New York 2016

Cold Read Script

Division T – 1
Females Age 21 & Up

Sarah’s best friend is overly excited about the possibility of a wedding, but Sarah hasn’t yet said
“yes” to the marriage proposal.

Kate: So tell me all about it. Have you set a date yet?

Sarah: You know what? I’ll take any other subject in the world for two hundred,
Alex.

Kate: Come on, you could get married in Tuscany, walk down the aisle to Frank
Sinatra. Why don’t you want to talk about this?

Sarah: Because I haven’t made up my mind about the yes or no part, so I don’t
want to start fantasizing about dresses and flowers or Italy until I do.
Please change the subject.

Kate: Okay…but I think the bridesmaids should be able to pick out their own dresses.

Sarah: Did you ever see on “All in the Family” when Edith would be yapping
about something and Archie would pretend to make a noose and hang
himself or shoot himself in the head?

Kate: Yeah?

Sarah: I don’t know…something about this moment just made me think of that.
 New York 2016
Cold Read Script

Division T – 1
Females Age 21 & Up

Kate is a regular on a daytime drama who has heard rumors there might be a big change
coming for her character. Recommended for more mature contestants.

Ellie: So I heard through the rumor mill there are changes coming to your show.

Kate: Yeah, I’ve heard that, too. I know this is just a soap, but it is steady
work and it’s really good money. Sometimes I even get recognized.
Yesterday a woman at Starbucks called me a worthless tramp.

Ellie: Are you sure that wasn’t someone from high school?

Kate: Ha, ha. Really, Ellie, I’m getting too old for this. If they kill off my
character, I’m seriously thinking about giving up acting and finding
another career.

Ellie: Like what?

Kate: I don’t know. There are lots of things I could do. You don’t work as
long as I have as an actor without learning all sorts of job skills.

Ellie: Okay, name three.

Kate: Fencing, horseback riding and…mime. Oh, god…I’m going to starve!

 New York 2016
Cold Read Script

Division T – 2
Females Age 18-20

Chrissie is being overly nice to Jenna, who is going to be a judge in the pageant Chrissie has
entered.

Emily: Hey, Jess. Your aunt dropped off her old wedding dress to be altered. I
was just starting to dig into it.

Jessica: Don’t dig. Slice, kick, maim, destroy!

Emily: What?

Jessica: Give it to a mad pack of wolves, douse it with lighter fluid and turn it
into ash…I cannot wear that dress.

Emily: Yeah, I know. It is a little Old World.

Jessica: Old World? Have you actually looked at it? It’s got pants.

Emily: I missed that. So, I’ll just remove the pants.

Jessica: Oh, it’s every girl’s dream to hear the woman altering her wedding
dress say, “I’ll just remove the pants.”

Emily: I’m sure once I alter it a little…

Jessica: No, don’t alter it. Have an accident. Leave a warm iron on it, spill a vat
of acid on it, run your car over it. I am not getting married in that
dress.
 New York 2016
Cold Read Script

Division T – 3
Females Age 16 - 17

Carmen is involved with a school project and has volunteered her mother to help.

Mom: Are you okay, Carmen? You look a little upset.

Carmen: I have to perform Act Five of Romeo And Juliet with Amy, Kristen and
Giselle. Giselle has appointed herself as director.

Mom: Really? What part are you playing?

Carmen: I don‘t know yet. She’s mulling over the screen tests right now. We’ll
find out tomorrow.

Mom: Screen tests? For a high school project?

Carmen: Yeah. 24 takes. Oh, and I told Giselle that you would make the
costumes so she wants to have a concept meeting with you tomorrow
at three.

Mom: What?

Carmen: Yeah, she needs a résumé and samples of your previous work and,
uh, referrals.

Mom: And my hand to stamp?

Carmen: Well, if you think that will set you apart from the other
applicants…yes.
 New York 2016
Cold Read Script

Division T – 4
Females Age 13-15

Madison doesn’t realize that being a TV news person actually involves work.

Mom: Hey, look at you. Up early for school and looking very pretty, if I may say
so.

Madison: Mom, I’m so excited. Today they’re holding auditions for the new
show at school. I can’t wait.

Mom: That’s nice, honey. I didn’t know you were interested in journalism.

Madison: Journalism? It’s the school TV news. Just give me time and I’ll be as
professional as…oh…you know, anyone on Today or Good Morning
America.

Mom: Yes, of course you will. But Madison, you do know you have to do research
and write your own stories, don’t you?

Madison: It’s a small price to pay for having one’s face in every classroom every
Wednesday morning. And I know just what to wear…

Mom: Madison, there’s more to journalism than just a smart outfit.

