This article contains a collection of royalty-free, original scenes for four actors. There is a range of genres and styles, and some performance notes to aid in quick script analysis. These scenes would be perfect for scene study, acting classes or a student showcase.

Just like our other originals pages (monologues, scenes and three-handers), we will update this article regularly with new content. So feel free to give it a ‘bookmark’ and check in for fresh material each month!

Copyright-Free Scripts

Before we dive in, let’s talk copyright. These scripts are given without strings as resources for actors around the world: we want you to use them and enjoy them and have fun bringing them to life.

But we still encourage you to think about where your scenes and monologues come from: who writes them and how they pay their bills, especially when their work shows up online for free.

If you can, find ways to pay it forward to the artists who write your stuff. Did you use a great scene by a playwright for that audition you nailed? Consider buying the play online! Have a favourite book of monologues you swear by? Get it as a gift for an actor friend!

From The Writer:

Hello! My name is Alexander Lee-Rekers; I’m a professional playwright and screenwriter. I hereby give my permission for you to use the scenes on this page for personal practice. All I ask is that you credit my work and cite StageMilk as its source—especially if you’re teaching a class, or post it on social media. (If you’re feeling brave, you can tag me on Insta via @alexnobodyfamous so I can see what you do with it.)  Other than that: have fun, make bold choices and give ’em a go!

Scenes for Four Actors

These scripts utilise the in-house formatting of our StageMilk Scene Club scenes, and may be filmed or staged as required. Get experimental with this: take the relative lack of stage directions as a chance to take the unexpected route.

As always, engage with script analysis and some character creation work: just because the words on the page are relatively few, doesn’t mean the writer hasn’t given you clues for interpretation and subtext.

Finally, in the context of an acting class, a scene study or a showcase, don’t feel bound to the names/genders/pronouns as prescribed by the text. Modify these to reflect the best possible casting, not the other way around.

An Unfortunate Thing

Genre: Drama
Length: 3 – 4 mins
Synopsis: A married couple confront their overbearing neighbours with a piece of damning evidence.

Performance Notes: This is a deceptively difficult scene to bring together; the motives of Greg and Kathy need to feel entirely justified, even though they do shatter the privacy of their (admittedly awful) neighbours. What the hell is on the video that they show them? That’s for you to decide. A small piece of advice: try to avoid playing this piece as straight comedy. There are laughs to be had, but it’s far more effective as an exercise in claustrophobic suburban drama…

Bronze Monkey Statue

Genre: Comedy
Length: 3 – 4 mins
Synopsis: Two spoilt siblings argue with their aunt and the family lawyer over the inheritance of a bronze monkey statue.

Performance Notes: This is a fairly ridiculous situation, with some over-the-top characters and dialogue the match. The secret to performing it effectively, as with all comedy, is to play it completely straight. How can you make these situations and interactions feel totally normal and real to the characters involved? Set the stakes of the scene: what do they stand to win or lose?

Going Negative

Genre: 3 – 4 mins
Length: Drama/Political
Synopsis: A mayoral candidate debates with her staff on whether or not to use a damning story about her opponent.

Performance Notes: Going Negative is a great opportunity to explore rhythm and pace in acting: get that dialogue crackling! It’s also worth spending some time on the backstory and distinction between each of these characters. Also status: who has the most standing in the room? And why might it be Tim?

Red Dot

Genre: Comedy
Length: 3 mins
Synopsis: Three art students commiserate over the sale of a peer’s grad show painting.

Performance Notes: Gosh, they’re awful people aren’t they… Sometimes, you have to play a character that is entirely unsympathetic (usually in comedy, where the audience can have a guilt-free laugh at their expense.) The trick is to build a defence case for them: as the actor playing said garbage human, you have to be their lawyer and argue their actions are good and correct.

Switch

Genre: Drama
Length: 3 – 4 mins
Synopsis: Two couples are interviewed about their experiences

Performance Notes: Owing a lot to the influence of Samuel Beckett, Switch contains minimal information about characters and setting. That’s not to say that there aren’t characters and a story world to be built—as an actor in this piece, you have important decisions to make. Note that punctuation is practically non-existent in this piece. When does it occur? And why?

Additional Resources

There you have it: custom-written, free, original scenes for four actors! Remember to check back with us regularly for new uploads across this page and our other originals pages.

Finally, be sure to look at our other pages for free material and acting resources.

