Theatre Scripts

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg.
1
20 Short Practice Scenes
for Pairs
Objective
Students engage in active listening, preliminary character analysis, and practice using natural-
sounding dialogue.
How to Use the Scripts

Below are twenty, one-page practice scripts for two actors and two short scenes for three
actors, in case there is an odd number of students in class. Most of the scenes intentionally
have a lot of room for interpretation.
1. Explain that one of the keys to being believable as an actor is to focus their attention on
their scene partner rather than on a particular way of delivering their lines. You may
choose to play a focus games such as Pass the Clap as a warm-up.
2. Next, demonstrate how one line of dialogue can change given different circumstances.
The Two Lines drama activity offers a way to teach actors to be in the moment and to
respond to their scene partner authentically.
3. Divide group into pairs and either assign a script to each pair or
allow students to choose their own.
4. Instruct students to discuss the scene amongst themselves and

decide on the following:
What is happening in the scene?

What is the relationship of the characters?
What does each character want? (objectives)
How do the characters feel about each other?
5. Ask students to rehearse their scene paying particular attention to responding to their
partner rather than on delivering their line.
6. Have students perform their scenes in front of the rest of the group.
7. Optional—have students take their scenes home and write a character bio for
their character. Character worksheets may be found here.
© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 2

Discussion Questions!
• Audience members—did you feel that the actors were really listening to
one another? Why? Why not?
• Audience members—if the scene was relatively ambiguous, could you tell
what was happening in the scene? What do you think was happening?
• Actors—did it feel different to focus on your scene partner rather than on
how you were going to say your lines?
• Actors—What surprised you? What did you learn?
Or try this!
Scene Entrances
Ask actors to think about their character and the scene and decide where the character is
coming from and what happened to them directly before the scene begins. Remind students
that to create believable characters, actors must imagine that the character is a real person
who existed before the scene began. Characters can enter a scene or open a scene with
remarkably different attitudes depending on the fictional life they created for themselves
before the scene opened.
All Pairs Perform Same Scene

As an exercise, ask each pair of actors to perform the same scene in front of the class. After
all groups have performed, hold a class discussion that centers on why each scene was still
different.
Ask!
• Was every scene exactly the same? (No.)
• Why not? (Each actor brings something new to the role because
each person is different, and if the actor is being authentic, no
two scenes will be alike.)
Fun with Genres

Create a list of genres, or download the Drama Notebook Genre Cards.
Together with their scene partner, ask them to choose one and to rehearse the
scene in that particular style. After each pair performs their scene, the audience
members must guess which genre the actors had chosen.
Sample Genres:
Cartoon Musical
Crime Show Reality Show
Documentary Romantic Comedy
Science Fiction Soap Opera
Horror Western
Before or After
Working together in pairs, ask students to develop a second one-page scene that
happens between the same two characters either before or after the scene they
worked on.

The Needle
A patient tries to avoid getting his/her blood drawn by an inept phlebotomist.
A: This won’t hurt a bit.
B: I think you’re lying.
A: Hold out your arm.
B: Are you sure you’re a doctor?
A: Just relax. This will only take a second.
B: I think I’ll just skip it for today.
A: But it has to be done in order to run the tests.
B: I think I’m going to hyperventilate.
A: Please don’t pass out on me. It’s my first day doing this.
B: I knew it. You look too young to be a doctor.
A: Oh, no. I mean, I’ve practiced before. Mostly on myself and other students.
B: I don’t think you’re holding it the right way.
A: Of course I’m holding it the right way. Just stay still.
B: Isn’t there someone else who can do this?
A: No. I’m the only one on blood duty today.
B: Oh my God. I’m coming back tomorrow.
A: We are closed tomorrow.
B: I don’t care. I’ll come back anytime you’re not here. Goodbye.
A: Come back! It’ll all be over in a second, I promise!

