1. Introduce yourself by name and introduce your audition piece by play and playwright. Then take a moment to be sure you are in the right mental space. Create and rehearse with a line or action by another character, or use the real one from the script, which gives you the reason to say what you do. Be sure you have "heard" this trigger before you start your monologue. Don't start until you are sure you are ready, or you'll find you're just going through the motions rather than really using what you have rehearsed.

2. Create a "4th Wall", or imaginary wall between you and the audience. Practice at home by imagining a specific room, and "hang" familiar objects from the imaginary room on real objects in the room you are in. When you get to the audition place, find new real objects (there's usually an exit sign somewhere you can use!) on which to hang those same imaginary familiar ones. This keeps your focus outward, so people can see you, without you having to look at them or even think about them being there. Don't look at your imaginary objects all the time, but glance around at them as you are thinking and talking.

3. In a monologue, look at your imaginary partner only 10% of the time; 90% of your time should be spent seeing images of what you're talking about. Check back only for responses. Need a specific reaction or series of reactions from your invisible partner. Imagine your first attempt doesn't work--what could you try next to get the desired reaction?

4. Pick material appropriate for your age and type--from a part you could actually be cast in. Also, don't be afraid of unusual material. Your monologue doesn't have to be from a play. It can be from a book, or it could be something you write yourself. Just be sure it's memorized and well-rehearsed.