Drama Colleges

can you use sonnets to audition for drama schools?

Im trying to think of monologues to use for auditioning this year, for drama schools in the UK. can you use a sonnet instead of a character-spoken monologue?

Public Comments

1. No. I've been there and done it...I auditioned 2 years running before gaining places at R.A.D.A. and The Drama Centre.....don't use a sonnet....choose a speech.....some publish a list that you have to choose from whilst others leave it up to you but believe me a sonnet would not go down well....I''ve sat in on many audition panels at colleges since I completed my training.
2. No, don't. You can't show the emotional journey of a character through a sonnet. Sonnets only explore one emotion or thought, so there isn't enough scope for you to show what you can do. But what about all the descriptive words? I hear you ask. Still no. In your speech, find every possible way to bring out description with your voice and emotion.
3. 1. SOME sonnets are highly performable, not surprisingly, Shakespeare's. He gave us some of the most poetic drama and dramatic poetry. DUH! 2. Audition monologues should be kept short. Sonnets satisfy this. Many directors say they can tell all they need to know from an audition monologue in the first 30 seconds; why go on for 2 minutes more? 3. If done correctly, sonnets can show at least two sometimes three emotions. Most ask a question or pose a problem in the first eight lines or octet and then go on to answer the question or solve the problem in the final six lines or sestet, with a summarizing "moral of the story is ..." in the closing couplet. So if you only do one emotion throughout, yo're doing it wrong. 4. That said, if the audition requires a monologue from a character in a play, do it. But some avant garde companies may enjoy a change of pace.
4. no no no, drama schools want character driven monologues, they want to meet you and then see you work/ create a role, there are plenty of classical monologues and contemp ones, one of each, some even send a list, i have a list from lipa from some years back, plenty of choice
5. i woundlt. you need to demonstrate your acting ability by taking on a character, not just that you are good at reciting.