<p>The D’s contemporary monologue is full of -ing words where the g is left off, in the text. She isn’t doing it with an “accent” that is, with a southwestern twang/drawl or what have you, but in her own voice; however there are certainly versions of words in the text that are cowgirl-like: “Tryin” “lemme” “wanna” “kin” “ain’t”.</p>
<p>Does that make it a bad selection as most of the schools say “no dialects”?</p>
<p>What if she puts the consonants back in? I don’t think I like that idea as the character is rather uneducated. </p>
<p>I strongly recommend that your D speaks the monologue without the accent or dialect, even if that’s the way it’s written. In fact, I would choose a different monologue, since it seems almost impossible to say the words normally without taking something away from who the character is. Judges are usually very strict about their rules and its best to follow them in every way.</p>
<p>It’s a big no-no at most colleges to do any sort of piece with a dialect or with an “aged” voice. If it’s not removable, most people recommend that you just find another piece.</p>
<p>D is Texas native, drawl and all. One of her audition pieces was a Southern character specifically to showcase her natural voice. She had other pieces (including classical selections) that she actually had to “do” a standard American accent. So, for some kids who have accents to begin with - the situation is reversed. And most of the people she auditioned for commented that they liked her Southern piece because it really showcased her personality.</p>
<p>Could it hurt anything to ask the actual schools where she will be auditioning where they stand on that? It is a bit of a grey area - one could play it safe and just nix it without question, but if it’s a really good monologue for her, it would be a shame to do that if it weren’t necessary. Especially if it should get down to the wire and finding a whole new one adds a lot more work and stress during this crazy time. If it’s necessary, then it is, but maybe it isn’t.</p>
<p>I realize that nobody can tell anyone else “what is a good monologue for my kid” (except their monologue coach if they are lucky enough to have one ) but I do think that the college could clarify what is an “accent” if the accent in the piece is the way the child naturally speaks.</p>
<p>Could be that not all the schools feel the same way (they do vary on details, as we have all noticed) and that would be very useful information to have.</p>
) but I do think that the college could clarify what is an “accent” if the accent in the piece is the way the child naturally speaks.</p>