60 Seconds to Shine, Volume 3: 101 Original One-Minute Monologues

by Glenn Alterman (Editor)

Overview

Glenn Alterman, the author of Two Minutes and Under, Volumes I, II, and III, has written this, his seventh book of original monologues. These one-minute gems are specifically written for those one-minute auditions that pop up more and more often. There are exciting and engaging monologues here for all types, ages, genders, and personalities.

The Library Journal’s review of Alterman’s Two Minutes and Under series states, "Actors looking for challenging, contemporary audition material should find a gold mine here."

Anna Marie Kostura, NBC Director of Daytime Programming, calls Alterman’s monologues "Topnotch, offering the serious actor an emotional field day."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781575254319
Publisher:	Smith & Kraus, Inc.
Publication date:	04/28/2006
Series:	Monologue Audition Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

GLENN ALTERMAN is an award-winning playwright, actor, and author. He is one of the country’s foremost monologue and audition coaches. He has lectured and taught at The Edward Albee Theater Conference (Valdez, Alaska), Governors School For the Arts (Old Dominion University), the School for Film and Television, Western Connecticut State College, the Dramatists Guild, the Screen Actors Guild, and at many acting schools throughout the country.

Editorial Reviews

If brevity is the soul of a good audition, then these titles will prove a great resource. Nothing kills an otherwise successful audition like running over the allotted time. In the first two volumes, Capecci and Aston assemble bite-sized audition pieces drawn from myriad sources: plays, novels, film scripts, even comic books. In both volumes, the monologues are grouped into two categories--classics (anything before the 1920s), which take up about a third of the selections, and contemporary. Selections are indexed by age, tone, and voice: the age category ranges from teens to senior citizens; tone refers to the quality of the monologue, usually comedic, dramatic, or seriocomic; voice refers to any specific class, ethnicity, or sexual identity that defines the character. This index is particularly useful, because the actor is probably searching for a monologue geared toward a specific time period, age range, or type. To the editors' credit, the selection of authors is diverse--Shakespeare, Moliere, Suzan-Lori Parks, Athol Fugard, Don Nigro, Philip Roth, and Jane Martin, among many others.
The third book in the set collects works by Glenn Alterman, who has made a name for himself writing monologues strictly for auditions. This volume offers 101 pithy, gritty, and often humorous pieces for a wide range of character types. The great strength of the 60 Seconds to Shine titles is their focus on newer contemporary works and original material. Monologues that work well often become overused, by the world at large as well as by individual actors, so including fresh selections from a wide range of sources is a plus. One word of caution: the first two volumes provide little context, so theactor should refer to the original source whenever possible. These volumes join Smith & Kraus's "Ultimate Audition Book" titles, which are also valuable. A 60 Seconds to Shine title on nondramatic sources from literature is in the works. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Student and professional actors.
—E. D. Bochinski, Fairfield University

Choice Magazine

Award-winning playwright Glenn Alterman presents his seventh book of original monologues in 101 Original One-Minute Monologues (Volume 3 of the 60 Seconds to Shine series), created especially for actors who are more and more often given one-minute auditions in which to showcase their talents. There are monologues here for men and women, ranging in tone from dramatic to comedic to seriocomedic. Many of the monologues cover topical subjects, and an introduction offers suggestions for choosing and presenting the right one at an audition. Enthusiastically recommended for practicing and aspiring actors everywhere. A sample dramatic monologue of an adult son lambasting his father for being rude to an attendant: "Does that make you feel strong, Dad, huh? Important? How could you? That poor guy takes so much pride in what he does. It may not be much, but to him, to him it's everything! So maybe he didn't go to college, or even high school, but what he does here... He's got his dignity, Dad, and you just tried to take it away from him. The way you talked to him just now, like he was nothing. Maybe handing out towels in a men's room isn't as prestigious as being a big CEO, but... You know, y'know, let's forget dinner, Dad. Suddenly, suddenly I lost my appetite."

Wisconsin Bookwatch