Madison: Smart…yes. Good idea. So you think I should probably wear

glasses…
 New York 2016
Cold Read Script

Division T – 5
Females 9-12

Izzy reminds her father that it is important to “practice what you preach.”

Dad: Hey, Izzy. Sorry I was so late getting home.

Izzy: That’s okay, Dad. Mrs. Wilson and I had a good time. So, what
happened last night?

Dad: Well…some guy got out of hand at the party, so I did what I thought was
right…

Izzy: You punched his lights out, didn’t you?

Dad: I know you’re going to find this hard to believe…but, yeah, your father
messed up. I shouldn’t have done what I did.

Izzy: Oh, Dad, don’t worry about it. I do it all the time. So, I’m going to tell
you the same thing you always tell me.

Dad: Yeah? What’s that?

Izzy: “Young lady, you go up there right now and apologize!”

Dad: You’re right. You’re tough, but you’re right. Thanks, Izzy, for reminding me.

Izzy: You’re welcome. That’s why you pay me the big allowance. Which, if I
remember correctly, is today.
 New York 2016
Cold Read Script

Division T – 6
Males Age 21 & Over

Adam has just started a business selling his wood designs, and his friend Christine is his first
customer

Christine: Adam, I never knew you were so creative.

Adam: Well, I’m just getting started. It’s my new line of one-of-a-kind
mailboxes.

Christine: Wow. They look very…original.

Adam: And whimsical. They say to the world, “I’ll take my mail with a
smile.”

Christine: Yes, they do say that.

Adam: And since you’re my first customer, with the purchase of a mailbox,
I’ll throw in a carved-duck doorstop and a garlic peeler.

Christine: But, I’ll have to check with my HOA.

Adam: Well, just remind them that whimsy goes with everything.

Christine: I promise, Adam, just as soon as…wait, is that one of the Kardashians?

Adam: Yes, it is. I’m a big fan and her big mouth is perfect for shoving mail
in.
 New York 2016
Cold Read Script

Division T – 6
Males Age 21 & Over

Eric tells a friend about the day he met the woman of his dreams.

Angie: Do you remember how you met your wife? It was at the café, right?

Eric: Yes, of course. It was at lunch, we were very busy, completely

packed, and this person comes tearing into the place in a frenzy,
begging for coffee. I was with a customer, so I told her to wait her
turn.

Angie: She sounds delightful.

Eric: She follows me around, talking a mile a minute about who knows
what. So, finally I tell her she’s being annoying and to please sit
down.

Angie: I’ll bet she took that very well.

Eric: She asked me what my birthday was. I told her and she opened up
the newspaper to the horoscope page, wrote something down, tore
it out and handed it to me.

Angie: Seriously? She sounds like a crazy person.

Eric: I’m looking at this piece of paper in my hand, and under Scorpio,
she had written “You will meet an annoying woman today. Give her
coffee and she’ll go away.”

Angie: And…?

Eric: I gave her coffee.

 New York 2016
Cold Read Script

Division T – 7
Males Age 18-20

After sharing an apartment with his longtime friend when they went to college, Ethan decided to
get his own place. But, he’s discovered living alone isn’t like he thought it would be.

Anne: Hey, how’s your new apartment?

Ethan: It’s terrific! Really. I’m having a ball.

Anne: Great! When can I see it?

Ethan: Oh, well, it’s just a regular space. I mean…well, it’s great.

Anne: You certainly don’t sound very enthusiastic. I thought you wanted to live by
yourself.

Ethan: I did. I do. I thought it would be great. I figured I’d have time alone with
my thoughts. But it turns out I don’t have as many thoughts as you’d
think.
Anne:
So, why don’t you talk to Adam about moving back?
Ethan:
Are you kidding? There’s no way he’d take me back. We’ve known each
other since the 1st grade and he was very hurt when I said I decided to
live on my own.
Anne:
I think he would definitely take you back.
Ethan:
No, I don’t think so. I have to accept the fact that we’re just friends now.
We’re not roommates anymore. I’ve seen what he’s done since I moved
out. He decorated! He’s happy. He’s moved on.
 New York 2016
Cold Read Script

Division T – 8
Males 13 - 17

Andrew wants to impress a new girl at school with a poem, but he wants his sister to write it for
him.

Mom: So, tell me about this girl you were talking to Amy about.

Andrew: Mom, I’ve never met a girl like Emma.

Mom: I think I’ve heard that before.

Andrew: No, it’s different this time, Mom. Emma is really classy. She was
raised in London, she writes poetry, and she even speaks three
languages.

Mom: So, you want to impress this new girl with a poem? But you want your sister
Amy to write it for you?

