Three-handers are unusual beasts. There’s one thing uncommon concerning the vitality—the dynamic between three characters when all you actually need for good drama are two. Writers must work more durable to justify that pesky third particular person, who tends to be forged as both a moderator between the primary two figures … or as a destroyer of the dynamic between them. Maybe because of this, as we’ve present in earlier articles about performs for 3 performers, scenes for 3 actors are rarer than you may assume. It’s a disgrace, although: as a result of three-hander is ripe for drama and battle!

This text incorporates a group of authentic, copyright-free scenes for 3 actors. Every scene was developed in-house by employees at StageMilk. There’s a mixture of dramatic and comedic scenes of various lengths and types.  These scenes could also be used for performing lessons, showcases or scene examine between actors.

Similar to our observe scenes for actors and observe monologues for actors articles, we are likely to replace replace these pages often. So be at liberty to present this web page a bookmark and examine in for brand spanking new authentic materials. You by no means know what may leap off the web page and seize your creativeness.

Copyright-Free Scripts

Earlier than we get into the great things, let’s speak briefly about copyright-free materials. It’s pretty simple to discover performing assets on-line you don’t must pay for. That’s kinda how a number of the web works.

And whereas we’re providing this materials as much as you for free of charge, it’s price fascinated by the place your scenes and monologues come from: who writes them and the way they pay their payments when a lot of their output is out there on the click on of a button.

Have a take into consideration the place your scripts come from. Should you can, discover methods to pay it ahead to the artists who write them. Did you employ an important scene by a playwright for that audition you nailed? Contemplate shopping for the play on-line! Have a favorite e book of monologues you swear by? Get it as a present for an actor buddy! (Oh, and earlier than you spiral into guilt, allow us to guarantee you we paid the author of those scenes.)

From the Author:

Hi there! My identify is Alexander Lee-Rekers; I’m an expert playwright and screenwriter. I hereby give my permission so that you can use the scenes on this web page for private observe, in addition to showreels. showcases and auditions. All I ask is that you just credit score my work—particularly for those who put up it on social media. (Should you’re feeling courageous, you possibly can tag me through @alexnobodyfamous so I can see what you do with it!)

None of those scenes are to be recorded, filmed, staged, re-written, developed or tailored for skilled functions. Authorized stuff apart: go for it! Make daring decisions! Pull ’em aside and provides ’em a go!

Scenes for Three Actors

These scenes utilise an in-house formatting model we use for our StageMilk Scene Membership, which is nearer to a playscript than a screenplay. There’s much less visible info to go on, fewer stage instructions. However use this as a possibility to experiment with staging relatively than feeling listless. How will you interpret it? What can your script evaluation let you know about how the scene may unfold?

Last item: within the context of a category, examine or showcase, don’t let your self be sure to the age or gender of characters as written on the web page. Who do you sympathise with, who do you vibe with? Is there a specific theme or emotion you’re trying to seize? If that’s the case, contemplate modifying the identify or pronoun to fit your needs greatest.

Style: Drama
Size: 3 minutes
Synopsis: Whereas prepping a fortieth marriage ceremony anniversary get together for his or her mother and father, two siblings are stunned by the sudden look of their estranged older brother.

Efficiency Notes: Quite a bit goes unsaid on this piece concerning the historical past of every character—in addition to their shared relationships. Delve into your character and discover what distinguishes them: their voice, their mannerisms, the rhythm of their speech. Whereas there may be humour on this piece, don’t be afraid to sit down within the drama as properly; the scenario could also be considerably absurd for these concerned, however they’re nonetheless actual folks coping with occasions unfolding.

Style: Comedy
Size: 3 minutes
Synopsis: Three buddies have began a enterprise doing crime scene clean-up. Coated in blood and viscera, they interrogate their causes for selecting such distasteful work.

Efficiency Notes: Whereas this piece sits firmly within the comedy style, don’t be afraid to work on the circumstances of the scene so it feels completely actual. Polly, specifically, is a personality who threatens to grow to be very over-the-top. Work to search out out why she is this fashion, and what she sees within the different characters (whom she clearly feels affection for even when she will be able to’t convey it.)

Style: Comedy
Size: 2 – 3 minutes
Synopsis: Lucy known as into an odd mediation at work following her boss’s discovery about her private life.

Efficiency Notes: Look to strike the steadiness between “mundane” and “absurd” on this piece. Some characters are excessive, some issues they are saying are totally ridiculous. And but, there needs to be little question of their minds that they’re affordable, clever folks. The comedy of this scene comes from the sincerity of Cliff and Derek, and the indignation of Lucy as she is ambushed. Discover the reality and the humour will observe!

Style: Drama
Size: 2 -3 minutes
Synopsis: Two buddies farewell the third of their trio, who’s abandoning their small city for brand spanking new alternatives.

Efficiency Notes: This one is all concerning the chemistry between its characters. Spend time on their shared backstory, constructing out that rapport, that may make them appear to be they’ve identified one another for 3 lifetimes—not three minutes. Moreover, take into consideration what’s forward. Ren appears to have all of it discovered, the entire world forward of them! What’s it like for Sarah and Albert, who don’t have the identical path in entrance. How is that this scene a turning level in not simply Ren’s life, however everyone’s?

Conclusion

So there you may have it: contemporary, authentic scripts for 3 actors! As you flick through the choice and begin studying, take care to notice any recurring recommendation within the efficiency notes. Be cautious of given circumstances and character relationships. Look to distinguishing your character from the others by anchoring them with a robust goal, in addition to actions that swimsuit their character’s character and motivations.

Above all, play shut consideration to the world of the script. The extra you possibly can construct this out, knowledgeable by script evaluation, the extra profitable you may be in realising the scene as an entire, standalone work. These scripts aren’t excerpts, however that’s to not say they don’t counsel a bigger narrative, or arc for the characters with subtext to match. Method these scenes with the identical rigour you’d a Shakespeare play or a ten-part collection. Your performing might be stronger for it.

Good luck!