Nosy Neighbor
An annoying person interrupts his neighbor’s date plans.
A: What are you doing here?
B: I need a plunger.
A: Don’t you have a plunger?
B: It’s broken.
A: How do you break a plunger?
B: I don’t think you want to know. Listen, can I stay here tonight?
A: What’s wrong with your place?
B: What if I need to use the bathroom?
A: Well you can’t stay here. I have a date coming over tonight.
B: You’ll never know I’m here. I’ll hang out quietly in your room.
A: No. This is my second date. I am not going to ruin it by having you hanging around.
B: Oh, it’s serious then?
A: That’s none of your business!
B: I could interrogate your date for you. I am a trained lie detector.
A: What the heck are you talking about?
B: You never know who is going to turn out to be a weirdo.
A: Please go. I have to get ready.
B: I could protect you, just in case.
A: Thank you, but I’ll be fine.
B: It smells really good in here. What are you cooking?
A: Beef stroganoff. For my date.
B: I haven’t eaten all day.
A: Out!
B: What about that plunger?

The Audition
A person consoles his/her friend who auditioned and did not get the part.
A: What’s wrong? Why are you crying?
B: I didn’t even make it past the first round.
A: Oh, I’ m sorry to hear that… but… why?
B: Obviously because I have no talent.
A: Of course not. You are very talented.
B: Talented people don’t forget the entire monologue and have to look at their notes every two
seconds.
A: Don’t blame yourself. It could have happened to anyone.
B: Well, it didn’t happen to anyone else.
A: If it makes you feel better, there is always another audition.
B: There’s not going to be another audition. I give up.
A: You just feel that way today. This is just a setback.
B: I think I’m going to become a funeral director.
A: Oh, there’s a fun profession.
B: Hey, I can put the fun in funeral.
A: See, you’re funny…and talented.
B: Lots of funny and talented people never make it in this profession.
A: True. But that’s because they give up.
B: Maybe I could be a dog groomer. You don’t need to audition for that job, right?
A: Let’s go get some ice cream.
B: I can’t.
A: Oh, you have something better to do?
B: I guess so. I have another audition at three.

The Mysterious Trail
A hiker is surprised by an encounter with a talking frog.
A: I wouldn’t go that way if I were you.
B: Why? What’s that way?
A: I don’t know, but no one has ever returned when they went that way.
B: Are you saying that it’s dangerous?
A: I wouldn’t know.
B: Well then why are you warning me? Maybe that way leads to somewhere better and people
don’t want to come back. Or maybe it’s a shortcut.
A: It’s possible.
B: I’m going that way.
A: Suit yourself.
B: Why did you say it like that?
A: Like what?
B: Like you know something.
A: I told you I don’t know where it leads.
B: You’re just crazy. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
A: Probably.
B: I’m wasting my time here. I have to get going.
A: I’m not stopping you.
B: Well, you kind of are.
A: How’s that.
B: Well, look at you.
A: What about me?
B: In general, I would say that one should listen to a warning if it is issued by a talking frog.
A: Why don’t you take a break for lunch and think about it. Do you have any dead flies?

Pringles
Two shoppers in a grocery store argue over a canister of potato chips.
A: Excuse me, I was buying those.
B: No, you weren’t. They were just sitting here on the shelf.
A: I put them down, but I was still getting them.
B: When you put something down, its fair game.
A: Look, people pick items up, put them down and then pick them back up again. It’s part of
shopping, deciding what to buy. I was still deciding when you swooped in.
B: There are still plenty left here on the shelf.
A: I don’t want to be a trouble maker, but these other Pringles have ridges, and I have trouble
with ridges.
B: I’m holding them now, and possession is nine-tenths of the law.
A: What are you, a lawyer?
B: Actually, I am.
A: Those are my Pringles.
B: Yeah, try to get them back.
A: You are a pushy thing, pushing your cart in your Calvin Klein outfit.
B: At least I don’t wear my pajamas to the grocery store and try to claim everything on the
shelf as mine.
A: You probably only chose those chips because I left them on the edge and you wouldn’t have
to pop a pore to reach them.
B: That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble one day.
A: Listen, I’d love to stay here and chat all day, but I need to beat that lady to the last package
of double-stuff Oreos.

