue is all about knowing what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Try to engage your audience with an interesting storyline and performance.

In 2025, the key to standing out in an audition is authenticity, emotional range, and the ability to inhabit your character fully.

The 10 best audition monologues for actors in this guide are ideal for showcasing these qualities. Remember, the right monologue is one that speaks to you as an actor, one you can perform with truth and passion. Choose wisely, prepare thoroughly, and let your performance shine through.

We hope this guide on the best Audition monologues for actors was helpful.

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Reference

https://www.backstage.com

10 Best Audition Monologues for Actors: All you need to know