How to Choose the Right Audition Monologues & Songs (Without Losing Your Mind)

A production of Indecent by Paula Vogel at The Juilliard School - Group 51.

If you’re applying to an intense BFA or MFA acting program, you’ve probably already been told to “just go to the library and read every play on the shelf until you find the right monologue for you."

Let’s be honest: That advice is well-meaning—but it’s also overwhelming, wildly inefficient, and for many actors (myself included), deeply unhelpful.

Here’s why: the world of plays is enormous. Randomly browsing through stacks of scripts in search of a monologue is like digging for a needle in a haystack, blindfolded. Even if you do find a writer whose work you love, there’s no guarantee that their characters, themes, or language are a good fit for you.

I’ve fallen in love with characters only to realize they’re written for someone decades older than me, or from a completely different background where the identity is essential to the storytelling. Other times, the writing I adore just doesn’t include that ideal audition-friendly monologue with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

It can feel demoralizing. So let’s shift the approach. Let's make our goal clear: Monologues are NOT about finding what we think the faculty or director will like. We want to choose a monologue that encapsulates who you are to your audience. My best advice is to choose a monologue that speaks so clearly to the reason you're an artist, that you won't even be nervous on audition day. You believe in what you're saying in your monologue so deeply, you want this story to be told so much, that you just need other human beings to hear it - and your audience that day, whether that human being happens to be the head of Juilliard or not, needs to hear it. Something where when you embody that character, you can tell yourself, "I love this person. I want to give them a voice. Their experience needs to be shared and paid attention to. Here, listen to them through me." All of us have the capacity and drive to care about a story or a character that deeply. And we should find monologues we feel that passionately about. So - how?

Step 1: Start With What You Already Love

Instead of starting from scratch, start with something you already feel deeply connected to. A play. A film. A novel. A TV show. Something that makes your heart beat faster. Something where you see yourself—or at least see the parts of yourself that you want to share.

There’s a good chance that somewhere in that beloved piece of writing is a monologue that could work beautifully for you. Even if the character is a different age or race, as long as those aspects aren’t essential to the content of the monologue itself, you can still make it yours.

When I auditioned for Juilliard, I did a monologue from Scorched by Wajdi Mouawad—a French-Lebanese play featuring a character named Nawal whose life experience is very different from my own. But I connected to the language with a kind of urgency I couldn’t ignore, and it worked.

Step 2: Reverse-Engineer the Feeling

If you don’t find anything usable in a piece you love, ask yourself why you love it.

Let’s say you adore Paula Vogel’s Indecent but can’t find a solid monologue in it. You might think, “Okay, what do I love about this piece? Is it the theme of queer love? The bravery of artists resisting censorship? The Jewish identity of the characters, in the face of genocide? The beauty of Yiddish theatre?”

Once you identify the core feeling or theme, you can seek out other plays or films that live in a similar emotional world. For example:

• If you’re drawn to the story of Jewish artists under oppression, you might look into screenplays like The Brutalist.

• If you love artists who challenge tradition, try Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom or Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

• If you love a queer historical perspective, try Gross Indecency.

And if you don’t know where to start with finding new material, here’s the surprising part:

Step 3: Use AI (Yes, Really)

New AI tools can actually help you discover new works based on detailed emotional or thematic descriptions. You can tell ChatGPT, “I’m looking for a story about queer identity and artistic rebellion, something that feels lyrical and high-stakes like Indecent,” and you might walk away with three new titles to explore.

Will AI make up a play or two? Almost always, and its annoying to follow up on a list and realize 2 of the 5 aren't real at all or were described inaccurately. But you’ll also usually get 3 accurate new paths of discovery. One of my favorite Musical Theatre audition songs is from The Pirate Queen - and I discovered it trying to find material similar to SUFFS. I asked AI, and it sent me in that direction. I never would have found that looking through random sheet music on my own.

Step 4: The Best Shortcut? Ask For Help

Here’s the truth: getting help can save you weeks—if not months—of trial and error. Ask your current teacher/professor/mentor - or some of your more well-read friends. Maybe one of them has a character in their mind that you're just perfect for and connect to immediately. But if those people are too busy, or give that same flawed advice of "just go to the library", here's where we come in.

At Acting Coaching Online, we specialize in this exact kind of work. We’ve read hundreds of plays and are constantly keeping tabs on new ones being produced across the country. If you tell us what you’re drawn to, we can help match you with pieces that actually fit you, and then coach you until it feels alive, personal, and unforgettable.

You don’t have to do it alone. And you shouldn’t. The right monologue or song isn’t just about showing off your technique. It’s about showing who you are—and we’re here to help you do just that.

Need help finding your perfect audition material? Book a consultation with us at Acting Coaching Online – we’ll make sure you walk into the room with pieces that actually speak for you.