October 5, 2026 · daily scene
The Midnight Countdown
Given circumstances
- Character
- Party Host
- Setting
- Your apartment balcony, city lights below, fireworks starting in the distance, 11:58 p.m.
- The moment before
- Everyone started the countdown inside. You came out here to check your phone one last time.
- Scene partner
- Your friend, standing in the doorway behind you, party noise spilling out
Direction
Start like you're fine being alone. End admitting you're not.
Script
FRIENDYou're missing the countdown.
I know. I just needed some air.
FRIENDThey're not coming.
(beat)
I know that too. I've known since ten o'clock when they stopped answering.
I told everyone inside they were stuck at work. I even poured them a drink and put it on the table like they were about to walk in.
I can't go back in there at midnight and toast alone.
Written for Act It Up. Free to rehearse and perform for practice, classes and self-tapes.
Record this scene with a teleprompter and a scene partner who reads the other lines.
Perform it in Act It Up Or perform it in your browser