The Interrogation
A person is interrogated by the police after a murder at a party.
A: We’d like to get your fingerprints and a sample of your DNA if that’s alright with you.
B: No, it’s not alright with me. Am I under arrest or something?
A: We’re merely trying to establish what happened at the party from your point of view. That’s
all.
B: From my point of view? What is that supposed to mean?
A: Well, maybe I can refresh your memory. What we do know is that your employee, Maggie
Herns was shot at the party before 9 p.m. and fell to her death from a fourth story balcony.
Does that ring a bell?
B: I don’t know what you’re talking about. I wasn’t at the party and I didn’t see Maggie last
night.
A: So, you weren’t at the party and neither was Maggie? Would you like to try again?
B: Okay, I was only there for about five minutes and she wasn’t there.
A: Are you saying she left before you?
B: She may have been there, but I didn’t see her. There were a lot of people there.
A: So, you’re saying someone else did it?
B: I’m saying that it was crowded and I only stayed for a few minutes.
A: About what time was that?
B: I don’t know. Maybe 8:00. I was home by 8:30.
A: There is something else I wanted to ask you. Do you own a gun?
B: Am I under arrest? I don’t think I have to answer these questions.
A: Who was with you when you got home at 8:30?
B: I want a lawyer.
A: I’m going to go ahead and get your fingerprints now.

Lunch
A busy office worker tries to order lunch in a strange restaurant.
A: May I take your order?
B: I’ll have a hamburger and French fries.
A: We don’t have that here.
B: This is a lunch place, right?
A: Yes. We are vegan, dairy free and gluten free.
B: Well, what do you have?
A: I would suggest the Moroccan Chickpea salad or the Tempeh sandwich.
B: What’s tempeh?
A: Fermented soybean cake.
B: Maybe I should look at a menu.
A: Or, you could try our special today. We have a lovely miso sandwich made with chia seed
bread topped with nutritional yeast.
B: Don’t you have just a soup and salad?
A: Yes, our soup today is creamy kale made with a rice-milk base. The salad is mung-bean and
arugula topped with wild dandelion.
B: Dandelions? As in the weeds that grow in my yard?
A: It’s a delicacy.
B: I can go home and chew on my grass if I wanted to eat dandelions.
A: What’s the most normal thing you have?
B: I don’t know what you mean.
A: Like a plate of French fries or something.
B: Oh, yes, we have French fries! They’re made with organic yams and sprinkled with dead Sea
salt.
A: Never mind. I think I have a donut leftover from breakfast in my car.

The Runaway
A teenager who wants to run away, explains his/her big dreams to a friend.
A: What are you doing?
B: I’m packing.
A: Where are you going?
B: I’m running away.
A: Again?
B: This time it’s for good.
A: Where are you going to go?
B: I don’t know. I thought I might try New Zealand this time, or Borneo. I hear it’s beautiful
there.
A: Do you have any money?
B: Yes. $14.76.
A: You can’t get anywhere on $15.
B: Well, maybe I’ll take a bus until I see a circus and I’ll get a job putting up the tents and
they’ll like me so much that I’ll work my way up to Ringmaster.
A: I don’t think it works that way.
B: Okay, then maybe I’ll ride my skateboard until I see a slow-moving train. I’ll hop on that and
wind up in Washington DC and everyone there will like me so much that eventually I’ll become
President.
A: Why are you running away, anyway?
B: My parents. They won’t let me do anything. I wanted to borrow my dad’s good video camera
to make an audition tape for a new reality show.
A: And he wouldn’t let you do it?
B: Well, it was more about what I was going to film. The reality show is called ‘Gross Out,’ and
I was going to eat twenty live cockroaches.
A: Gross.
B: See? They would have put me on the show!

Lonely
A delivery volunteer is delayed by a lonely person.
A: (Knocking on the door.) Hello? I’m from St. Andrews Center. I have groceries. Can you hear
me?
B: (Opening the door.) They told me you were coming today. Please, please come in.
A: I really can’t do that. It’s against policy, and besides it looks like there are a lot of cats in
there.
B: Are you allergic? I can put them in the bedroom.
A: No, it’s alright. I’m just going to leave your groceries.
B: You look hot. Can I get you a glass of water?
A: No, I’m fine. Thank you anyway.
B: I didn’t catch your name.
A: Chris. It’s Chris. Look, I really have to go.
B: My son’s name is Chris. He moved to Alaska to be a fisherman. Have you been to Alaska?
A: I can’t say that I have.
B: Fairbanks. I’ve never been either. I haven’t seen him in years. He promised he would call
often, but you know how busy people get.
A: Yes. Can you manage these by yourself? (Indicating the groceries.)
B: I’ll be fine, dear. Do you call your parents? It’s important to stay in touch these days. You
know, with the internet and the cell phones and the texting, it seems that people don’t really
see each other much anymore.
A: I’m sorry. I have some other deliveries to make.
B: Of course you do, dear. Don’t let me keep you.
A: You’re sure you can manage?
B: Oh yes. Don’t mind me. I can just go on and on.
A: (Turns to go and then turns back.) Listen, I’ll be back next week, okay? And next time I’ll
stay and for a glass of water.
B: I’ll make lemonade. Lemonade is nicer, I’ll make lemonade.