Andrew: Yeah, but not just any poem, Mom. A neo-symbolist poem. That’s her
favorite brand.

Mom: Neo-symbolist, huh. Do you know what that means?

Andrew: Sure, it’s like…uh, a poem about the character Neo from The Matrix
and uh, his symbols.

Mom: Well, Andy, if you’re really going to develop a relationship with this girl, you
need to be yourself.

Andrew: Uh, sure. But I’m just using this poem to get her to talk to me. Then I’ll
be myself.
 New York 2016
Cold Read Script

Division T – 9
Males Age 9 - 12

Daniel hates math and doesn’t understand why he needs to study it.

Dad: Hey, Sport, have you finished your homework?

Daniel: Dad, I’m going crazy. Math is boring – and I’m not doing it!

Dad: Yeah, well, who told you being bored is an excuse for quitting?

Daniel: I’m a kid, and I’m supposed to be having fun. Grandma told me these
are the best years of my life.

Dad: Well, she lied. You think you’re bored now? Oh, and I should also tell you,
living with your parents for the rest of your life is not an option.

Daniel: I got it, Dad. But you need to understand I hate math.

Dad: Sorry, kiddo, but you cannot fail math.

Daniel: Dad, I don’t need it. When am I ever going to use it?

Dad: Well, when your kid is failing math, and you’ve got to help him.

Daniel: Well that settles it. If I have to know math, then I’m never having kids.
 New York 2016
TV Scene Script

Division T – 10
Males/Females Ages 4-8

Male or Female: Oliver/Olivia is telling Dad about the first day at school.

Dad: Hey, Kiddo. How was school today?

Oliver/Olivia: Well, we sang “Wheels on the Bus,” and then I hid in the closet.

Dad: Why did you do that??

Oliver/Olivia: Because I didn’t think I liked school. But Steve came and got me,
and we painted pictures.

Dad: Who’s Steve?

Oliver/Olivia: Our teacher. His real name is Mr. Olson, but they told us to call him
Steve.

Dad: Oh, that’s…very progressive. Did you at least have recess?

Oliver/Olivia: No, we have anger management workshop instead. I don’t know

exactly what it is, but we roll around on the floor and yell a lot. Then
we get carrot sticks and milk.
 New York 2016
TV Scene Script

Division T – 10
Males/Females Ages 4-8

Male or Female: Michael/Madison is trying to understand why his/her parents are unhappy and
not speaking to each other.

Dad: Madison, your Mom and I are kind of in a fight right now, so we
have to spend some time apart.

Michael/ Madison: What’s wrong, Daddy? Why are you mad at each other?

Dad: You know how sometimes you and your brother fight, and you
don’t talk to each other for a while?

Michael/ Madison: Uh-huh.

Dad: Well, grown-ups fight too, sometimes.

Michael/ Madison: I fight with Jeffrey sometimes because he’s mean to me. Was
Mom mean to you?

Dad: She was a little mean to me, and I don’t like it any more than you
do.

Michael/ Madison: So that means Mom has to stay in her room ‘til she says she’s
sorry, doesn’t she?
 New York 2016
TV Scene Script

Division T – 10
Males/Females Ages 4-8

Male or Female: Jacob/Jessica has strict requirements when Dad serves breakfast.

Dad: Here you go, kiddo. Low fat, whole wheat blueberry waffles.

Jacob/Jessica: Are there 12?

Dad: 12 what?

Jacob/Jessica: Blueberries. I can only have 12 blueberries for breakfast.

Dad: Or what?

Jacob/Jessica: What do you mean “or what”?

Dad: What happens if you eat more than 12 blueberries?

Jacob/Jessica: Really, Dad. In many cultures and countries the number 13 is unlucky.
Hand me the plate, please.

Dad: Okay, but only if you don’t count.

Jacob/Jessica: Alright. I promise not to count the blueberries if I can tell everyone my
dad served me waffles from his Hello Kitty waffle iron.
 New York 2016
TV Scene Script

Division T – 10
Males/Females Ages 4-8

Male or Female: Alex is invited to his/her friend’s birthday party and has to decide on a gift.

Dad: Hey, Alex, what do you want to get Chris for a birthday present?

Alex: I don’t know. He likes sports , so maybe a soccer ball. But, he also
likes to swim. So, maybe a raft.

Dad: How much allowance do you have left?

Alex: About 75 cents, but I can do some extra jobs to make more, Right?

Dad: The party is too soon. How about I loan you some money?.

Alex: OK. And, I’ll work extra hard and extra jobs to pay you back.

Dad: This will be a good lesson about life, too.

Alex: Oh, I get it. I’m learning that I’ll be working the rest of my life.