Remember "Strong writing equals strong acting" so do all you can to seek out the strongest writing possible.
Not sure where to find scene/monologue material?
1 - Go to "Reading & Resources" on your dashboard and look at "Recommended scenes and monologues" and see what resonates for you!
2- Also under "Reading & Resources" under "Recommended & Required Reading" - look at the Syllabus - We include a list of over 250 of the strongest playwrights and screenwriters
3- If you're new with us, please let us know ahead of time what monologue you're thinking of working on the first time in class. Email workshop@tomtodoroff.com with the link to the text or a pdf / jpg of it. Your piece does NOT need to be from our list of recommendations - that list is there to just give you ideas and help get you started!
Still not sure if the piece you've chosen is a great fit for you? Then sign up to do a "Work Read" of a few possible scripts you're considering working on - meaning, you're not off-book.
The intention here is to decide which of the scripts you've selected is the most appropriate piece (or pieces) for you to learn! Just select "work read" when you submit your performer request form.
When selecting material, ensure you are starting with the written beginning and extracting a passage that's 1-2 minutes in length for monologues and 3-4 minutes in length for scenes. Please avoid starting in the middle. This interrupts the flow and architecture as intended by the author and often makes less sense when performed out of context.
Choose age appropriate material (meaning the age range you would be likely be cast in).
Use the appropriate accent or dialect for the text. (hint: check out where the story takes place and do some research. If you're not comfortable with the dialect required to tell the story - then choose a piece that doesn't require an accent or dialect).
We strongly recommend that - that in the piece you choose - you want something urgently right now (in the present moment). Please avoid poems and/or memory pieces that involve discussing an event that happened in the past as these are inherently less dramatic and harder to motivate.
Choose a piece you LOVE, that you're passionate about! Avoid anything that feels like sarcasm, cynicism. Sarcasm and cynicism are not emotions - they are not useful to an actor's growth.
Make sure your piece can STAND ON ITS OWN. This means it has a clear beginning, middle and an end outside the context of the play or screenplay - so you're able to tell a clear story.
Please do not work on really well known/blockbuster/Oscar-winning films, as they are already so closely associated with specific actors.
FYI Works by European authors typically can be performed in any European dialect.
FYI Shakespeare need not be performed with a British accent, unless you're in fact British.
Consider using what clothing or props are available to you to tell the story (as necessary).