The Painting
Two people in an art gallery discuss a piece of modern art.
A: You’re frowning.
B: This is just my face.
A: It looks like you don’t like it.
B: I’ve never understood modern art.
A: It can be an acquired taste.
B: My uncle was a pig farmer. He had this bucket—called it the Sloppy Bucket. It had blood and
guts and rotten mustard and coffee grounds in it.
A: The painting reminds you of that?
B: Yes. And you know what he did with the stuff in the bucket?
A: I’m afraid to ask.
B: Fed it to the pigs.
A: So, you’re saying that the painting should be used as pig food?
B: Maybe the artist wasn’t finished.
A: You think it needs more work?
B: Maybe less, actually.
A: They do say that some artists don’t know when to stop. They cross over this line into ruining
their piece.
B: But it’s hanging in this gallery. So, someone had to think it was pretty good.
A: Good enough to put a $4,000 price on it.
B: Is that how much it is?
A: The other one, over there, just sold for $5,500. It’s by the same artist.
B: Maybe the colors go with their couch.
A: You think it’s pretty bad, huh?
B: You know, the more that I stare at it, I’m beginning to see the appeal.
A: You know I’m the artist, right?

Running for Office
A young politician convinces a friend of his/her worthiness for office.
A: What are you doing?
B: I’m making a campaign poster.
A: For what?
B: I’m running for governor.
A: Are you sure you’re qualified to do that?
B: Of course, I am. I have strong people skills. I’m well-liked by everyone. I’m fair and honest,
and I am passionate about making a difference.
A: All that is true, I guess. But don’t you need a lot of money to do things like put ads on TV?
B: I’m going to make videos that go viral.
A: Campaigning takes a lot of time and energy. Are you sure you’re up for it?
B: It’s July. What else is there to do?
A: I don’t know. Go swimming. Take a vacation?
B: This is more important. We need strong leaders if we are going to change our world for the
better.
A: You certainly sound committed.
B: Do you want to help? Here. Make a sign.
A: Well, alright.
B: Use these gold star stickers too. Everyone likes gold stars.
A: You know that we are going to have to make hundreds of these? Maybe thousands.
B: Better go a little faster then.
A: Even if you won this election, are you sure they will let you be the governor?
B: Of course. Why not?
A: You’re eleven.
B: So? I’ll make a better governor than the one we have now!
A: You do have answer for everything. You’ll probably make a great politician.

Grandma
Two relatives debate whether or not to put grandma in a nursing home.
A: Where is she?
B: She’s out on the back porch.
A: Is the screen locked?
B: Yes.
A: Are you sure? We can’t go through that again.
B: I’m sure.
A: I think we have to start looking at other options.
B: Like what?
A: There are some very nice retirement homes nowadays.
B: That’s just a fancy name for a nursing home. We can’t stick her in one of those places.
A: We can’t have her wandering down highway 43 in the middle of the night either.
B: We’re okay now. We’ve taken precautions.
A: I’m not convinced that a few locks are going to do the trick.
B: Maybe we could handcuff her to the bed at night.
A: Don’t be ridiculous.
B: Or maybe we could chain her up in the basement.
A: Haha. I’m being serious. I don’t see why it matters anyway. She doesn’t even know she’s
here most of the time. She wouldn’t know if she was in a home, and she’d be safe.
B: But there are moments…
A: I know.
B: There are moments when she knows exactly where she is and who she is and who we are.
She sits on that porch and listens to the cicadas and suddenly, she is her old self again.
A: For a few minutes.
B: I want her to have as many of those minutes as she can before….
A: I know. You’re right. Me too.

