© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg.

1
Actor’s Nightmare
(Best for ages 12 and up)

Objective
Students develop improvisational skills and stage presence by acting in pairs, using partially
completed scripts.

Every actor eventually has the nightmare that he’s stepped onstage without having memorized
the script. This game simulates the nightmare and teaches young actors to be authentic by
thinking and reacting in the moment. The 29 short scripts below have ONLY the lines spoken by
the actor with the script. For the purposes of this exercise, we’ll call this actor RILEY.

How to play!
Put two players onstage. Give one of the actors the RILEY lines. The other player must
respond by making up her lines. The second actor’s lines have been intentionally
omitted so as to not confuse the actor who has the script and to help keep him/her in
the moment too. The actor with the lines has the challenge of responding authentically
to the improvising actor.

NOTE about the scripts: Most of the scripts below are original, however, there are a few
derived from actual movies and plays! A few of the scripts are gender-specific; be sure
to read them ahead of time and assign scripts according to the maturity level and make-
up of your group.

Or try this!
Off Book
Give each actor a ten line script to memorize
before the next class. Play the game with one
person “off book.”

Create a Scene
Give two actors one script and have them create a
meaningful scene by filling in the missing lines.
For an interesting twist, give all pairs the SAME
lines and see how the scene varies from team to
team.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 2

Play it Again
Invite each actor to bring in an excerpt from a script of their choosing and play
the game again. Players may use song lyrics or poems as well.

Ask!
How does this activity help us as actors?
Which was more difficult for you: playing RILEY or improvising your lines?
Why?
How did the activity change for you when you memorized your lines in
advance?

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 3

SCENE ONE

RILEY: This won’t hurt a bit.

RILEY: Hold out your arm.

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

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

RILEY: Please don’t faint on me. It’s my first day doing this.

RILEY: Oh, no. I mean, I’ve practiced before. Mostly on myself and other students.

RILEY: Of course I’m holding it the right way. Just sit still.

RILEY: No. I’m the only one who can do this today.

RILEY: We are closed tomorrow.

RILEY: It’ll all be over in a second.

SCENE TWO

RILEY: May I take your order?

RILEY: We don’t have that here.

RILEY: Can’t you read the menu? It’s right up there.

RILEY: Do you mean French fries?

RILEY: Large, medium or small?

RILEY: Ketchup is extra.

RILEY: How would you like that cooked?

RILEY: That’ll be $14.95.

RILEY: We don’t take coupons.

RILEY: Here’s your number. It’ll be up shortly.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 4

SCENE THREE

RILEY: Excuse me. Is this the line?

RILEY: Jeez. It looks like a long wait.

RILEY: Where are you going?

RILEY: I’m visiting my aunt in California. She has a goiter.

RILEY: Big puffy neck. Bulging eyes. You know. Goiter.

RILEY: Boy, you sure packed a lot of stuff. Where did you say you were going again?

RILEY: That sounds awful.

RILEY: Why did you pack so much stuff?

RILEY: What’s in the little cage?

RILEY: They let you take that on the plane?

SCENE FOUR

RILEY: You look different than your picture online.

RILEY: Well, I wouldn’t say better, just different.

RILEY: For one thing, it said you were over six feet tall.

RILEY: Do you wear high heels all of the time?

RILEY: In your picture, you also had blonde hair.

RILEY: Tell me about your hobbies again.

RILEY: Your profile said you were into salmon-fishing and riding motorcycles.

RILEY: Maybe it’s time to update your page.

RILEY: Oh look, I just got a text. Someone has an emergency. I have to go.

RILEY: Yeah, sure. I’ll call you.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 5

SCENE FIVE

RILEY: How are you, my dear Earnest? What brings you up to town?

RILEY: I believe it is customary in good society to take some slight refreshment at five o’clock.
Where have you been since last Thursday?

RILEY: What on earth do you do there?

RILEY: And who are the people you amuse?

RILEY: Got nice neighbors in your part of Shropshire?

