Help me understand this scene by tomorrow

[james wolf]

I'm auditioning for guys and dolls, which is the schools main production this year but the I don't understand what emotions I should show from this scene (this is the one we must audition from)

Nathan runs an illegal dice game but is broke! He is talking to his friends Benny and Nicely.



NATHAN

(talking to BENNY and NICELY)

A marker ain’t just a piece of paper that says I.O.U. One thousand dollars signed NATHAN DETROIT. A marker is like a pledge which a guy can’t welch on it. It’s like not saluting the flag.

(BENNY and NICELY remove hats – NATHAN crosses to stage L)

My marker is as good as gold, only Joey Biltmore don’t think so – It don’t seem possible. Me without a livelihood. Why, I have been running the crap game ever since I was a juvenile delinquent.

(Crosses to Nathan)

I’m broke. I couldn’t even buy Adelaide a present today, and you know what day today is? It is mine and Adelaide’s fourteenth anniversary.

Thanks.

[wild1]

Ok, Nathan is a gambler type dude but he cant run his crap game without that $1000 he needs to borrow but can't get. He's really pissed and insulted. So act the role like youre upset and you want sympathy from your friends and want them to cheer you up. Woe is me kinda.

[Syvelocin]

Always research the production. You want to know your character inside and out, know what materials are appropriate to audition with, look up Youtube videos of professional dialogue and songs being performed, etc. The more research you do, the better off you are, and it shows you are dedicated to your performance as well. Now, you never want to replicate anything, but it's good to have inspiration and a little of what they're going to be looking for. I used to have this amazing website but I don't remember the url. It was a database of all musicals with information for people auditioning for them. Oh well. But that was pretty much my bible in theatre.

Not to be critical, but did you just get the piece today or did you put it off until today?

I'm not familiar with Guys and Dolls but I'll try to actually help you, lol.

Kevin gave a bit of good background information. The complete scene in the script, basically he's talking about that. A marker(IOU) is pretty much just saying "Yeah, I owe you this money" a recognition that you're in debt to someone. Nathan obviously feels like this person should be perfectly fine to accept this until he is paid back but it doesn't seem like he's buying it. Nathan must believe highly in it to not understand, or at least is frustrated his manipulation isn't working. Then he's talking about his entire hobby going down the drain basically, because he doesn't have the money. He's probably going to be slightly more worked up and frustrated at this point. "My whole livelihood down the drain!" I'd probably end the monologue with a softer, sadder, more sentimental tone. "I can't even buy Adelaide a gift."

Oh I hope that was useful lol.