I’d Rather be in Oz
A teen tries to comfort a friend who is about to get in trouble with her dad.
A: Would you come to my funeral?
B: Of course. And I’ll bring daisies.
A: What if they’re not in season?
B: C’mon now. Let’s get serious. It’s not as bad as that.
A: You don’t know my father.
B: Not like you, but he’s your dad. He’ll understand.
A: One time, I killed a spider. I’m pretty sure it was a brown recluse. He flipped. He said that all
life is precious, even a spider’s.
B: Look, you’re his kid. He won’t stay mad at you forever.
A: It’s more than him, though. He’s so into that church and their wild ideas. I don’t think there’s
any redemption from what I’ve done.
B: Does he even have to know?
A: Mr. Wilke’s is coming over tomorrow. I tried to talk him out of it, but he said that he thinks
that what we did should be illegal and that it’s his duty to inform my father.
B: When I’m an adult, I’m going to be way more cool than that.
A: I know, right? It wasn’t illegal, and it’s really none of his business.
B: What does Jamie have to say?
A: We haven’t spoken since…since last Thursday.
B: I’m sorry. God, do you hear that wind?
A: Yeah, there’s a tornado warning, but it’s supposed to be miles away from here.
B: I’d better get home. Are you going to be alright?
A: Yeah. Will you call me later?
B: Promise not to kill yourself.
A: No, I’m not going to do that. But maybe that tornado will head straight for my house and I’ll
end up in Oz like Dorothy, and not have to deal with the little meeting tomorrow.
B: See, you’re still funny. You’re going to be okay.

Famous Last Words
A teen tries to console a friend whose mother just died.
A: I’m afraid of saying the wrong thing.
B: Just having you here is enough. Most of my friends didn’t show up.
A: Did she know she was sick?
B: I doubt it. I mean she was shocked. You should have seen the look on her face.
A: I couldn’t have handled it. I don’t know how you’re surviving.
B: What choice do I have? No one prepares you for your mother dying right in front of you.
A: What happens now? Where are you going to live?
B: Honestly, I haven’t thought about it. Do you know what I’ve been doing?
A: What?
B: Well, considering her last words, I have been looking up what famous people have said right
before they die.
A: Okay….
B: I mean, it really bothered me that that’s what came to mind when she drew her last breath.
A: What did she say?
B: (Ignoring.) Leonardo Da Vinci said, “I have offended God and mankind because my work did
not reach the quality it should have.”
A: Didn’t he paint like the Mona Lisa and all those murals?
B: Yeah. (Pause.) Some are really profound, like Emily Dickinson. You know what she said? “I
must go in, for the fog is rising.”
A: Wow. Once a poet, always a poet, I guess. So, what did your mom say?
B: (Ignoring again.) Some of them are actually funny. Like Eugene O’Neill. He was a playwright.
He said, “I knew it! I knew it! Born in a hotel room and, dang it, dying in a hotel room!”
A: What did your mom say?
B: Come to think of it, it is kind of funny. I mean, my mom was always being sarcastic. It
wasn’t “I love you with all of my heart,” or “Please take care of your brother.” You know what
she said? She said, “It’s your turn to take out the garbage.” (Laughs.)
A: (Hugs Character B. who starts to tear up.) Well, you’d better do it. Famous last words and
all. I’ll help you, okay?
The Edge
Two hikers speculate about becoming famous upon discovering the world is flat.
A: They’ve been lying to us the whole time.
B: Careful! Step back!
A: I need to get a picture.
B: No one is going to believe us.
A: They will if I have photos.
B: Hello? Photoshop?
A: Then we have to bring people back here.
B: To the edge of the world?
A: Yes. We just discovered that the world is flat! No one will believe us unless we show them.
B: Okay, but there is one problem.
A: What?
B: We were lost when we found this place. We must have walked for miles in the dark.
A: Good point. We’ll have to mark a trail on the way out.
B: Let’s find something to use. (Looking around.)
A: We’re going to be famous!
B: Here. Here are some round pebbles. Stuff ‘em in your pockets.
A: When we get back, we are going to be on every news station, every magazine cover, every
talk show. We’ll probably make a billion dollars on appearances.
B: How could they have kept this a secret for so long?
A: Beats me, but look. There it is!
B: We need to be extremely careful marking our trail.
A: You’re right. There are tons of pebbles over there by that sign.
B: Great! What…wait. What sign? What does it say?
A: (Reading the sign.) Welcome to the world’s largest natural infinity pool.
A/B Together: Oh.

