An exciting and invaluable collection of audition speeches, all chosen from plays produced by the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, spanning more than sixty years as one of the world’s leading companies for young performers.
Featuring seventy-five monologues by acclaimed writers such as Zawe Ashton, Moira Buffini, Carol Ann Duffy, Brian Friel, James Fritz, James Graham, Dennis Kelly, Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Gbolahan Obisesan, Evan Placey, Sarah Solemani and Jack Thorne, the book offers rich and diverse roles ranging from teens to adults.
Each audition speech also comes with invaluable supporting material – compiled by NYT Associate Artist Michael Bryher – to help you perform the piece to its maximum effect, including:
- A detailed description of the play that the speech is originally from
- Contextual information such as what’s just happened in the play, where the monologue takes place, to whom the character is talking, and what their motivations are
- Things to think about when rehearsing and performing the speech
The book also provides extensive advice on choosing a speech, working on it and preparing for auditions, plus tips and first-hand insights into the monologues from current NYT members and alumni who’ve performed them.
An ideal resource for actors auditioning for drama school, the NYT or elsewhere, as well as those preparing for showcases or competitions, National Youth Theatre Monologues offers a wide and diverse range of roles, themes and styles – meaning you’ll be able to find the speech that’s just right for you.
‘Offers the broadest range of monologues in one place that I have ever seen… the advice on choosing suitable monologues, preparing them and how to approach the audition day itself is invaluable and presented in a positive and clearly supporting manner… I am not letting this collection out of my sight’
— Drama Magazine
‘Packed with a plethora of useful information, insightful snippets from interviews with NYT alumnni and endlessly detailed guidance on bringing each text to life… A must-have for any department and an essential purchase for students undertaking any audition’
— Teaching Drama
‘Accessible, inspiring and entertaining… I would defy any actor to not come away with a strong handful of speeches to investigate and learn’
— BritishTheatre.com
‘This must-have guide is sure to bolster the confidence of those lining up to take part in auditions… stand outs as a carefully compiled, insightful and considered selection that offers a unique and often refreshing perspective on the broad selection of texts’
— Broadway World
‘A useful book for anyone at the start of his or her journey towards an acting career’
— Ink Pellet