RILEY: How immensely you must amuse them! By the way, Shropshire is your county, is it not?

RILEY: Oh! Merely Aunt Augusta and Gwendolen.

RILEY: Yes, that is all very well. But I’m afraid Aunt Augusta won’t quite approve of your being
here.

RILEY: My dear fellow, the way you flirt with Gwendolen is perfectly disgraceful. It’s almost as
bad as the way Gwendolen flirts with you.

RILEY: I thought you had come up to have fun, but apparently not.

SCENE SIX

RILEY: What is it? You sounded weird on the phone.

RILEY: Oh God, not this again. You have to let go of her!

RILEY: She’s been gone for four years.

RILEY: No, you have to move on! Don’t you get it? You are driving yourself and everyone
around you crazy.

RILEY: I know. And losing her was the hardest thing I had to do. But we all have to move on.
Especially you.

RILEY: Will you listen to yourself? She’s dead. There’s nothing you can do to change that now.

RILEY: Proof? I was at the funeral.

RILEY: What are you talking about? She is not still alive.

RILEY: No, I didn’t hear anything.

RILEY: You’re imagining things!

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 6

SCENE SEVEN

RILEY: What’s wrong? Why are you crying?

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

RILEY: Of course not. You are very talented.

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

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

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

RILEY: Oh, there’s a fun profession.

RILEY: See, you’re funny…and talented.

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

RILEY: Let’s go get some ice cream.

SCENE EIGHT

RILEY: What are you doing here?

RILEY: So, talk.

RILEY: Oh. Okay. Thanks for telling me.

RILEY: No, she was your mother. She gave me up a long time ago.

RILEY: Yeah, well see your best friends go to jail and see if you come back all hunky dory.

RILEY: I don’t want to talk about it.

RILEY: Do you really want to know what happened?

RILEY: It’s not my fault. She kicked me out, not the other way around.

RILEY: I didn’t ask for that.

RILEY: Well, it’s a little late for that, now isn’t it.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 7

SCENE NINE

RILEY: Are you lost?

RILEY: This here is Elysian Fields.

RILEY: You need to look no further.

RILEY: Gee, that’s the party all right. But you sure just did miss her.

RILEY: She’s got the downstairs and I got the up.

RILEY: You notice that bowling alley up the street?

RILEY: Well, that’s where she’s at, honey.

RILEY: That’s right. She’s watching her husband bowl.

RILEY: Right down there. Go on now.

RILEY: Why there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s just dark. Dark is all.

SCENE TEN

RILEY: (Knocking on the door.) Hello? It’s me, Riley, from the Joshua Center. I have groceries.
Can you hear me?

RILEY: I really can’t do that. It’s against policy, and besides there are a lot of cats out here.

RILEY: Glad to meet you. I’m Riley. I’ll be your regular delivery person.

RILEY: No, we aren’t allowed to take tips. You’re new to this, aren’t you?

RILEY: No, I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay. If there’s anything else I can get
you…

RILEY: You know, I don’t just deliver groceries. We can talk a while if you like.

RILEY: This is a nice place. I see you’re a minimalist.

RILEY: Have you had any training yet?

RILEY: Yeah. You know, sword-fighting.

RILEY: Well, I couldn’t help but notice your sword collection.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 8

SCENE ELEVEN

RILEY: What are you doing here?

RILEY: Don’t you have a plunger?

RILEY: How do you break a plunger?

RILEY: Don’t you have your own apartment to go to?

RILEY: Why not?

RILEY: Well you can’t stay here. I have a date tonight.

RILEY: No! This is my second date. I am not going to ruin it by having you hanging around.

RILEY: That’s none of your business!

RILEY: What the heck are you talking about?

RILEY: Whatever. Now get out. I have to get ready.

SCENE TWELVE

RILEY: I want to explain.

RILEY: Come on. Let me at least tell you my side.

RILEY: That’s not true.

RILEY: I didn’t mean for you to get fired.

RILEY: I’m in love with you.