It Won’t be All Roses
A person tries to console someone after a terrible tragedy.
A: Why is it so dark in here? Let’s open the shades.
B: Please don’t.
A: Now come on. It’s time you got up. I brought you a ham sandwich.
B: I’m not hungry.
A: Well, you’ve got to eat something. It’s been three days.
B: I just want to be left alone.
A: Yeah, we tried that. It’s time we tried something else.
B: It’s too bright in here.
A: Listen, Justine will be here soon. You really should talk to her.
B: (Sighs.) I’m not ready. Really. I’m not ready.
A: You’re going to have to soon or later. C’mon. Get up, take a shower. I’ll make you some
coffee.
B: Why does the world feel like it’s spinning?
A: It’s only temporary. And right now is the hardest part.
B: It doesn’t feel like it will ever change.
A: Well it will. It won’t be all roses and rainbows right away, and maybe not ever. But how
you’re feeling right now, it will change.
B: I should never have---
A: ---Now, don’t start with that again. It wasn’t your fault.
B: I just miss him so much! (Breaking down.)
A: I know. We all do.
B: It should have been me.
A: No. It’s exactly as it is supposed to be. You have to stop being so hard on yourself. There
are people who need you. Justine needs you.
B: In my head, I know you’re right. But my heart…(long pause). Alright…I’m going to take a
shower and I’ll try to eat something. What time will she be here?

The Bargain
A: I’ll give you a dollar for it.
B: No way. I told you that it was twenty dollars.
A: But I only have a dollar.
B: You do realize that I’ve come all the way down here to sell this to you.
A: Yes.
B: And I told you up front that the price was twenty dollars.
A: Yes.
B: And you are offering me one dollar?
A: That is correct.
B: Why on earth would I sell this to you for a dollar?
A: Well, the way I see it, there are no other buyers.
B: I turned the other offers down because you told me that you would buy it for twenty dollars.
A: Right. So, they’re no longer in the picture. Now you have an item that no one else wants,
which brings it down in value.
B: You’re crazy.
A: I’m doing you a favor by taking this basically worthless thing off your hands.
B: Let’s not waste each other’s time. I’ll give it to you for fifteen dollars and we’ll call it good.
A: I only have a dollar.
B: I’m outta here.
A: Wait. I’ll give you ten.
B: You just said you only had a dollar.
A: In this pocket. I have nine more in this other pocket.
B: Oh, for Pete’s sake. Just give me the ten dollars.
A: (Fumbles for money…while B hands over the item, which drops and breaks.) Uh oh.
B: Hand over the ten dollars.
A: Sorry. I don’t want it now.

Excuses
A person offers ridiculous excuses for being late.
A: We’ve been through this before. You could have at least called.
B: I was stuck in the year 1622, how exactly did you expect me to call?
A: It’s my birthday. I’m in no mood for this.
B: Oh, come on. I’m not that late.
A: An hour.
B: See, this is the earliest I’ve ever been late!
A: It’s nothing to brag about. What really happened?
B: I was kidnapped by the One-hour Liberation Army. They let me go after one hour.
A: Stop. Just stop.
B: Okay, I had to chase my cows back into the field.
A: You live in an apartment.
B: I had to chase my imaginary cows back into the imaginary field.
A: This really isn’t funny!
B: Alright. What really happened was, well…you’ve heard of that bear who is going around
hijacking cars, right--
A: --Look. I’ve been putting up with this long enough. You owe it to me to A: start being on
time, and B: tell me the truth!
B: There was a bee in the car?
A: Stop!
B: Okay. I’ll tell you what really happened, but you won’t believe it. I was abducted by aliens.
After being transported to the mother ship, the aliens decided my brains weren’t worth sucking
out. They sent me back--
A: --That’s it. If you’re not going to---
B: --Wait. Don’t leave. (Pulls envelope out of pocket.) This was supposed to be a surprise. I
was going to give it to you over dinner. (Hands over envelope.) They’re tickets to (favorite rock
band). I stood in line for six hours to get them. Happy birthday!
A: (Jumping up and down.) No way! No way! Okay, you are forgiven. (Pause.) But you’d better
not be late for THIS.
Breaking and Entering
A: Where did you learn to pick a lock?
B: Shhh. I need to concentrate.
A: Hurry up.
B: Don’t rush me.
A: I can’t believe we are doing this.
B: Well, can you think of a better way?
A: No. I think I hear someone coming.
(Both freeze for a moment. It’s quiet. They resume.)
B: I’ve almost got it.
A: What do you think we are going to find?
B: I don’t know. Something…anything.
A: Are you sure we shouldn’t leave this to the police?
B: We tried. They won’t do anything.
A: Maybe we can try again.
B: We need more evidence.
A: Hurry up.
B: I’m doing my best. Do you want to do it?
A: No. Sorry.
B: What time did you say he’s coming back?
A: He doesn’t get off work until 5:30. We have an hour.
B: I think I’ve got it. (Turns the doorknob and opens the door.)
A: Oh my God. Put your gloves on. And wipe down the doorknob.
B: Last chance to back out.
A: No way. We are doing this!

