Skip to content
    Tv
    duologue
    drama

    Michael's Fertility News

    from This City Is Ours

    Written by Stephen Butchard

    This City Is Ours

    2-3 min · 1 character · Any gender · 30s-40s

    A vulnerable, supportive, loving, determined Michael & Diana's duologue from "This City Is Ours" by Stephen Butchard. Genre: drama.

    Start a free 7-day trial — 5 downloads a day, unlimited when Pro begins

    Rehearse this scene
    Rehearse on your terms

    Choose your role and voices for the other characters. Run the scene at your own pace.

    Scene PreviewExcerpt — subscribe to read full scene

    MICHAEL

    So do you want the bad news or the bad news?... It’s me... Not only do I have a low sperm count; the fellas I am firing can’t swim. Sorry.

    DIANA

    Do you want to hear the good news? I don’t care.

    MICHAEL

    Babe, you should care.

    DIANA

    There are other ways of us getting pregnant.

    MICHAEL

    ...No. No, you can’t do that, you don’t need to do that...…

    End of preview. Continue with Pro below.

    7 days freeYour next rehearsal starts here

    Found your next scene? Make it yours.

    Start your free trial and read Michael's Fertility News in full, with access to 8,000+ monologues and scenes to explore next.

    • Read the full scene and explore the library
    • Download your script in a clean, printable format
    • Take it into rehearsal with the Script Reader
    Casting Types
    Get Feedback
    Coming Soon

    Want expert coaching on this scene?

    Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.

    Find a Coach

    Need representation?

    Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.

    Scene Notes & Audition Tips

    5 sections
    About This Scene

    Written by Stephen Butchard for the contemporary television drama This City Is Ours, this two-person scene captures an intimate conversation between partners facing unexpected news. Michael shares challenging medical results regarding his fertility with Diana, only for the discussion to pivot from personal vulnerability to immediate professional ambition. Running between two and three minutes, the piece balances quiet domestic solidarity with the pressing demands of outside obligations.

    Character Analysis

    Michael carries a bruised sense of pride and palpable guilt, yet his deep devotion to his partner remains at the forefront of his actions. Even as he struggles to absorb his diagnosis, his focus must quickly adapt to high-stakes career opportunities that pull his attention away. Diana provides steady, loving resolve, refusing to let him shoulder the burden alone and immediately reframing the situation as a shared journey. Her calm strength and practical optimism anchor the exchange, demonstrating profound emotional maturity and unwavering support.

    Why This Works for Auditions

    Casting directors frequently look for scenes that demonstrate active listening and adult emotional nuance without resorting to shouting or exaggerated melodrama. This piece offers both performers substantial subtext, requiring them to communicate deep affection, mutual respect, and internal conflict through subtle behavioral choices. The narrative transition from fragile intimacy to sudden work-related urgency also allows actors to showcase dynamic range, focus, and realistic pacing within a brief window.

    Best Suited For

    This material is ideal for actors in their thirties and forties seeking realistic, contemporary scene work for general audition use. It serves as an excellent showcase for performers targeting Leading Man, Leading Lady, Romantic Lead, and complex Dramatic casting profiles.

    Performance Tips

    Keep the energy intimate and grounded, allowing the pauses and physical connection across the table to carry the weight of the confession. Avoid playing the vulnerability as broad defeat, choosing instead to focus on the deep trust between the characters and the sudden change in focus when career stakes interrupt the moment. Maintain eye contact and stay responsive to your partner so the dialogue feels organically discovered rather than rehearsed.

    No ratings yet
    Sign in to rate