Mrs. Robinson, You Are Trying to Seduce Me

Written by Buck Henry, this modern-classic comedy-drama duologue from the award-winning film The Graduate captures a masterclass in psychological manipulation. When Mrs. Robinson lures a hesitant Benjamin back to her house under false pretenses, an agonizingly awkward confrontation unfolds between the two. The scene brims with unspoken tension as the young graduate slowly realizes his older companion's true, predatory intentions.

Mrs. Robinson is a poised, upper-class woman in her forties who wields stillness and sharp intellect like a weapon. Projecting the energy of a classic femme fatale, she masks her calculating pursuit behind casual drinks, brief confessions, and controlled silences. In contrast, twenty-one-year-old Ben is an earnest, vulnerable everyman paralyzed by propriety and sudden panic. His desperate desire to remain a polite family friend clashes directly with his instinct to flee, creating a hilarious yet intense portrait of youthful fluster.

This scene offers exceptional material for auditions because it showcases how much two performers can accomplish through subtext alone. Rather than shouting or overt melodrama, the dramatic tension arises from what the characters choose not to say until the climactic revelation. Audition panels can readily evaluate an actor's listening ability, rhythmic timing, and comfort with pregnant pauses. It provides both roles with distinct physical and emotional arcs that shift the power dynamic continuously over three minutes.

This duologue is ideally suited for drama school auditions, agent showcases, self-tape auditions, and general scene study practice. It offers prime material for actors exploring Femme Fatale, Upper Class, Intense, Vulnerable, or relatable Everyman casting types. Performers who excel at naturalistic comedy-drama and psychological status play will find this exchange especially rewarding.

Play the reality of the situation completely straight without tipping into parody, as the comedy emerges naturally from genuine discomfort. For the actor playing Mrs. Robinson, embrace physical relaxation and steady eye contact, allowing your pauses to unnerve your partner and force them to fill the room with nervous chatter. If you are playing Ben, focus on the physical tension of trying to hold your ground while your body yearns to escape. Let the rhythm reflect a game of cat and mouse, ensuring every verbal dodge feels like a frantic survival tactic.