House-hunting
Two people consider buying a house that has a dark history.
A: I love it! Don’t you love it?
B: It’s alright.
A: What do you mean ‘alright?’ It’s amazing. I mean, four bedrooms, three baths, a jacuzzi, and
look at all this marble. I’ve always wanted marble in a kitchen.
B: It’s not really my style.
A: Well, I know, but you aren’t going to be the one spending so much time in here. But the
garage. Three-car garage!
B: Yeah, that was nice.
A: Nice, are you kidding me? There’s room for our cars plus tons of storage.
B: Did you see the freezer in the garage? They left behind a freezer. I wonder what’s in it.
A: Oh, don’t be ridiculous. I’m sure it’s nothing.
B: We didn’t look in the attic.
A: Why are you so concerned about the attic?
B: I just think we should go up there is all.
A: Fine. We’ll look at the attic. Anything else?
B: We should bring a cadaver dog to check out the garden area.
A: Oh, come on. The police have already searched the property. There’s nothing here.
B: I wouldn’t be so sure.
A: Look, this is the only house that’s even remotely decent in our price range. It’s not just
decent, it’s incredible. A pool. It even has a pool.
B: Did they look in the bottom of the pool? We should take the cover off.
A: Relax. I’m sure it’s fine. Think about it. We could have all of this within our budget.
B: Yeah, all we have to do is live in a house where someone was murdered in the kitchen and
they never found the body.
A: Right. No big deal. Whoa. Look at this. A pizza oven!

Let us In!
(Scene for three actors.) Two people vie for one last open spot.
A: Look, the boss says I can only let one of you in. Fire Marshall has a limit of how many
people can be in there.
B: Well, I was here first.
C: But I’m better looking.
B: What does that have to do with it?
C: Beautiful people help make the event a success.
A: It’s true.
B: I’ll probably spend more money inside.
A: That’s a good point.
C: I already have three friends in there who are expecting me.
B: Well, the paparazzi will probably want to take pictures of me because I had that video go
viral last year.
C: Last year.
A: Yeah, that’s not exactly fresh news, buddy.
B: My other one is about to go viral.
C: Sure, it is. (To A.) Did you see my temporary tattoo? I had it done just for this event.
A: Impressive.
B: It’s temporary.
C: So? What do you bring to this thing, other than your oversized head?
A: Hey, no need to get personal.
B: Yeah. Hey, listen, speaking of personal…I happen to be friends with Andrew Jackson.
(Waving a $20 bill.) Do you want to meet him?
C: Bribing! That’s not fair.
A: I think it’s called a tip. (Taking the money.) And that’s totally allowed.
B: So, can I go in now?

A: Nope. Boss just talked into my earpiece. He let a friend of his in through the back. We’re at
our limit.
B: What?
A: Yeah, we’ll have to wait until someone leaves.
C: (Sing-song.) You lost your twenty dollars. You lost your twenty dollars.
B: It’s not lost. It’s on hold. I’m still getting in ahead of you.
C: Yeah, we’ll see about that. I’m getting cold.
B: Me too.
A: (Looking off in the distance.) Oh, hello ladies!
C: Who are they?
A: Contestants from the Miss Universe Pageant. They told me they might come by.
B: You’re going to let them in, aren’t you?
A: Well, the boss will probably make an exception for them.
C: This is ridiculous!
B: I have a feeling we are never going to get in.
C: Starting to look that way.
B: Hey, I heard about this other party down the street. Wanna go check it out?
C: Sure. Probably better than this event anyway.
(They start to leave together.)
B: Yeah, especially because we will actually get in!

