Edinburgh Napier University

Shakespeare speeches don’t require any particular accent, and they are generally very open to your interpretation. Try to make some decisions about who you are speaking to and why this particular speech is going to help you achieve your aims – whatever you decide they are. Try to choose the speech that has the most meaning for you, personally.

2. Sing a song, a cappella: we recommend using a musical theatre song as this medium lends itself to making an actual journey through the text. You may choose other material, but remember it is about making good acting choice, not just the quality of your singing voice. A short section of 16 bars or so will suffice.

3. Perform an original monologue written/devised by you of no more than 2 minutes in length: the subject matter is your choice but you should create a character and the material should not be directly about you. Obviously it is best if you identify with the subject matter and have an opinion on it, but we are not looking for your life story. Think about creating a credible character that has a need to say something that is engaging and truthful.

Remember all these elements are acting exercises. Find material that will show you off at your best and most confident. Know your material inside out as nerves will affect you. Try to perform the material to someone before recording your audition. This will help in understanding the performance energy needed, and again help you with nerves.

Please avoid the temptation to heavily edit your audition video – you can always re-record if something isn’t quite right, but we would like to see a natural performance from you and sometimes recording too many takes can hinder your performance.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nikki Rainy-brown, Programme Administrator, N.Rainy-brown@napier.ac.uk

Uploading

Please edit the three pieces together, so it is one video. Upload to Youtube and send the link of your film/ self-tape. Please make your video Unlisted and not private. Once uploaded, copy the link to send via email. 

If you want some advice on how to upload a video to YouTube, you can watch this video. 

Shakespeare speeches list

Below are the Shakespeare speeches you can choose from and more advice on recording your audition.

Female

SILVIA, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA 4.3
“O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman…
Which heaven and fortune still rewards with plagues.”

JOAN LA PUCELLE, 1 HENRY VI 1.2
“Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's daughter…
If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.”

QUEEN MARGARET, 2 HENRY VI 1.3
“My Lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise…
That were a state fit for his holiness.”

PORTIA, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1.2
“If to do were as easy as to know what were good to…
Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none?”

QUEEN MARGARET, 2 HENRY VI 3.1
“Can you not see? or will ye not observe…
And should you fall, he as the next will mount.”

JULIET, ROMEO AND JULIET 4.3
“Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again...
And there die strangled ere my Romeo comes?”

QUEEN CATHARINE, HENRY VIII 2.4
“Sir, I desire you do me right and justice..
…in God's name, Turn me away.

Male

BUCKINGHAM, HENRY VIII 2.1
“All good people…
And lift my soul to heaven. Lead on, o' God's name.”

ANTIGONUS, THE WINTER’S TALE 3.3
“Come, poor babe:
I have heard, but not believed…
This was so and no slumber.”

ORLANDO, AS YOU LIKE IT 1.1
“As I remember, Adam, it was upon this fashion…
know no wise remedy how to avoid it.”

FLORIZEL, THE WINTER’S TALE 4.4
“So call it: but it does fulfil my vow….
Nor Concern me the reporting.”

WORCESTOR, 1 HENRY IV 5.2
“Then are we all undone…
In any case, the offer of the king.”

HENRY, HENRY V 1.2
“We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us…
Yea, strike the Dauphin blind to look on us.”

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, COMEDY OF ERRORS 5.1
“My liege, I am advised what I say…and a rabble more
Of vile confederates.”

If you can look at settings for file size the 720p/ 1080p 25frams or 24frames is good quality so don’t worry about 4k as it will be too bulky to use. You will be able to set this in a dslr under movie menu set up.

Shot size/ angle

This depends on what you are shooting but a medium shot that goes from your head to your waist is a good medium. If for something more expressive then maybe a wider shot size. Get the camera level with you/the performer, not above or below (a neutral shot).

Background

Have a neutral background grey or off white would do but any colour would be fine if not distracting. Avoid things in the background (Like pictures/ posters) as they can be distracting.

Tripods

If you have a tripod then use it as it will make the shot still. You can get little holders that will connect to a tripod and you can also get mini tripod that are very cheap and put them on a table to shoot with. You don’t have to do this if as you can use anything to rest your phone against or camera and keep it in the one place. I’ve used a book and a cup before.

Lighting

Natural light is good and generally soft and flattering but angle poise lamps or just what’s in the room can work. Don’t do it with the light source behind you as you’ll be in silhouette and we won’t see your performance. Also you can use a white surface to reflect some light back into the face if the lighting is very contrasting.

Further reading 

actinginlondon.co.uk/self-taped-auditions/

www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/tips-and-advice/everything-you-need-to-know-about-self-taping-updated/