I would like to start this blog by saying Happy Audition Season! But you’re probably clicking this blog because you’re a performer of some kind, and then you and I both know that audition season isn’t happy so much as nail-biting, panicky, and any other adjective for stressful. Still, it is nonetheless exhilarating, even if the anxiety causes a momentary blackout.
You know what makes it even easier, though? The library! We have resources to help you with all the various things you may need for audition season.
Monologues
The, perhaps, most obvious thing we give you access to is books. We have printed copies of plays to read before you audition for a production, we have books analyzing texts for your dramaturgy desires, but we also have books of monologues. Those pesky open call-style auditions that require a two or three-minute monologue from a published play are sometimes the hardest and most time-consuming to source. Fret not, our 808.824s are filled with anthologies of monologues! You, of course, have the option to peruse “monologues, opens a new window” in our online catalog and place some holds to have them shipped to your preferred branch (I have a few selections below, too).
Printing
This may or may not seem obvious, but we also have printing, and even with the rise of more and more things becoming digital, there are still occasional moments when physical copies of your resume are needed, or maybe you have sides to a show you need to print and memorize. And hey, it’s only ten cents a page for black and white copies, that's a deal that can’t be beat!
Self-Tapes
Digitization affects a lot of things, including but not limited to, auditions. This is helpful for all the auditions that run on the same days, or if they’re only accepting video auditions. This is a barrier of sorts because having access to a camera, microphone, or even a ring light can be a problem. The library can help you with that, too!
Our Innovation Labs have all sorts of equipment accessible to you for your video editing needs. Some require an orientation to learn to use the equipment specific to the branch, and some need you to call ahead to book. All are in-house use only, so unfortunately, you can’t scream your heart out for the heavy dramas (and with a lapel mic, it would probably hurt the viewers' ears, anyway).
Resumes
We have resume help with our Future U staff! They don’t specialize in acting, but they’re a great resource for beginning a resume and have lots of knowledge about resources and information for your job search in general--you gotta work until the acting career takes off, after all. Maybe you need help building a resume to work in the performing arts, like perhaps in the office of a major theatre, or you need to polish your techie resume?
Want more catharsis and/or tips on auditioning? Our podcast, Using Our Library Voices, spoke to some board members, directors, and stage managers of local theaters about audition experiences, with tips and advice for prospective auditioners.
Monologue Collections
The Best Men's Monologues From New Plays, 2019
Add a comment to: Library Resources for Actors