Trapped
(Scene for three actors.) Three people with different personalities are trapped in an elevator.
A: Push the button.
B: I did.
C: Did you try the red one? Push it again.
B: I did, but okay. (Pushes the button.)
C: Shouldn’t there be a sound or something? It says emergency.
A: We should push all of them just in case. Here. (Frantically pushes all of the buttons. All three
react as the overhead lights go off.)
B: Oh great. Now you’ve done it. We can’t see a thing!
A: How was I supposed to know?
C: Pushing all the buttons at once never solves the problem.
A: What, are you some kind of engineer?
C: Actually, yes.
B: Let’s try to stay calm. There has to be some sort of alert system. Someone’s probably
working on getting us out already.
A: Unless it’s the zombie apocalypse. It’s probably the zombie apocalypse.
C: Scientifically impossible.
A: That’s what every scientist in every zombie movie says and guess who is the first one who
gets his head eaten off?
B: Listen, this was not caused by zombies, okay? Let’s think this through and come up with a
plan.
A: I need to eat my sandwich. (Unwrapping noise.)
B/C: Ew. What is that? (Ad-libbing.)
A: Egg salad.
B: You opened an egg salad sandwich, which is basically a stink bomb in an enclosed elevator?
C: It’s just the sulfur.
B: What?

C: The smell is due to a reaction between traces of iron in the yolk and sulfur in the white. It
happens only when the eggs have been overcooked. Perfectly cooked yolks are moist and deep
orange and do not smell.
B: Okay, obviously you’re the brains in the group. Do you have any ideas that will get us out of
here?
C: Give me a minute.
A: Does anyone want a bite?
B/C: NO!
B: Can you please put that away?
A: No. I’ll need my strength when the zombies pry open the elevator doors to get at our flesh.
C: Cell phones.
B: What?
C: Our cell phones. We use them to call maintenance.
B: Of course. We should have thought of that before.
C: Oh great. No signal.
B: Let me try. I have Verizon. (Pause.) Oh my God.
A/C: What?
B: It’s a text from the Emergency Alert System.
A/C: (Ad-libbing.) What? What does it say?
B: This is not a test. The Center for Disease Control is alerting the public to a Necroa Virus
pandemic.
A: See, I was right. Zombies.

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© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg.

How to Use the Scripts

4. Instruct students to discuss the scene amongst themselves and

What is happening in the scene?

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 2

All Pairs Perform Same Scene

Fun with Genres

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 3

A: This won’t hurt a bit.

B: I think you’re lying.

A: Hold out your arm.

B: Are you sure you’re a doctor?

A: Just relax. This will only take a second.

B: I think I’ll just skip it for today.

A: But it has to be done in order to run the tests.

B: I think I’m going to hyperventilate.

B: I knew it. You look too young to be a doctor.

B: I don’t think you’re holding it the right way.

A: Of course I’m holding it the right way. Just stay still.

B: Isn’t there someone else who can do this?

A: No. I’m the only one on blood duty today.

B: Oh my God. I’m coming back tomorrow.

A: We are closed tomorrow.

A: Come back! It’ll all be over in a second, I promise!

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 4

A: What are you doing here?

A: Don’t you have a plunger?

A: How do you break a plunger?

A: What’s wrong with your place?

B: What if I need to use the bathroom?

B: Oh, it’s serious then?

A: That’s none of your business!

B: I could interrogate your date for you. I am a trained lie detector.

A: What the heck are you talking about?

B: You never know who is going to turn out to be a weirdo.

A: Please go. I have to get ready.

B: I could protect you, just in case.

A: Thank you, but I’ll be fine.

B: It smells really good in here. What are you cooking?

A: Beef stroganoff. For my date.

B: I haven’t eaten all day.

B: What about that plunger?

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 5

A: What’s wrong? Why are you crying?

B: I didn’t even make it past the first round.

A: Oh, I’ m sorry to hear that… but… why?

B: Obviously because I have no talent.

A: Of course not. You are very talented.

A: Don’t blame yourself. It could have happened to anyone.

B: Well, it didn’t happen to anyone else.

A: If it makes you feel better, there is always another audition.

B: There’s not going to be another audition. I give up.

A: You just feel that way today. This is just a setback.

B: I think I’m going to become a funeral director.

A: Oh, there’s a fun profession.

B: Hey, I can put the fun in funeral.

A: See, you’re funny…and talented.

B: Lots of funny and talented people never make it in this profession.

A: True. But that’s because they give up.