LibGuides: Theatre: Career

Books in the Library (selections)

Acting and Auditioning for the 21st Century by Stephanie Barton-Farcas
Call Number: PN2071.A92 B37 2019 [Mortensen shelves]
Covers new media, green screen technology, motion capture, audiobooks, livestreamed web series, contracts, issues relating to underrepresented groups in acting, and more.
The Actor's Career Bible by Rob Ostlere
Call Number: PN2055 .O885 2019 [Mortensen shelves]
A practical guide to building an acting career. Based on interviews with actors at every level of the profession, industry experts, casting directors, agents, producers, and many others.
The Stage Actor's Handbook by Michael Kostroff, Julie Garnyé
Call Number: PN2061 .K645 2022 [Mortensen shelves]
Details best practices for everything from rehearsal demeanor to backstage etiquette. It also shares the theatre's unique vernacular, revered superstitions, and field-tested guidelines for touring, interactions with the public, and more.

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Actorama
List of current casting calls, plus a searchable database of over 500 monologues and scenes.
Backstage
News, reviews, and searchable casting opportunities (a fee is required to see complete details).
Stage Agent
National coverage for show synopses and castings, current production listings, audition and callback announcements, classified ads, a PartFinder, monologue suggestions, and more.

The Art of Auditioning: Techniques for Television by Rob Decina
Call Number: PN1992.8.A3 D43 2022 [Mortensen shelves]
Highlights the difference between acting and auditioning, and how they meet in television. Includes preparation techniques, information about the TV business, and more.
Audition Success by Don Greene
Call Number: BF575.A6 G664 2001 [Mortensen shelves]
Will help performers understand what prevents them from nailing an audition and give them the tools to reach their goals.
Breaking it Down by Nicole Hodges Persley, Monica White Ndounou
Publication Date: 2021
E-book. Strategic approaches to auditioning for women, men, and non-binary actors of the global majority (i.e., people of color).
The Complete Professional Audition by Daren Cohen and Michael Perilstein
Call Number: PN2071.A92 C65 2005 [Mortensen shelves]
Practical advice for choosing material, warming up, staying calm, standing out in a crowd, understanding casting, avoiding pitfalls, following up, getting the right headshot and resume, and accepting an offer.

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See our guide to Diversity in Theatre to find monologues for specific underrepresented groups.

Contemporary Monologues for Twentysomethings by Jessica Bashline
Call Number: PN2080 .C64815 2018 [Mortensen shelves]
One- to four-minute monologues for actors ages 15 to 30, incorporating characters from a variety of backgrounds with different stories to tell.
Monologues They'll Remember You By by Andrew Biss
Call Number: PR6102.I77 M666 2017 [Mortensen shelves]
80 monologues, divided into male and female comedic, dramatic, and seriocomic categories. Each monologue is preceded by a brief summary of the plot, setting, and character profile.
The Oberon Book of Modern Monologues for Men by Dee Cannon (Editor)
Call Number: PN2080 .O23 2022 [Mortensen shelves]
Selected monologues from some of today's leading playwrights, with a diverse range of memorable characters.

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...or search for a particular author, monologue, or play title, e.g.:

Know of a resource you think should be added to this guide? Let us know!

Want to suggest we purchase something new? Contact Tracey Rudnick (rudnick@hartford.edu).