8 monologues is probably overkill for MT applicants and trying to research, select, and keep 8 in memory may put some unnecessary and needless pressure on an MT auditioner. My d sailed through with just 3 monologues ready to go: one dramatic, one comedic, and one classical (in verse, Shakespeare). She was never asked to do more than two of the three, although I am sure some auditioners have been asked to do more than three in rare cases. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have more than 3 ready, but I wouldn’t recommend doing all the effort to select and rehearse as many as 8 for MT applicants. Its probably a great idea to have at least a couple of monologues from roles that you have appeared in ready to go, sometimes you will be asked about roles on your resume.
Matt Edwards, MT head from Shenandoah, recommended the following seven types of songs in your rep book:
If you are going to audition for some BM MT programs (Belmont, for instance) you will also need an “Art Song” from the classical repertoire.