RILEY: I’ve never felt this way about anybody. I guess I freaked out.

RILEY: I’m telling you now. When you stopped answering your phone I didn’t know what else
to do. I never meant for any of this to happen.

RILEY: Yes, I’ll do anything to make it up to you.

RILEY: I promise. Just tell me what I can do to prove I love you.

RILEY: Well, anything but that.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 9

SCENE THIRTEEN

RILEY: I had such a good time with you tonight. Thank you.

RILEY: I know. That waiter was a jerk. He was jealous because I was with you.

RILEY: Before we go any further, there’s something I have to tell you.

RILEY: No, nothing like that. But I have a little problem.

RILEY: It’s just that I like you and I don’t want things to get weird.

RILEY: I have…(RILEY suddenly falls asleep.)

RILEY: Oh God, I didn’t do it, did I?

RILEY: Fall asleep.

RILEY: That’s what I was trying to tell you. I have narcolepsy. When I get nervous, it usually
kicks in.

RILEY: Not, it’s not contagious.

SCENE FOURTEEN

RILEY: I just got back from the police station. The detectives called me in to ask me some
questions.

RILEY: They asked me about you.

RILEY: No much. They brought up some stuff from the past. They seemed to know a lot about
you.

RILEY: I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose a child of my own, so I couldn’t say what is
normal.

RILEY: Maybe you should rest. I can order some take-out later.

RILEY: You forgot to tell the police something?

RILEY: Well, what is it?

RILEY: You should definitely tell them that.

RILEY: No, it is important. It is very important.

RILEY: Let go of me. I’m calling the police now.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 10

SCENE FIFTEEN

RILEY: So there you are. It seemed odd, suddenly you not being there.

RILEY: Why should you be? After all, six nights a week of watching even Margo Channing enter
and leave a theater.

RILEY: Not at all.

RILEY: To speak to just a playwright’s wife? I’m the lowest form of celebrity.

RILEY: Bill Sampson? He’s…he’s a director.

RILEY: He’ll agree with you. Tell me, what do you do between the time Margo goes in and
comes out? Just huddle in the doorway and wait?

RILEY: You see the play? Every performance? Don’t you find it expensive?

RILEY: I’m going to take you to Margo.

RILEY: She’s got to meet you.

RILEY: There isn’t another like you, there couldn’t be. By the way, what’s your name?

SCENE SIXTEEN

RILEY: How do you manage to keep your figure, Mrs. Benson?

RILEY: That is your name, isn’t it, Mrs. Benson?

RILEY: I’m sorry. Suppose I call you Jill. That’s more friendly. Now Jill, you were telling me
about your childhood.

RILEY: It must have been interesting having so many father figures.

RILEY: You do?

RILEY: I was interested to see what you and Donnie might have in common. He likes you very
much.

RILEY: Then you would want what’s best for him, wouldn’t you?

RILEY: You constantly astonish me.

RILEY: It’s funny how like Linda you are.

RILEY: Well, Donnie’s certainly consistent with his girls.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 11

SCENE SEVENTEEN

RILEY: Old Lady Swanger says you need some help. Here I am.

RILEY: What’s the rake for?

RILEY: Ain’t for gardening, that’s for sure. Number one, you got a hose I can plow all day. I’m a
worker. Number two, there’s no man better than me ‘cause there’s no man around who ain’t
old or full of mischief. I know your plight.

RILEY: Am I hard to hear ‘cause you keep repeating everything. I’m not looking for money. I’m
not a servant. Do you get my meaning?

RILEY: People’ll have to empty their own night jars, that’s my point.

RILEY: And I’m not planning to work while you watch neither.

RILEY: Is that a yes or a no?

RILEY: There’s half the day yet. Let’s make a start. My name’s Ruby. I know your name.

RILEY: I despise a flogging rooster. Where is he?

RILEY: Let’s put him in a pot.

SCENE EIGHTEEN

RILEY: I can’t send you to prison.

