About the Book:

The monologue audition is alive and well. Monologues are commonly used for conservatory-style training auditions (both undergraduate and graduate programs), theatre auditions, as well as both agents and casting directors. An intensely practical how-to book, The Monologue Audition by Karen Kohlhaas aims to help you meet the challenges of picking, preparing and performing audition monologues. She provides pointers on choosing audition monologues, and goes on to give you a step-by-step approach, illustrated by line drawings and photographs, that is applicable to any monologue you might choose.

A founder of the Atlantic Theater Company, one of Off-Broadway's most prestigious producing organizations, Karen Kohlhaas is an acclaimed theatre director. She also teaches at the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School, and this book derives from the classes she has conducted there. Focusing on how to rehearse monologues effectively using both acting and directing techniques, The Monologue Audition concentrates on developing the ability to see yourself as others see you – so that you can consistently produce the quality any auditioner is looking for. It includes pointers on choosing audition monologues, and uses illustrated, step-by-step guides on how to tackle any monologue an actor might choose. Karen Kohlhaas' technique also teaches non-acting audition tips: how to enter a room, how to introduce yourself, how to transition, and how to exit.

Exploring all elements of preparing a monologue audition – script analysis, staging, voice, timing, gesture, movement and self-presentation skills – The Monologue Audition not only helps you prepare for auditions, but teaches how to make working on monologues a regular and enjoyable part of your acting life. As you follow the author along the path she charts, you are not only learning to rehearse monologues effectively, you are learning to turn auditions into exciting ways to grow and challenge yourself as an actor.

What people say:

"We'll say it: Auditioning with monologues is hard. Legendary director and teacher Kohlhaas addresses this stick in the actor's craw from preparation to execution, demystifying one of the most difficult forms of theatrical audition. Headed to an open call? Give this guide a read first, and learn how to direct, stage, and even enjoy performing your monologue in the room." — Back Stage

"This book treats the monologue-soliloquy in its specialized appearance as The Audition.... In this incarnation the actor must not only choose an objective... but devise a bit of blocking (thus acting, also, as a self-director), and, as if that weren't enough, take an overview of the whole process as a piece of self-promotion.... The audition process is an abomination. It is, generally, a tool for unsure and unimaginative casting agents and directors. But, turn it on its head, and we have as Karen Kohlhaas suggests, an opportunity to investigate and improve one's understanding of script analysis, staging, and self-promotion. What a good idea." — David Mamet, from his Foreword

About the Author:

Karen Kohlhaas is a theater director, filmmaker, teacher and author. She is a founding member of the Atlantic Theater Company, and a senior teacher at the Atlantic Acting School.