Original content:

• Practice Scripts for Actors
• Practice Monologues for Actors
• Short Monologues for Actors
• Scenes for Three Actors
• Scenes for Young Actors

Resources for acting and script work:

• Script Analysis: How to get the Most out of a Scene
• How to Discover Character Relationships
• What is Subtext in Acting?
• Rhythm and Pace in Acting
• Given Circumstances

All things showcase and presentation:

• How to Nail your Drama School Showcase
• Should I Take an Acting Class?
• How to Survive your Drama School Showcase
• Benefits of Scene Study for Actors
• How to Cut Down a Monologue or Scene (we promise we won’t be offended)

One Final Note…

If you couldn’t find a scene on this page that really resonated with you, and you’re struggling to find material elsewhere … why not try writing one yourself? Here at StageMilk, we encourage all actors to experience writing and directing to get a more rounded understanding of how they fit into the on-set/stage dynamic. Consider coming up with a scene for your showreel, or even writing a monologue to get the ball rolling. You might discover an entirely new artistic passion!

The post Scenes for Four Actors appeared first on StageMilk.

Develop your voice over skills and learn more about this industry

We have run over 20 sold-out courses all over the country, and are Australia’s leading voice over training. Once a year we bring our incredible course to Perth for a two day course. This is a very special program and we are super excited to work with you!

The course will cover everything from Radio Commercials to Audiobooks to Character/Animation, and give you all the techniques and skills required to have a sustainable career in the voice over industry. The course will take place on the weekend and run for two days at one of the top voice over studio in Perth.

We keep our class sizes incredibly small so that we can give every student plenty of one-on-one time. This is the most practical voice over course in Perth and the full course will take place in a studio setting, maximising your time working in a professional studio! You will also walk away with industry standard, professional VO recordings to kick start your career! 

Class Details:

Dates: April/May 2024
Class times: Weekend Course (Saturday/Sunday)
Cost: $880 (Early Bird Special $695)

Testimonials

First of all, I want to say a sincere thank you. This course has provided an incredible introduction to the voiceover industry and I have greatly appreciated the training you have provided across this time. It has been hugely valuable to learn about the industry and take instruction from two people who are so active and successful in the space.

After a busy day in the office, fronting up to most kinds of classes can be an arduous task, but it was always a pleasure to attend this course. I especially appreciate having spent so much of the class time undertaking practical exercises and receiving excellent constructive feedback. I will certainly be recommending this course to anyone I know with an interest in learning more about the voiceover space.

(Tim Garrant, Voice Over Course Graduate)

This course far exceeded my expectations! The commitment, and attention the teachers show to each class member is what sets this course apart from others. You get tailored scripts, individualised feedback and endless support to help you grow every class  They push you to do more than you think you’re capable of. This course is particularly useful for beginners who need guidance in the world of V-O!

(Phoebe Deas, Voice Over Course Graduate)

Just wanted to say thank you and let you know how much I enjoyed the course. You were fantastic and I really learnt a lot. The whole class were really nice. A great bunch of people. I particularly enjoyed the Audiobook recording

(Ben Williamson, Voice Over Course Graduate)

These guys are the real deal and masters of their craft – in each class they really put their hearts into teaching us the effective vocal techniques, VO styles for different media, and the inner workings of the industry. Best of all, they gave each student ample time to work in front of the mic with personalised feedback to improve our reads. Thank you guys – no wonder there’s such a waiting list for the course!

(Ronald Chan, Voice Over Course Graduate)

+ over 100 graduates from around Australia with 5 star reviews! 

The post Perth Voice Over Course appeared first on StageMilk.

Melbourne is one of Australia’s main hubs for Voice Over. This vibrant, and well-loved city is a fantastic place to pursue a VO career. With a myriad of studios, production companies, and some of the leading voice over talent in the country, it’s an exciting place to find work and collaborate. As Melbourne is a key player in the Australian industry it is certainly a competitive place, but it also means that opportunities abound. The exciting thing in the modern VO industry is that there are opportunities at all levels. It will not be easy to instantly sign with a top voice over agent and start working professionally, but with persistence, and some great training behind you, anything is possible.

Melbourne offers voice over work in all areas of the industry including audiobooks, commercial work, TV/Film/Radio promo, ADR, corporate and e-learning and all other major areas of the industry. As Melbourne is also such a creative centre, they also produce some of the most exciting and innovative voice over in the country. This is definitely a great place to be, if you are looking to make this a career or side-hustle.

