At Least She Wants You

Written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, this contemporary dramatic duologue from Once Upon a Time captures an emotionally charged confrontation between twenty-eight-year-old Anna and ten-year-old Henry. As Henry insists that Anna is destined to save everyone and break a magical curse, Anna attempts to ground the conversation in reality while confronting the painful truth behind giving him up for adoption.

Anna presents a guarded, no-nonsense exterior built to protect herself from past abandonment and the vulnerability of being an outsider. Beneath her skepticism lies deep guilt and maternal pain, which softens her defenses whenever Henry sees directly into her heart. Henry is earnest, perceptive, and relentless in his belief, challenging Anna not just with fantastical claims, but with emotional truths she cannot easily deflect.

This scene is an outstanding choice for an actor because it provides an immediate emotional shift from defensive cynicism to heartbreaking vulnerability. Casting directors get to see dynamic range within a two-minute window, showcasing how a performer handles layered subtext without becoming melodrama. It balances grounded realism with high-stakes dramatic tension, making it memorable in self-tapes and agent showcases.

This piece is best suited for actresses aged twenty-five to thirty-five who naturally fit Leading Lady, Tough, Outsider, or Everyman casting categories. It serves as an exceptional showcase piece for general audition practice, representation meetings, and dramatic self-tape submissions that require both grit and sensitivity.

Resist the temptation to treat the fantasy elements lightly, and instead play the scene through the very real trauma of Anna's past and her struggle with maternal guilt. Let your physical demeanor reflect her defensive shield, allowing the sudden crack in her composure to happen involuntarily before she scrambles to pull herself back together. Keep your vocal delivery grounded and direct so that the emotional revelations land with genuine weight.