What Should (and Shouldn’t) Be in Your College Audition Monologue

A lot of students ask me: "Should I avoid profanity or intense themes in my college monologue?" Some online forums will tell you to steer clear of anything potentially "offensive" in case you make the audition panel uncomfortable.

I’m here to tell you: that’s the wrong approach.

You are auditioning for theater. And theater, at its core, is built on conflict, tension, and truth. Your job in that audition is to move the people watching you. Not to make them feel safe.

Don’t sanitize your work.

Don’t pick something edgy just for shock value, but also don’t shy away from a powerful, well-written piece just because it includes a swear word or difficult theme. Your delivery and emotional truth matter far more than a line of dialogue.

Also, let’s be real: you can’t predict what’s going to make someone uncomfortable. There is no magic list of "safe" topics. You could pick something you think is harmless and still rub someone the wrong way. So don’t worry about it because it’s really out of your control anyhow.

Focus on the story and the stakes.

Instead of worrying about content, ask yourself:

• Does this monologue have dramatic tension?

• Do I connect to the character’s journey?

• Can I perform it truthfully?

If the answer is yes, go for it.

Honestly, if a school rejects you over a well-delivered, emotionally connected monologue because of one word or a tough topic, it wasn’t the right school for you anyway.

So be brave. Be bold. Be truthful. That’s what acting is about.