StageMilk Weekend Voice Over Course

Details:

Teachers: Andrew Hearle (StageMilk Founder and Voice Over Teacher) + Jessica Clarke (EM Voices)
Dates: July 20 + 21 2024 10am – 3.30pm
Format: Weekend Course (Saturday/Sunday)
Location: in-person, held at one of Melbourne’s top VO studios
Price: Normally $880 (Early bird price $695)

Recent Testimonials

This course far exceeded my expectations! The commitment, and attention the teachers show to each class member is what sets this course apart from others. You get tailored scripts, individualised feedback and endless support to help you grow every class  They push you to do more than you think you’re capable of. This course is particularly useful for beginners who need guidance in the world of V-O!

(Phoebe Deas, Voice Over Course Graduate)

An amazing and priceless look into an industry with so much potential! This VO masterclass has been one of the most incredible experiences I have had in my lifetime. The teachers are so kind with their time and feedback. Getting to work alongside an artist who has remained in the industry was unparalleled as he was able to share insights and trends that he has experienced throughout his amazing career. If you have been thinking about doing something like this I challenge you to bite the bullet and do it! Everyone is so supportive and you come out the otherside with a real grasp on what it takes to be successful in this industry. Fingers crossed they make a 2.0 version!

(Damon Schmidt , Voice Over Course Graduate)

Professionalism and enthusiasm, were absolutely personified, throughout our course. Cannot speak more highly of the course. What a team. Worth every penny, and sorry the course had to end. A BIG Thank you too you all

(Wayne London, Voice Over Course Graduate)

This course has been a real joy! The small group allows maximum time in the booth, and the teachers are all so considerate, to the point, and engaging. Each week, they take you through a different genre of voice-over. You get a huge stack of scripts to choose from and record, just like you would if you were on the job. The course then wraps up with an in-depth home studio lesson, so you can keep practising and begin booking work. You also receive a report card with individual feedback catered to your voice-type and strengths. Takes the guesswork out of voice-over, stops the panic sweats, and makes it accessible and fun. I will definitely be back!

(Monica Kumar, Voice Over Course Graduate)

The course packed in so much practical learning in the most supportive environment. My confidence grew significantly across the course and I walked away with so many tools to get started in the industry. The team were so generous with their expertise and guidance. It was so worth the investment and I wish I could do it all over again!

(Anna McCrea Voice Over Course Graduate)

What a fantastic course! The team bring their immense voice-over and production experience to the studio to get the best out of each person. The small class size and intimate setting means everybody gets a lot of time behind the mic practising on real scripts in a real production scenario. Expert direction and feedback is tailored to each person no matter their level of experience. A must-do for anyone looking to start making some moves in the VO game.

(Lincoln Elliott, Voice Over Course Graduate)

What do you Cover in the Course?

Our course will give you a chance to explore all the major areas of VO. This includes everything from Commercials to Character/Animation to Audiobook/Narration. We only accept a small group so that we can really push you over the weekend to make sure we give you plenty of one-on-one time. As you can see from the testimonials above, this personal element (and limited class size) is really what separates us from other VO courses. We believe you can only make big improvements, by working on the mic, and getting personalised help and support!

The entire course takes place in a professional VO studio, meaning that you are practicing in the actual environment you will one day work in. It also means we are able to record some incredible, industry-standard recordings that you will walk away with! This will serve as a great starting point for you in the VO industry (or a great top up for those who already have a reel and are looking for some fresh content!)

Benefits of the course: 

1. Gain experience working in a professional setting
2. Walk away with all the techniques need to bring any VO script to life
3. Build confidence working in all major genres of VO (and find your strengths and weaknesses)
4. Learn more about the VO industry and how to effectively move forward.
5. Get high-quality recordings to kick start your VO career.

Why Do Voice Over Training with Us?

Many people falsely believe that being a voice over artist is just about having a good voice. They think if you’re voice sounds good, all you have to do is get in front of the microphone and voila! This couldn’t be further from the truth. Of course your voice is a factor, but the main skill is how you use your voice. Can you play with pitch, pace, and volume? Can you connect with the emotion of the script? Can you make our mouths water with the way you describe a new pizza topping, or new coffee brand? Can you read for many hours making limited mistakes? Can you find vocal clarity, confidence and subtly… all in one read?

The skill of VO is all about interpreting and bringing to life scripts, and this work can takes a lot of training. There is a reason some top voice over actors are being paid over $500,000 – what they do is nothing short of extraordinary. There is no other career at this elite level, where you would expect to just walk into an agency or studio have begin earning top dollar. So yes, voice over is a serious skill set and definitely requires training. This will be different for every individual. For instance, if you are an experienced actor, you may find the process of moving into voice over easier as you already have many of the cross over skills. If you are not a performer, you may require more in-depth training, and even specialised voice coaching.

We have now run over 20 sold out courses around Australia and helped 100s of actors get established in the VO industry! 