RILEY: Maybe you’re just happier being miserable. Is that it, Mother?

RILEY: Vera’s horrible. She’s abusive, mean and cheap. Why not leave? Why not just walk?

RILEY: If someone hurts me I leave, and believe me, I learned that a long time before I got to
New York.

RILEY: What’s that supposed to mean? You’re blaming him? Is that what we’re into now?

RILEY: But he’s not exactly around to defend himself, is he?

RILEY: Look here. Here’s the list. You do what you want with it.

RILEY: If you’re attempting some sort of meaningful analysis, perhaps we’d best define our
terms.

RILEY: The cornerstone of critical thinking is an agreed upon vocabulary.

RILEY: No. I’ve had my fun for the night.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 12

SCENE NINETEEN

RILEY: Hon, nobody knows less about men than me.

RILEY: Okay. Let me ask you one question first. Do you like your job?

RILEY: Cause you can kiss it goodbye. It never fails. I absolutely guarantee this thing will end
with you losing your job.

RILEY: You’re full of baloney, you know that. I’ve seen it many times.

RILEY: You told me you were going to quit anyway.

RILEY: You’ve got to tell somebody.

RILEY: What do you think you’re doing wrong then?

RILEY: Don’t you feel like you’re just a hair away from being hysterical every day?

RILEY: Okay, since you asked. There is only one thing you can do.

RILEY: I’m not going to say. You already know.

SCENE TWENTY

RILEY: What’s wrong? Why are you crying?

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

RILEY: Of course not! You are very talented!

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

RILEY: Well, if it makes you feel better, there is always next year.

RILEY: You’re right. Or, you could get hit by a bus.

RILEY: Maybe you could try something else next time.

RILEY: I don’t think you can do that with peanut butter.

RILEY: What about the accordion? Didn’t you used to play the accordion?

RILEY: I don’t blame you. Do you want to go have some ice cream?

RILEY: What happened to your hair?

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 13

SCENE TWENTY-ONE

RILEY: Somehow the thought of a stranger living in my house just seems weird. Doesn’t it?

RILEY: I don’t just mean for us, but for you too. Oh, but then I guess you do this all the time.

RILEY: That’s great. I’m happy for you, really.

RILEY: The fact is, I don’t need a live-in. This was my husband’s suggestion. I have raised two
kids on my own and now they’re off to college.

RILEY: They were both accepted at Harvard.

RILEY: Thanks. So anyway, it’ll just be Oliver and me at home. Although, I am getting going on
my own catering business.

RILEY: I don’t need to work for the money. And I’m not one of those women whose children
are leaving her, so she goes into interior design. Not that I wouldn’t be good at that.

RILEY: What I’m saying is that I don’t need a live-in.

RILEY: I would like you to understand that if I were to hire you, my life would probably change.
You would be this new element in the house.

RILEY: Let me show you where your room is.

SCENE TWENTY-TWO

RILEY: What in the world do you think you’re doing!

RILEY: I thought you weren’t supposed to touch that, though.

RILEY: Oh my God. Now you’ve ruined it.

RILEY: What are you going to do?

RILEY: I can’t be blamed for this; I have to get out of here!

RILEY: Sh. Someone’s coming.

RILEY: Hide! Quick!

RILEY: There’s not enough room for both of us in here!

RILEY: You’re the one who did it!

RILEY: You’d better make up something, quick!

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 14

SCENE TWENTY-THREE

RILEY: Excuse me, I was taking those.

RILEY: No. I put them down, but I was still getting them.

RILEY: 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.

RILEY: Look, I don’t want to be a trouble maker, but these other Pringles have ridges, and I
have trouble with ridges.

RILEY: What are you, a lawyer?

RILEY: Those are my Pringles.

RILEY: You are a pushy little thing, pushing your cart in your Calvin Klein outfit.

RILEY: 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.

RILEY: So, sue me.

RILEY: I won’t even dignify that. I’ve got the Pringles.

SCENE TWENTY-FOUR

RILEY: Don’t you believe in love?

