17 Dramatic Two Person Scripts

17 Dramatic Plays Scripts for Two Actors are scripted scenes for acting study, demo reels or film and video content.

Want more two-hander scripts? Visit our 33 Acting Scripts for Two Actors – where you will find dramatic works you may use for scene study.

What exactly is a two-hander script?

A two-hander script is any script, whether comedy or dramatic, that has only two characters.

• Here are five solid reasons why they’re great for developing your craft:

1. Interplay

Since the nature of a two-hander script only requires two people, there is a more intimate level of connection that may transpire. Whether it’s emotional, intellectual, or physical, there is no where for either character to hide.  This raises the dramatic/comedic conflict of the scene and stresses the interplay between both roles.

2. Hearing Skills

When you have your full attention on the other person, your hearing skills enhance. The slightest nuance gets detected on your hearing radar and you react.

3. Power Shift

In a two-hander, the power dynamic often shifts constantly.  When you look at a scene from the play Killing You, you witness the power dynamic between the killer and the victim in real time as it shifts back and forth between them throughout the course of the script. This constant tug-of-war can be fascinating for actors to explore.

4. Pacing and Timing

When you’re performing in a two-hander, there’s no other character to “fill space” or add to the rhythm. Every pause, every line delivery, and every beat counts. It’s a fantastic exercise in refining pacing and timing, as the script’s natural flow will often be driven entirely by how well the actors manage these elements.

5. Collaboration

You’re forced to be vulnerable and open, constantly working together to create a believable world. This is a great way to cultivate strong collaboration skills, which are critical in both ensemble work and any professional acting environment. The success of a two-hander relies on that deep connection between the two performers.

The Visitant

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Lara, Rick
• Duration: 15 Minute Play Script
• Description: Rick finally confronts a strange man who has been wandering around their property, but is dumbfounded by the spooky encounter.
• Scene Snippet: “All week you’ve been going on non-stop about this strange man on our property, and here’s your chance to find out, and you blow it.” ~Lara
• [Read Scene]

Mad to the Core

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Phebe, Dean
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Gram secretly reveals humility and honesty when it comes to his relationship with his two sons.
• Scene Snippet: “Yeah, I’m upset and all, but this has been brewin’ for a while now…I didn’t just make the decision, it was decided a while ago.” ~Phebe
• [Read Scene]

Sleepless Nights

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Carlotta, Brenda
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Carlotta regrets not having pursued her music career the way in which she envisions she could have.
• Scene Snippet: “I still can’t help but wonder how life would have been, had I not walked away from music, I was close to even being offered a record deal.” ~Carlotta
• [Read Scene]

A Decent Man

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Father Del Henney, Fabian
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Fabian talks to a priest in order to make sense out of his angry emotions.
• Scene Snippet: “I’m always undergoing temptation, on various things…don’t you think I wouldn’t love anything more than to get back in your car with you, drive over to those people you talk about and take matters into our own hands?” ~Father Del Henney
• [Read Scene]

Act of Pure Love

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Saul, Nicki
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Saul shows up to Nicki’s house to prove how much in love with her he is.
• Scene Snippet: “Afraid my Grandma will blow your head off?” ~Nicki
• [Read Scene]

Better Version of Jenny

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Jenny, Olga
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Jenny can’t seem to get her life together because of her additions.
• Scene Snippet: “I thought I’d be further along in my career by now. I thought I’d be engaged. I thought I’d have enough money to put down on a house.” ~Jenny
• [Read Scene]

All That Matters Most

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Rosa, Clyde
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Clyde owns up to the fact that his finances are not enough to take care of his family.
• Scene Snippet: “Rosa, listen, I had a really long, miserable day and I just want to make myself a sandwich in peace, sit in front of the television and zone out for a bit, is that so wrong?” ~Clyde
• [Read Scene]

Buck’s Last Straw

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Buck, Rick
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Buck shows up at Rick’s house bruised by his wife and confused about his marriage and career.
• Scene Snippet: “…But I can’t walk away…she’s the only thing that keeps me going.” ~Buck
• [Read Scene]

Along With You

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Gerard, Tilly
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Tilly is quietly leaving town but Gerard notices and desires to go with her.
• Scene Snippet: “When someone sees that you have a boxing stance and you mean business, they’re think twice about harming you.” ~Tilly
• [Read Scene]

A Gaze Apart

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Colton, Lacey
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Colton offers a proposition top Lacey and in exchange her career will flourish.
• Scene Snippet: “Sometimes the way we perceive ourselves isn’t how the world perceives us.” ~Colton
• [Read Scene]

Under The Impression

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Roland, Terry
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Roland shows up at a publisher’s office only to find out that they don’t wish to publish his novel.
• Scene Snippet: “I came here because I was under the impression that you were interested in my novel.” ~Roland
• [Read Scene]

Paris Balcony

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Camille, Artaud
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Camille isn’t looking for a serious relationship, but Artaud is in love with her.
• Scene Snippet: “You can never take my money. It’s one thing for me to give–to offer a taste of my money, but to take my money, you would have to wrestle me to the end of the earth.” ~Camille
• [Read Scene]

No Harm No Foul

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Cuddy, Dean
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Cuddy and Dean reminisce over the death of their dearest friend.
• Scene Snippet: “Don’t even know why he chose me to be his friend, he could have been friends with anybody, but he chose me, and you. He chose us, Dean, a man as good as him and we are the only ones sittin’ here for ’em.” ~Cuddy
• [Read Scene]

Cracks in Stone

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: August, Bethany
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: August questions his wife with regards to whether or not their daughter is really his.
• Scene Snippet: “My question, my question is that, do you have something you are keeping inside yourself that you wish to confess to me Beth?” ~August
• [Read Scene]

Brush of Wind

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Lucretia, Mullen
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Mullen is in pursuit of Lucretia and will stop at nothing to be with her.
• Scene Snippet: “When was… when was the last time you’ve made love?” ~Mullen
• [Read Scene]

Coat of Thieves

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Gabriella, Linus
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Gabriella refuses to think that Linus has fallen out of love with her.
• Scene Snippet: “You made me trust in your love for me, so I do not believe what you wrote to me.” ~Gabriella
• [Read Scene]

Sugarland

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Letty, Matias
• Duration: 10 Minute Play Script
• Description: Matias has been released from jail and stumbles upon an old flame named Letty.
• Scene Snippet: “I always felt like, that ya had potential in ya..to be somethin’ more than how we grew up like.” ~Letty
• [Read Scene]