What to Look for in a Voice Over Course?

These days there are quite a few voice over courses in all major Australian cities. However, there are a few key things to look out for:

1. Practical course. You become a better VO by working on the microphone. Make sure any training you are considering is taking place in a professional studio and is actually about voice over. Yes it can be helpful to learn voice exercises and do some work in a class room, but at the end of the day a voice artist is made in the booth!
2. Small class size. Most major VO courses in Australia take way too many students. Some take up to 16 in a single weekend workshop. There is simply no way that you can get an in-depth experience with this amount of students. So be on the hunt for small classes that limit student intake.
3. Great teachers. Look out for amazing teachers and ideally teachers with plenty of VO experience. Many VO teachers are voice teachers. This is fine, but ideally see if you can work with professional voice over artists that have practical experience in the studio.
4. Watch out for promises. Any course offering instant success, or an amazing voice reel is usually one to be avoided. You want a course that focuses on the teaching, not on the outcome. How can any course make a promise without knowing you? For most aspiring students a single weekend course is just the start, not a golden ticket to an instant career.

All of these

Voice Over Training in Melbourne

Our course is definitely one of the best voice over courses in Melbourne and is hosted by our founder Andrew Hearle. Since 2015 Andrew has taught voice over all over Australia with his company Collective Sound. Though Collective Sound mainly operates out of Sydney, they host a very special 2 day workshop a few times a year in Melbourne. This course only takes a small number of students and is one of the most respected voice over courses in the country. You can either sign up via the Collective Sound page, or using the sign up form above!

The course limits students, so you get a huge amount of practical experience in the studio (on the mic). The entire course takes place in a professional studio and Andrew teaches alongside some of the top voice over artists and producers in the country.

What to do After Finishing a Voice Over Course?

Some voice over courses will leave you with a few recordings, maybe even a basic reel. Unfortunately, voice reels that are created in a class room are seldom good enough to be used professionally.

I know it is a little frustrating after spending a lot of money already on training, but once you do feel like your skills are there, the main priority is producing a great voice reel. A reel is basically your business card in the industry.

Ready to get a demo made? Collective Sound is our recommendation for the Best Melbourne Voice Demos.

This reel will help you move forward in the industry and hopefully open doors. That said, don’t expect that you can produce a reel and instantly have a career. Like any creative pursuit it will take time to develop relationships and establish clients. You may have to look at online platforms, and other more approachable opportunities to begin, but over time, you will begin to make inroads.

As I mentioned at the start, opportunities abound in the voice over industry. It will take time to refine your skills and then find your niche and get established in the industry, but it’s a worthwhile pursuit. VO is incredibly fun, challenging, and can be extremely lucrative. If you love using your voice, telling stories, and being creative, this can make an incredible career, or side-hustle. I highly recommend exploring the incredible word of voice over further.

If you are based locally, we highly recommend you check out: Melbourne Voice Over Course.

The post Melbourne Voice Over Course appeared first on StageMilk.

We have listed some of the best plays by each author below their names, so make sure you have read of some of these or go along to see Australian plays when they are on!

Our Top Picks

• Andrew Bovell
  1

  Speaking in Tongues, When the Rain Stops Falling

• Joanna Murray-Smith
  2

  Bombshells, Rockabye, Honour

• Nick Enright
  3

  Blackrock, Daylight Saving

• Dorothy Hewett
  4

  The Chapel Perilous, This Old Man Comes Rolling Home

• Louis Nowra
  5

  Cosi, Radiance, The Golden Age

• Patricia Cornelius
  6

  The Call, Love, Do Not Go Gentle 

• Patrick White
  7

  Ham Funeral, The Season at Sarsaparilla 

• Michael Gow
  8

  Away, Europe, The Kid

• David Williamson
  9

  The Club, Don’s Party, The Removalists

• Peter Kenna
  10

  A Hard God, The Slaughter Of St. Teresa’s Day

• Leah Purcell
  11

  The Drover’s Wife, Box the Pony

• Nakkiah Lui
  12

  Kill the Messenger, Blackie Blackie Brown

• Jack Davis
  13

  No Sugar, The Dreamers

• Kate Mulvany
  14

  The Seed, The Harp in the South

• Declan Greene
  15

  Moth, Pompeii, L.A. 

