10-Minute Play Scripts: Perfect Pieces for Auditions

Discover the best 10-minute play scripts for auditions — complete with real examples, practice scenes, and expert tips to help you stand out and perform with confidence.

10-Minute Play Scripts — Perfect Pieces for Auditions

You’ve got an audition coming up. You’re scrolling through script websites, flipping through old playbooks, thinking, “I just need something short that shows what I can do.”
But every script you find feels too long, too dull, or too overused. You want something that fits your energy — a piece that grabs attention fast and lets you show your range without dragging on for half an hour.

That’s exactly where 10-minute play scripts come in. They’re short, sharp, and full of opportunity. In just a few pages, you can show a complete emotional journey — and prove you can build and sustain a character quickly.

I’ve helped actors and students choose audition pieces for years, and one of the most consistent bits of advice I give is this: If you can master a 10-minute play, you can master almost anything.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly why 10-minute plays work so well for auditions, how to choose the right one for you, and discover a list of real examples you can use or practise with right away.

1. What Are 10-Minute Plays (and Why They Work for Auditions)

A 10-minute play is exactly what it sounds like — a complete story told in around ten minutes of stage time. Think of it as the short film of the theatre world: brief, but packed with character, tension, and meaning.

Most 10-minute plays run between 8–12 pages of dialogue and involve one or two characters. The best ones deliver a clear setup, conflict, and resolution — all in the time it takes to finish a cup of coffee.

Why They’re Gold for Auditions

• They get to the point. You jump straight into conflict, grabbing attention fast.
• They showcase range. Even short scripts carry emotional highs and lows.
• They’re memorable. They feel like full stories, not just snippets.
• They’re flexible. Perform solo, with a partner, or trim as needed.
• They’re accessible. Many are free to download or read online.

If a single monologue doesn’t give you enough to work with, a 10-minute play lets you display far more range and character development.

2. How to Choose the Right 10-Minute Script for Your Audition

Not every short play fits every actor. The goal is to pick one that highlights your strengths naturally and feels authentic.

Quick Checklist

1. Know your casting type.
   Choose something that fits your energy but still lets you surprise the audience.
   Example: Try Sure Thing if you’re witty, or Ferris Wheel if you lean toward emotion.
2. Match the tone to the audition.
   Align the play’s tone with the production you’re auditioning for.
3. Look for emotional movement.
   Pick a script where the character changes by the end.
4. Check time limits.
   Be ready to perform a shorter cut (3–5 minutes) if needed.
5. Choose something fresh.
   Avoid overused scripts unless you can bring a new spin.
6. Read it aloud.
   You’ll instantly hear whether it suits your rhythm and voice.

3. Top Recommended 10-Minute Play Scripts for Auditions

Here’s a curated mix of 10-minute plays that work brilliantly for auditions:

4. Short Scripts You Can Practise Right Now

Here are a few short, ready-to-use scenes for practice or warm-up.

🎬 The Coffee Line (Comedy)

Two strangers’ bond over their bad luck in a café queue.

ALEX: Five minutes for a flat white. Is this coffee or fine art?
JAMIE: Maybe they’re growing the beans out back.

✅ Practise timing, tone, and chemistry.

🎭 After the Call (Drama)

One friend comfort another after devastating news.

CASEY: What do you say when the ground gives way?
RILEY: You start by breathing.

✅ Great for stillness and emotional connection.

🎤 The Audition (Meta-Comedy)

A performer’s monologue goes hilariously wrong.

DIRECTOR: We’ve already got three Hamlets today.
SAM: Then I’ll be… Not-Hamlet?

✅ Perfect for comic recovery and improvisation.

5. Tips to Nail Your 10-Minute Audition Performance

• Know the story, not just your lines.
  Understand what your character wants and how they change.
• Find the turning point.
  Build the performance around the script’s main shift.
• Start strong.
  Grab attention in the first 30 seconds.
• Control your pacing.
  Don’t rush; let silence work for you.
• Listen and react.
  Real responses make the scene feel alive.
• Keep staging simple.
  Focus on clarity, not props.
• Practice shorter cuts.
  Be ready for 3–5-minute auditions.
• Record yourself.
  Reviewing your performance sharpens self-awareness.

6. Where to Find More 10-Minute Plays Online

Explore these reliable sites for short scripts:

• Theatrefolk – Great for schools and community theatre.
• New Play Exchange – Thousands of contemporary short plays.
• Playscripts, Inc. – Professional-quality festival pieces.
• Lazy Bee Scripts – UK comedies and light dramas.
• Stageplays.com – Global catalogue of short works.
• Project Gutenberg – Free, public-domain classics.
• Drama Notebook – Excellent for youth performers.

7. Final Thoughts: Why Short Plays Make Big Impressions

A 10-minute play might seem small, but it demands focus, emotion, and storytelling precision. Perform it well, and you’ll leave a stronger impression than a long monologue ever could.

Short scripts teach timing, truth, and presence — three things every great actor masters.
So next time you’ve only got a few minutes to impress, smile.
You’ve got exactly what you need.

Conclusion: Your Next Step

Now that you know where to find, choose, and perform 10-minute play scripts, the next step is simple — pick one and start rehearsing.

Print it out, run it with a friend, and see what ten minutes of focus can do.
Because great performances don’t need hours — they just need the right ten minutes.

✅ Try this today:
Browse free scripts at Theatrefolk or New Play Exchange, and start practising your next audition piece.