Scenes for Teens: 50 Original Comedy and Drama Scenes for Teenage Actors

by Mike Kimmel, Kevin Sorbo (Foreword)

Scenes for Teens is meant to help simplify the acting and auditioning process for young actors. Created by an experienced entertainer with Hollywood and Broadway credits, these fifty original comedy and drama scripts are ideal for actor training. The scenes are written for two actors, are gender-neutral, and intentionally exclude costumes, props, entrances, exits, complicated stage directions, and additional characters. In this way, Scenes for Teens is specifically designed to help young performers practice dialogue in a conversational and realistic manner. This allows them to focus on the one-on-one relationship.With an inspiring foreword by Kevin Sorbo - and a clear introduction to the art and business of professional acting by the author - Scenes for Teens is an effective teaching tool for young actors, their parents, and acting coaches.

142 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2014

About the author

Mike Kimmel is an experienced film, TV, stage, and commercial actor. He has lived and worked in both New York and Los Angeles. He appeared regularly as a sketch comedy performer on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for eleven years. He has worked with directors Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Townsend, Christopher Cain, Thomas Carter, and David Solomon among many others.

Reviews

[Danny D · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fifteen-year-old daughter liked it a lot. Dad got to read the scenes out loud with her to help practice for drama class. Dad liked that a lot! Wonder book for interactive work with the young actor in your family.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm guessing that it's not easy to write material for this age group. Nevertheless, the author pulls it off remarkably well. Sprinkled throughout the collection of 2-character audition pieces are cleverly designed ethical questions and subtle personal challenges for teen actors. This is a nice touch, and seems to explain (to me, anyway) why an actor of Kevin Sorbo's caliber and reputation would choose to be involved with a book like this for younger actors.

I also like the physical design of this book. It's clean and uncluttered, making it easy for acting students to hold the book open in one hand while reading along and practicing with a scene partner until they are off-book. These are all little touches of professionalism that working actors will understand and appreciate. Well done.

[Jennifer Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this collection very much, and I believe that teenagers interested in the acting profession will like it very much too. My favorite aspect of the book is that the dialogues all feel very real, grounded and authentic. There's no over the top, screaming, high drama scenes here, so if you're looking for that stuff, then look elsewhere. But these scenes are clean and real with good pacing that is well suited for acting class practice, rehearsals and scene study.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to hone their acting skills or simply enjoy engaging dialogue that feels authentic and relatable. The dialogue in this book is crafted in a casual, conversational style tailored for teens. It flows naturally and is incredibly easy to memorize, making it ideal for audition practice. Our kids enjoyed exploring the different scenes!

[Joe Millye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written workbook for teenage actors. The material is clean and well thought out. (Much of the scene material available for actors in this age group is too short.

[Linda Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection fulfills a strong need for teenage actors and their drama school coaches. Several scenes touch upon social responsibility too. Excellent material for this age group (and younger).

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's clever and squeaky-clean. A good choice for teens and probably younger kids too. There's no questionable material that parents need to be concerned about.

[Audrey McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tool for drama class practice. I have used this book in the classroom for years.

[Takisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids and teenagers are going to love it. Parents and teachers will love the clean language.

[Albert Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong choices here for teen actors. My teenager found the script Her[ping the Homeless especially strong and impactful.