As you're standing in line for the audition, you check your appearance as your stomach rolls with anticipation. I hope I don't forget my lines! One by one the people in line before you enter the audition room and exit in an instant. You try to decipher the looks on their faces as they pass by. Is she excited? Did she get the part? Then the moment comes. You scope out the judges as you enter the room and take your mark. Then it happens..... as you're staring into the eyes of your audience, your anxiety disappears and you become someone else. You become the character and nothing else matters as the character's words pour out of your mouth. And in the back of your mind, you know that this is the only way to deliver a great monologue.

I had never acted before and I didn't really know how to audition for a TV commercial or show. I did have an amazing acting coach, though, and he helped me realize my full potential. Modeling was a lot easier. Just stand and position yourself how you're told. But acting, that's a different can of worms. You have to make people believe that you are someone else. When it's done right, it's incredible.

The monologue should relate to your age and your gender. That will make it more believable and easier to act out. I had a tough time finding mine. I wanted something original and doing a simple internet search for a monologue for a young woman would have put me in the same boat as everyone else. I wanted to give the judges something they probably wouldn't hear 10 million times. I figured that it would be a difficult task to find an original monologue because I'd be competing against (literally) thousands of girls my age.

I thought about writing my own, but I didn't trust my writing ability. Then I had an idea. As I was sitting in my Psychology class on campus, I spotted a girl I went to high school with and I remembered that she was a brilliant actor. I grabbed her after class and told her about my dilemma. She said she'd think about it for awhile and get back to me with a good monologue. When I saw her in class a couple of days later she said, "I have it! There's a great monologue that would be perfect for you in the Steinbeck play Of Mice and Men." So I did some research and found the scene she told me to look for. She was right. It was perfect for me!

The part was a young woman thinking back on her dreams as a teenager. She wanted to become an actress and she thought that she had a way to make those dreams come true. These words are a bit different than how they appear in the book, because the monologue was slightly changed to help me become the character.

" 'Nother time, I met a guy an' he was in pitures. Went out to the Riverside Dance Palace with him. He says he was gonna put me in the movies. Says I was a natural. Soon's he got back to Hollywood he was gonna write me ‘bout it. I never got that letter. I always thought my old lady stole it! I ask'd her ‘bout it too, an' she says no. So, um... I married Curley. Met him out at the Riverside Dance Palace that same night. Are you listenin'? I ain't told this to nobody before. And maybe I oughtn't to. I don't like Curley. He ain't a nice fella. I could've been in the movies. Cuz this guy says I was a natural. "

After months of memorization, practice, and help from phenomenal acting coaches, I figured out how to become the character and deliver the lines in a meaningful and convincing way. Here is the same monologue with the lines broken down and notes on what I did to make the words come alive!

(changed into character before stepping through the door; skipped into the room and bounced to a halt on my mark; excited; waited for my cue)

" 'Nother time, I met a guy an' he was in pitures! (act excited)

Went out to the Riverside Dance Palace with him. (twirl your dress as though you were dancing)

He says he was gonna put me in the movies! Says I was a natural. (emphasize the "I" and act snotty and content)

Soon's he got back to Hollywood he was gonna write me ‘bout it! (act excited like you're still gonna get the letter someday, but then let your smile fade and face go slack with disappointment)

I never got that letter. (look mad, really mad)

I always thought my old lady stole it! (say "stole" with venom)

I ask'd her ‘bout it too, an' she says no. (emphasize the "she-says-no" like you're making fun of her)

So, I married Curley. (say this line matter-of-factly like you did it to get back at your mom)

Met him out at the Riverside Dance Palace that same night. (say it like 'I showed her!')

Are you listenin'? (whisper this part and look around)

I ain't told this to nobody before, and maybe I oughtn't to. (look worried; twist your fingers in your hand; put on a face that begs for sympathy)

I don't like Curley. He ain't a nice fella. (look incredibly sad like you're remembering the times that Curley beats you; stop for a moment like you're thinking then look up as though you're dreaming)

I could've been in the movies. (say it as though you're trying to convince them)

Cuz this guy says I was a natural. (look pleased and content; looking up at the sky and batting your lashes; hold character for a few moments then break) "

To make my Southern character come to life, I not only had to develop a convincing Southern accent, but I had to dress like the times. I tried to picture what she looked like, and having seen the movie in a high school English class years ago, I remembered that she wore a dress. It was a pretty dress. Very flirty and feminine, but not of great quality. It was though she was trying to appear stylish and sophisticated, but she was always gonna be chained to the farm.

I found a perfect 20's style cocktail dress. It was black with a large red embroidered flower near the hem. The full shirt really expanded and flowed when I skipped or twirled, and I just knew that my character would love the dress. My hair would be manipulated to resemble the appropriate wave style of the era and my lips would be stained with bright red lipstick to match the times. With all of that, it was incredibly easy to become my character.

Well, that's how I did it! And sure enough, I did get the call-back that I hoped for. In fact, I placed in the Top 10! That's out of thousands of auditions, folks! I attribute my successful audition to a wonderful monologue that was age appropriate, well written, and full of different emotions to act out. I hope that you find the right monologue for you and that you easily transform into the character. Good luck!