• Hilary Bell
  16

  Wolf Lullaby, Fortune

• Ray Lawler
  17

  Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

• Wesley Enoch
  18

  The 7 Stages of Grieving, Black Medea

• Glace Chase
  19

  Triple X

• Stephen Sewell
  20

  The Blind Giant is Dancing

• Tommy Murphy
  21

  Holding the Man, Strangers in Between, 

• Angela Betzein
  22

  The Hanging, Hoods 

• Susan Miller
  23

  Driving into Walls, Medea 

• Kendall Feaver
  24

  The Almighty Sometimes

• Angus Cerini
  25

  The Bleeding Tree, Wretch

Australian Plays Transform

If you’re interested to learn more about Australian playwrights, or if you’re looking for where you can find Australian plays to read, visit Australian Plays Transform. This is the new home of Australian Playwriting, and is the result of a consolidation of the two organisations Playwrighting Australia, and Australian Plays.

Australian Theatre for Young People

If you’re looking for fresh, emerging, and up and coming playwrights, Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) is where you want to go. Pound for pound, ATYP produces the most work of new Australian playwrights of any company in the country! This is the place to go for work by Australian writers, for young Australian audiences.

Griffin Theatre Company

If Australian writing is something you want to see more when you go to the theatre, then Griffin Theatre Company should definitely be on your radar. Griffin is Australia’s leading new writing theatre, dedicated to bringing the best Australian stories to the stage.

Griffin Theatre Company hosted this forum in 2012 to discuss Australian Playwrighting:

The post Best Australian Playwrights appeared first on StageMilk.

16th Street Actor’s Studio

16th Street Actor’s Studio have developed a reputation as the masterclass masters. They have managed to attract some of the best acting coaches from around the world to their facilities. They offer Masterclasses, Workshops and Technique Classes with the likes of Larry Moss, Elizabeth Kemp, Ian Rickson, Les Chantery and more. Classes run for 6 weeks, 1 class a week and cover a variety of techniques, like Uta Hagen, Chubbuck, as well as Improvisation and Director’s Scene Study. Masterclasses are typically between 3 – 5 days and are much more intensive. If you are looking to explore a specific area of your acting, a 16th St masterclass can be a great way to go, but it’s important to be working on a weekly basis as well. A break-through alone won’t make you a better actor.

Howard Fine Acting Studio

Howard Fine Acting Studio offers Intensive 4 day Masterclasses, Full-Time & Part-time training, as well as 1 year Youth Courses. Your other option is an Open Access Scene Study course – this course is designed for students who wish to jump straight into exploring the techniques championed by the studio.

Howard Fine is an incredible acting coach and if you’re in Melbourne, we would highly recommend checking out this studio.

Justin Lehmann Acting Studio

Justin Lehmann specialises in teaching Sanford Meisner’s Repetition exercise inspired by the teachings of master teacher William Esper, coupled with his trademark ‘instrument expansion’ work known as Actor’s Core. Classes run on a term by term basis, running for 8 weeks, with either a 1 or 2 classes-per-week options.

“If you’re seeking to experience the joy of being spontaneous, alive, connected to your partner and in turn yourself, then you will want to experience this technique.”

Brave Studios

Brave Studios are a well-established film and television school offering courses in acting for television and film, TV presenting, voice, Alexander technique and auditioning workshops.

Brave Studios has a range of acting workshops and courses available for aspiring actors or those who wish to develop their skills and they keep the size of classes small. The acting for film and television course is run over 3 levels – Beginner Actors Workshop and Advanced (they can advise you on which course would best suit your experience). If you’re an absolute beginner you can get a taste of what the courses involve by completing a 3 hour ‘Introduction to Acting’ Workshop.

For the more experienced/professional actor, they offer Professional Acting Workshops under the direction of some of Australia’s best directors. Brave Studios also offers Voice class and Alexander Technique classes with Australia’s best coaches. Coaches that come highly recommended include Rob Meldrum, Thea McLeod & Penny McDonald.

The National Theatre Drama School

The National Theatre Drama School is one of Australia’s original drama schools, boasting a list of well-known graduates like Kat Stewart, Esther Hannahford and Richard Cawthorne, it has earned it top praise in the industry. They offer 3 years Full-Time training, a Youth Acting course and a Foundation Acting course. The Foundation course is a great stepping stone for any student who wishes to get a taste of Full-Time training before committing to a 3 Year program. 

Film & Television Studio

The Film & Television Studio was started by Craig and Dominique McMahon in 1998 and has been responsible for training some of Australia’s most exciting talent. Focusing on OnScreen Acting, this studio offers a Full-Time, Part-Time, Foundation and Term Classes. At the end of each program, students are offered the opportunity to audition for Casting Directors, Directors and Producers. A great studio to attend if you are in Melbourne and are wanting to better your on-screen technique. 