RILEY: Maybe you haven’t met the right one.

RILEY: Well, maybe you didn’t get them enough of a chance.

RILEY: Oh come on. What’s the longest relationship you’ve ever had, how many hours did that
last?

RILEY: Not all people are like that.

RILEY: How can you live like that?

RILEY: Maybe you need to lower your expectations.

RILEY: Not necessarily. There are a lot of nice ones too.

RILEY: What do you have to lose by trying something different?

RILEY: Okay, but don’t blame me when you wind up old and alone.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 15

SCENE TWENTY-FIVE

RILEY: I said I’m sorry. Why are you being so mean about it?

RILEY: What is the big deal? You unload shifts on me all of the time.

RILEY: Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot.

RILEY: Well, if I told you, it would sound stupid.

RILEY: We talk, we read, we listen to Mozart sometimes.

RILEY: See, I shouldn’t have told you.

RILEY: It’s better than bowling.

RILEY: Maybe I’m growing up.

RILEY: Look, can you let it go? I’ve apologized already.

RILEY: Fine. I’ll close up tonight if it will make you happy.

SCENE TWENTY-SIX

RILEY: What are you doing?

RILEY: Am I interrupting?

RILEY: My name is Taylor. I’m the assistant. The one the publishers hired.

RILEY: No, not a spy, an assistant. I provide the same services as a secretary.

RILEY: Then I’ll have to find some way to occupy my time.

RILEY: Do you have writer’s block?

RILEY: What are these papers on the floor?

RILEY: Are you writing back to them?

RILEY: Did you eat all those donuts?

RILEY: Ha ha. They mentioned you were funny.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 16

SCENE TWENTY-SEVEN

RILEY: I need you to sign a sell ticket for a client of mine.

RILEY: Wait, wait. I got arrested last night.

RILEY: The police arrested me.

RILEY: Because of my involvement with the firm.

RILEY: Come on. You know what that means.

RILEY: No, no. They knew everything. They had tape recorded conversations. There was
nothing I could do.

RILEY: Look, the police are coming to raid the place in twenty minutes.

RILEY: They’re coming for everyone. They’re coming for everything.

RILEY: Come on. I just need a senior broker to sign the sell ticket so I can get my client Harry’s
money back. Please?

RILEY: Thank you. I’m so sorry.

SCENE TWENTY-EIGHT

RILEY: We’d like to get your fingerprints and a sample of your DNA if that’s alright with you.

RILEY: We’re merely trying to establish what happened at the party from your point of view.
That’s all.

RILEY: Well, maybe I can refresh your memory. What we do know is that your employee,
Christina Hayward was shot at the party before 9 p.m. and fell to her death from a fourth story
balcony. Does that ring a bell?

RILEY: Actually, you weren’t at the party and neither was Christina? Would you like to try
again?

RILEY: Oh, she left before you?

RILEY: So, you’re saying someone else did it?

RILEY: Why didn’t you call the police when you heard the gunshot?

RILEY: There is something else I wanted to ask you.

RILEY: Who was with you when you got home at 8:30?

RILEY: I’m going to go ahead and get your fingerprints now.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 17

SCENE TWENTY-NINE

RILEY: Your people have taken my mask. They have no right to do that. I never remove my
mask in public. Do you know the consequences of this?

RILEY: Well, I will be cursed.

RILEY: Think of how you would feel if you were made to take of this mask you were wearing.

RILEY: You want me to take medication? Then I’m afraid we must take this medication
together, because you are severely deluded.

RILEY: I am not deluded. I am Don Juan, and if you will not medicate me for these ten days, I
will prove it to you.

RILEY: Then I will take your medication and you may commit me for as long as you like. Do we
have an agreement?

RILEY: Do I have these ten days to tell you my story?

RILEY: Where would you like me to start?

RILEY: Oh, I can start earlier than that!

RILEY: I was born in Mexico. It became evident from a very early age that there was something
different about me.

© Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com Actor’s Nightmare pg. 18