KITTRIDGE: Good morning, Mr. Phelps. The man you're about to see is Aleksander Golitsyn, a former KGB Line X officer now working the international black market selling intelligence. This morning, we learned that Golitsyn has stolen one half of a CIA NOC list, the list of our non-official coverage agents working in Eastern Europe. For security reasons, the…
Ethan's Mission Briefing — Mission: Impossible
Kittridge delivers the iconic mission briefing via a self-destructing tape to Jim Phelps. He details the theft of the NOC list by a rogue agent and outlines the high-stakes operation in Prague to recover the data and apprehend the traitors.
Format: Monologue · Genre: Action, Thriller · Source: Mission: Impossible · Author: David Koepp · Characters: Kittridge, Jim Phelps
About This Scene
This scene features Kittridge delivering a high-stakes mission briefing in monologue form, initially via a self-destructing tape to Jim Phelps. It establishes an urgent and ominous tone, laying out the critical situation of a stolen NOC list and the imminent threat of more vital intelligence being compromised. The briefing details the operation to recover the data and apprehend the culprits, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow.
Character Analysis
Kittridge is presented as an authoritative and intense figure, a seasoned veteran in the world of espionage. His delivery is formal and precise, reflecting the gravity of the situation and his role as a high-ranking intelligence officer. While his outward demeanor is composed and professional, there's an underlying tension that conveys the immense pressure he is operating under and the severe consequences of failure.
Why This Works for Auditions
This monologue is excellent for auditions because it showcases an actor's ability to convey urgency, gravitas, and underlying tension without resorting to overt emotional displays. The descriptive nature of the briefing allows for a compelling vocal performance, while the inherent stakes provide a strong emotional through-line. It's a contained piece that permits an actor to demonstrate command and presence, making it ideal for self-tapes and general practice.
Best Suited For
This piece is particularly well-suited for male actors in their 40s to 50s. It’s perfect for those aiming for casting types such as Authority Figure, Mentor, Detective, or Military roles. Actors who excel at portraying characters with strong, unwavering resolve and a sense of weighty responsibility will find this monologue a valuable addition to their audition repertoire, especially for agent showcases where demonstrating range and intensity is key.
Performance Tips
When approaching this monologue, focus on vocal control and pacing. The "Formal, Urgent, Ominous" tone should guide your delivery, emphasizing key phrases about the stolen list and the critical mission. While the character is composed, allow a subtle undercurrent of stress and the high stakes to inform your choices. Maintain strong eye contact if performing for a camera, and let the historical context of the cold war-era spy world subtly influence your portrayal of a character intimately familiar with such dangers.