The Lab

Championed by Peter Kalos, The Lab is Melbourne’s go-to ‘Method Acting’ school. Focusing on the original method developed by Lee Strasberg, The Labs focus is clear, to guild actors to take their work to a new level with one goal – to truthfully be that character in that circumstance. Having trained with teachers such as Stella Adler and Anna Strasberg, Peter is the perfect person to be teaching this technique to actors. The Lab offers on-going classes in 8-week blocks, which allows flexibility for actors. 

PEM Studios

PEM or The Perdekamp Emotional Method is a technique developed by German Director and Playwright Stephan Perdekamp. PEM is a method based on biology which gives actors repeatable and direct access to authentic emotion on a physical basis. A fairly new school, it’s an interesting method that hasn’t been seen much in Australia.

The post Acting Classes Melbourne appeared first on StageMilk.

Bovell grew up in Western Australia. He studied his undergraduate at the University of Western Australia, before moving to Melbourne to study at the prestigious Victorian College of Arts (Australian Drama Schools).

Over his career as a playwright he has won a series of awards including an AWGIE for Speaking in Tongues, and the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for When the Rain Stops Falling. Bovell has also written for film and some of his notable works include Lantana, and Blessed, two fantastic Australian Films. 

Best Andrew Bovell Plays

#1 When the Rain Stops Falling

#2 Speaking in Tongues

#3 The Secret River

#4 Who’s Afraid of the Working Class?

#5 After Dinner

The goal of these pages is to give you a starting point for a playwrights work. Please do yourself a favour and read one, or all, of these plays. Reading plays is vital for actors.

Andrew Bovell is featured on our list of best Australian playwrights. We also have lists of best playwrights throughout history.

The post Best Andrew Bovell Plays appeared first on StageMilk.

If you’re going to decide on a monologue that the board of studies has seen time and time again for years, you better make sure that you can do it justice, and do it differently. But why add that pressure? Instead of turning to Black Rock and Summer of the Seventeenth Doll because you’ve studied them, your decision should be based on what suits you as an individual performer, but also something that excites you, and potentially challenges you as a performer – that is what the markers love to see.

Know Your Plays

Read. It’s a stressful time, you’ve probably got that mammoth PDHPE textbook to rote learn. Or if you’re a drama student, you probably don’t. But reading (many) plays is the first step. And read the whole play. Many students make the mistake of flipping through until they see blocks of text indicating a good ol’ monologue they can take straight out of the book with no context. Bad decision. Not only will this work against you for character development, but you’ll find that once you’re up and prepared, it will come back to bite you when someone asks – “So tell us how this scene differs for your character compared to the rest of the story?”.

Reading plays will not only help you find a solid monologue that’s right for you, but it will help inform your way to approach it. Reading, comparing and analysing different scripts is the best way to get into the mindset for your performance (and will also help to fill out that logbook).

More on why reading plays is so important…

Know Yourself

Dramatic performance is an interpersonal feat. The best monologues are those that you may have some sort of connection to, or at least an ability to understand and empathise with the character’s desires. This is what will make your performance unique, and the first step is choosing a monologue that fits. Think about what you, not just as a performer, but as a young person, want to say. It’s better to have belief in a performance on a personal level than a desire to recreate a performance done before.

What facets of your own personality can you see in your character? Do they have the same sense of humour? Do they get annoyed by the same things? And if they don’t, work with that. Try and understand what situation you would have to be in to have the same reaction as that character. Working with your own emotions and personality is a great place to start in deciding on a piece, an understanding of your own experiences can lend to the character.

Know Your Limits

Knowing yourself also means knowing what you can and can’t do. Regardless of whether you’re a good or bad actor, don’t assume that your interpretation of Othello is going to bowl everyone over just because you can play anything. Know what sort of pieces are going to allow you to play, rather than limit you in their scope. Age, for example, is an important factor to look at. Finding good monologues within the age range of sixteen – twenty can be tough, but they are out there, and choosing an age-range closer to you is only a good thing. That shouldn’t be a rule, and if you are ready to fully inhabit a forty year-old mother, or a two-month old baby, go for it, but this is about what will make your performance easier on you, and allow you to explore without hinderance.

This may also go for accents, musical ability and physicality. Drama students often make bold moves in choosing monologues. Bold is good, but so is knowing that you can pull it off.

Don’t forget you’ll be doing your IP at around the same time that your head is exploding from other exams. This is not the time to learn a new skill. If you are confident and assured in an accent, go ahead – but if you’re going to have to spend half your time looking up YouTube accent tutorials, you don’t have that time to spare. Get familiar with your boundaries and work towards making what you do well, the best you’ve ever done it!

