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Does anyone have any recommendations for an NYT monologue? I am finding it really difficult to find a monologue for a female aged late teens/ early 20s. I have looked through two of my favorite plays with age appropriate characters but neither of them have long enough monologues. I also bought a book of suffrage plays which might work but most of the characters with monologues are middle-aged.

Is it completely ill-advised to play a male part? Because 'Posh' and 'The History Boys' both have some great material for people my age but all for men! If I could justify why I chose the piece could that work or would they hate that? The discrepancy of male to female roles in the industry is something I am genuinely really passionate about. Could I give that as a reason or would that be seen as over-politicizing my audition?

Any advise would be much appreciated

DD (who is 20) found some very good female monologues for her drama school showcase in Vera Vera Vera bu Hayley Squires ... might be worth a look? It's about a family struggling to come to terms with the death of a son/brother in Afghanistan so very contemporary: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vera-Modern-Plays/dp/1408172712.

Re. doing a male monologue ... what does it say on the NYT website ... if they advise you to stick to your age/casting type then I would do so. If they don't, then go for something you know well and are comfortable with. FWIW DD used a male Shakespeare monologue for her drama school auditions and it wasn't a problem for her ... if anything it probably made her a bit more memorable! My DD's experience with NYT auditions was to be prepared for really odd redirection ... e.g. performing the monologue like you were running for a bus, watching it happen out the window, etc.

Whatever you decide, best of luck with the audition, enjoy the day and do let us know how you get on

Thanks very much