Published 17 February 2026
No scene partner? Here are 7 options from free to paid, online to in-person. Find the right reader for your auditions and rehearsals.
"I can't find anyone to run lines with."
It's the universal actor complaint. Your friends are busy. Your partner reads like a hostage. Your actor network is auditioning for the same roles. And you've got a self-tape due in 36 hours.
The reader problem is real. But it's solvable - you just need more than one option.
Acting is reacting. Without a scene partner to respond to, you're not acting - you're reciting. The quality of your reader directly affects the quality of your performance.
Casting directors can tell when you taped in silence. The rhythm is off. The reactions feel manufactured. Your best work happens when you have something real to play off.
This guide covers every option, from free to paid, so you can always find something that works.
The classic option: trade reads with other actors.
Pros: Real human who understands the craft. Free. Can give useful feedback.
Cons: Scheduling nightmares. Their auditions conflict with yours. Life gets in the way.
How to make it work: Create a group chat with 5-10 actor friends. When you need a reader, message the group. The more people in your network, the better your odds of finding someone available.
Reality check: Great when it works. Often unavailable when you need them most - which is usually the same time they need a reader too.
Platforms like WeAudition, Facebook groups (ActorTrade), and Reddit's r/acting connect actors for remote reads.
Pros: Larger pool of available readers. Good for networking. Free.
Cons: Scheduling still required. Quality varies wildly. Sometimes comes with unsolicited feedback or acting advice you didn't ask for.
Where to find them: Search for "Self-Tape Readers" groups on Facebook. Join WeAudition. Check r/acting's weekly self-promotion threads.
Tip: Join our peer-to-peer WhatsApp community of readers, and post your reading requests and offer to read.
For more on working with new partners, see our post on building chemistry on stage or screen.
Professional readers available through WeAudition or specialized services.
Pros: Reliable. Experienced. Take direction well. Available when you need them.
Cons: Costs $1-10+ per session. Requires scheduling in advance.
Best for: Important auditions where reader quality matters and you have the budget.
Tip: Find a go-to paid reader and build a relationship. Once they know your style and preferences, sessions become more efficient. Some actors keep 2-3 paid readers on speed dial for different character types.
Apps that read the other character's lines, responding to your cues.
Pros: Available 24/7. Consistent. Multiple voice options for different characters. No scheduling required.
Cons: Less spontaneous than humans. Subscription or per-use cost.
Best for: Rehearsing new material, late-night sessions when no one's awake, and high-volume audition weeks when you need to move fast.
👉 Act on Cue's AI reader listens and responds on cue - ready in under a minute, with voice options for any character.
For a deeper look at how AI readers compare to human options, check out our guide to self-tape readers.
Your partner, roommate, family member, or friend who owes you a favor.
Pros: Physically present for better eye-line. Free. Usually available.
Cons: Reads may be flat. They might not understand why you need them to "just read it normally."
How to make it work:
Brief them on the scene context - who their character is, what's happening
Ask for neutral delivery, not "acting"
Give them permission to just read the words, not perform
Be patient - they're doing you a favor
Some actors find that non-actors make better readers than you'd expect once properly briefed. They don't try to act, which keeps the focus on you.
Scene study classes provide built-in partners and regular practice time.
Pros: Consistent schedule. Feedback from teachers and peers. Community of actors.
Cons: Expensive ($100+/month). Happens on a schedule, not when you need it. Can't use class time for specific auditions.
Best for: Ongoing skill development and networking. Not for urgent auditions - you can't bring your sides to scene study and expect a read.
Record the other lines yourself, then play them back while you perform.
Pros: Total control. Always available. Free.
Cons: No spontaneity. Timing feels mechanical. Your own voice as the scene partner is weird.
How to do it: Pre-record all the other character's lines with pauses for your lines. Play back while you perform.
Warning: This works for very early rehearsal stages when you're learning the material. Don't use self-recorded lines for final self-tape takes - the rhythm will be off, and you won't have anything real to react to.
Situation | Best Option |
|---|---|
Lead role, important audition | Paid reader or actor friend |
24-hour deadline, late night | AI reader |
Supporting role, paid | Friends or family |
Unpaid role | AI reader |
Rehearsing new material | AI reader or self-recording |
Building skills long-term | Acting class |
Emergency, nothing else works | Your acting network |
Don't wait until you have an audition due tomorrow to figure out your options. Build your reader network before you need it:
Create a group chat with 5-10 actor friends
Join 2-3 online reader communities
Find one reliable paid reader for important auditions
Have an AI reader app set up and ready
Brief a non-actor backup (partner, roommate) so they know what to expect
The goal: never self-tape in silence.
The reader problem is solvable. You just need multiple options and the flexibility to use different solutions for different situations.
Actor friends are great when they're available. Paid readers are worth it for big auditions. AI readers fill the gaps when humans aren't around. Non-actors work in a pinch.
Your reader network will still fail you sometimes - that's just how scheduling works. That's why having an AI reader as a backup matters. It's the one option that's always available, regardless of time zone, day of the week, or how last-minute the audition is.
Act on Cue gives you an AI scene reader that's always available - with voices for any character, ready in under a minute.
Break a leg!