Know Your Audience

Remember, this is an examination, and not a public performance. Your peers are not the ones you’re trying to win over. There’s a difference between choosing a comedy piece because you know your friends will cack themselves watching you do it, and knowing that you can actually do a Neil Simon piece justice. Your markers will be looking for an understanding of the play as a whole, and your character as a whole. Let’s presume that your markers will have read the play that your monologue is from.

“Nah – mine’s some obscure off-off-off-off-off-Broadway show”.

Doesn’t matter. Make that assumption, and understand that they will be looking at your performance through a lens that has the context of the whole play.
Remember as well that your markers have probably seen the same pieces over and over again for years. Again, there is no shame in choosing a popular piece, but it may work against you in terms of standing out. The last thing you want is your performance to be informed by other students who are doing the same monologue as you. Your choices need to be unique, and based on your own study of dramatic material.

Know Your Script

Log books are pretty annoying. A lot of the work that you’re doing on your piece, takes place in the moment and in your head – having to write it down seems arbitrary. But trust me, writing down your process will save you the absolute freak-out you’re going to have when it’s a day before your book is due and you’ve done nothing.

Cutting, re-arranging and shaping your monologue is the perfect way to start filling up your log-book, and a really good process to go through. Scoring the script, including adding beats and intentions is the kind of work that the markers are looking for in your logbook, not to mention what you should be doing with your monologue anyway.

The HSC is a stressful time for all students. If you’re passionate about performance and drama, your individual performance should be a process of enjoyment and excitement. The key is to decide on your monologue early on, and then get to work. Choosing a monologue with only a week to go will leave you with a bad mark, a stressful experience and will end up with you hating your own performance. Do your research, know what’s right for you, and know your limits.

For examples of monologues, see:

Monologues for Men 

Monologues for Women

The post Choosing the Right Monologue for your HSC Individual Performance appeared first on StageMilk.

Our goal was to give actors honest recommendations to make sure they were getting along to see the productions that were dynamic, insightful and groundbreaking. Theatre is expensive and we wanted young actors to save their pennies for the must see shows.

Once I graduated drama school I realised that being an actor and reviewing my peers, and potentially critiquing theatre companies I wanted to work for, wasn’t the smartest career move.

So we are regrettably no longer doing theatre reviews on the site. However, we wanted to make sure that actors are still reading theatre reviews and engaging in the local industry. So if you are looking for theatre reviewers here are our favourite theatre reviewers in Australia.

All these reviewers are accomplished writers with years of experience.

Recommended Theatre Reviewers in Australia

Jason Blake

Jason Blake is a staple of the Sydney theatre scene. Jason writes for the Sydney Morning Herald and is one of the most influential reviewers in Sydney. Jason is a direct and honest reviewer and one of the leading reviewers in the nation. Jason also reviews independent shows and has his own website where he makes a great effort to watch and support many independent companies. The blog is called eight nights a week and the name reflects his commitment to watching and reviewing theatre.

John McCallum

John McCallum is one of the theatre critics for The Australian. He is one of the most respected theatre reviewers in Sydney and is one of the most insightful and detailed reviewers in the game. The Australian generally offers high quality theatre reviews, but keep an eye out for John.

Suzy Goes Sees

Suzy is a bastion of the local theatre industry and has worked tirelessly to help promote and cultivate the theatre scene in Sydney. Single handedly reviewing the majority of independent and main stage theatre in Sydney, she is incredible. Her reviews are succinct, well written and direct. Suzy also does interviews on her website called Suzy’s 5 questions which help to promote actors and theatre productions. Suzy’s reviews are always worth checking out. She avoids the all too common trap of delving into plot and simply retelling a play, and offers an actual critique of the play.

Kevin Jackson 

Kevin Jackson holds a unique position in the Australian theatre industry. Kevin was a long running acting teacher at NIDA, where he taught a generation of actors. He helped cultivate the careers of many of Australia’s most prominent performers. He still works as a teacher and director and is revered as one of Australia’s leading acting coaches. Wearing the hat of director and reviewer can often be fraught with issues, however Kevin, with a combination of zero f*cks, and industry respect, treads the line well. Having a strong background in teaching and directing, Kevin’s reviews offer insights commonly missed by traditional reviewers. Kevin most of all has a passion for the theatre, and you can see that is the motivation behind his work.

There are many more great reviewer both in Sydney and around the country, but I recommend starting with these great reviewers and going from there.

Should you read theatre reviews?

As an actor you should be watching as much theatre as you can. Watching great theatre, and even terrible theatre, is one of the best steps you can take to further your acting career.

