Audition advice for "Measure for Measure"?

Question

Hi! I'm auditioning for Measure for Measure this year, and I'm having a hard time figuring out whether it would be best for me to do a serious or a comedic Shakespearean monologue for the audition. As far as I can determine, Measure for Measure is classified as a problem play or a dark comedy...so it's basically neither here nor there. Does anyone have any advice on whether a comedic or a serious monologue would be best to use for this particular play, and if so, any ideas about some not overdone ones that might work? When I was thinking I was going for a more serious slant, I was going to do a monologue from King John, but now I'm not so sure...

Answer 1

Measure for Measure is clasified as one of Shakespeare's comedies. Below is the address for the spark notes summary.  

http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/me...

Below is a site devoted to suggested women's shakesperian monologues:

http://www.shakespeare-monologues.org/wo...

"Break a leg" And hope auditions go well

Answer 2

Measure for Measure has a special place in my heart.  I played Isabella last year and I would do it again in a heartbeat.  When I auditioned I used one of Joan's monologues from Henry VI, Part I.  As always you should read the play before auditioning for it.  I used the Joan (Joan of Arc) monologue from Act I, scene ii, it starts "Dauphin, I am by birth..."  I used that piece  1) because it was a piece already in my repetoire of monologues and 2) Joan is similar to Isabella in her love of God, feeling filled with God's grace, and feeling compelled to do God's work.  Sure, technically, most texts will place Measure in the comedy category but it truly has dark aspects to it.  There are four main women in the play and a couple nuns that have a couple lines (I don't know if your director will consider non-traditional casting and use women in men's roles).  Three of the women have no comedic scenes...one does...she's Mistress Overdone, she is a pimp/prostitute and as her name suggests she is "overdone".  To be honest with you, I've never read King John, but I hear Constance (I'm guessing that's the piece you are using) is seen alot.  The thing about "overdone" Shakespeare monologues is that they are brilliant and beautiful and that is why they are done so often.  You should do a piece that you can knock out of the park.  Try going to http://www.monologueaudition.com/overdon... they have a list of overdone Shakespeare monologues.  They've polled instructors from Yale and NYU so I think it's an ok resource.  So, this is long, but I hope helpful for you.  But really...reading Measure for Measure and then finding a Shakespeare piece you connect with and that speaks to you are the most important factors.