The trouble is that theatre is expensive. And because it’s so expensive often actors are reluctant to pay $40-$100 for a ticket to a bad show. Reviews aren’t always the best way to gage whether you should see a show, but if one of the above reviewers is raving – get along to see it. Reviews can sometimes affect your theatre experience, but checking out the above reviewers can be a great way to gage a show’s merit. Some shows you simply have to see.

Reading reviews after watching theatre can also be a great way to solidify your own reflections on a show. Do you agree or disagree with the review? Understanding how to view theatre in a more precise and detailed way can really benefit your understanding of theatre and acting.

Remember: don’t take reviews as the only indicator for a great show. Sometimes you have to bit the bullet and get a ticket. You can often learn more from a bad show.

If you are looking for any old reviews please get in touch and we can try to arrange it.

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Prepare

Getting your face onto millions of television screens in Australia and the UK isn’t easy. You need to prepare. Take some acting classes, any acting classes. It’s important to have a solid understanding of the acting process before auditioning for a major show. If you’re still in school, ask your drama teacher for some private acting lessons.

Your preparation should also include a fitness routine. Home and Away is full of incredibly fit and attractive people. So if you want to complete with some of the most glamorous actors in Australia, get fit!

A professional headshot is also a major part of the preparation process. It might cost a little bit more than you expect, but it’s your calling card; it needs to be professional!

Get an agent

If you are planning on getting an audition for Home and Away, you’re going to need an agent. Being cast in a soap like Home and Away takes more than just good looks. It takes diplomacy. Have a look at the actors union website for a list of recommended agents. If you have friends who are actors, ask for a referral to their agency. Some agents are better than others, but most are better than freelancing.

Binge

If you’ve landed on this page you probably already watch Home and Away. If you don’t – you should! Binge watch all the latest episodes to get you up to speed with what’s going on in Summer Bay.

Understanding the context of your audition scenes will give your performance detail; detail that other people’s auditions won’t have.

Audition for Home and Away!

This is the big one. Mullinars Casting Consultants are the one and only portal to a Home & Away audition. We highly recommend contacting them through your agent. If you are freelancing don’t email and directly ask for an audition, ask for a meet and greet (AKA a “go-see”). Once you have made a connection at Mullinars, cross your fingers! That’s about all you can do Good luck!

For a more in-depth guide to getting on Home and Away, check this out:

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IMDb

IMDb is an online database of every film, tv show, web series and tele-movie that has ever been made. It includes profiles of all of the cast, crew, creatives, and behind the scenes staff that have worked on each production.

If you haven’t already had a profile created for you, sign up to IMDb Pro to create your own. For more on IMDb Pro click here.

Showcast

Showcast is an online directory of actors in Australia. It used to be printed in hard copy but in recent years they have completely upgraded their operation. It is the go-to online resource for casting directors in Australia. They offer a variety of profile options for actors depending on your budget; Including options for a showreel, headshot, CV, and contact details. If you want to be an actor in Australia, you have to be on Showcast.

Casting Networks

If you have ever signed in for a casting on an iPad – chances are, you already have a Casting Networks profile. It’s a talent database and booking service for casting agents, agents and actors. A typical interaction on Casting Networks goes like this: A casting agent will search for actors based on their general attributes, then they will select the actors they wish to audition. An email is sent to the agent which includes a breakdown of the role and a possible audition time, the actor then confirms the audition time and begins preparation for the audition.  

Casting Networks is going from strength to strength in Australia. It’s already an established casting website in the US and UK and has quickly become an essential online casting website for actors in Australia.

Backstage

Backstage is a well established magazine and online casting site that has recently started up in Australia. Backstage has a beautiful platform and is one of the most trusted names in entertainment. Backstage is a huge player in the US market and so we think it’s only a matter of time before they become one of the key players here in Australia. Backstage is a great website for finding opportunities, and a must have for actors.

StarNow

StarNow is a casting website on the brink of professionalism. Some jobs on the site are legitimate, some are not. There is a combination of paid and unpaid jobs. It’s worth having a look, but don’t put all your eggs in that basket. It’s great that there is a platform with a diverse range of work that offers a variety of opportunities, but you need to research any project before committing.

If it’s an unpaid job, make sure there is a good team involved and a great script. It will feel good because people will respond to you, but they may be trying to rip you off. If it’s a choice between StarNow and IMDb Pro, I would choose IMDb every time. That being said, I have trained at drama school and have an established acting agent. You need to make these decisions based on where you are at in your career. We’re big supporters of the site, but think you just need to be a little cautious as some bad eggs take advantage of their great platform .

Know of another great casting resource? Contact us here

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