The October’s People’s Choice goes to…

The people have spoken… The October People’s Choice Award goes to Christian Wilburn for his short play, Ivan the Terrible Actor, presented as a staged reading at Monday Night PlayGround on October 18th at Freight & Salvage in Berkeley and simulcast online. Congratulations, Christian!

Courtesy of Christian, we’re pleased to share the first two pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!

IVAN THE TERRIBLE ACTOR
by Christian Wilburn

Ivan The Terrible–Man—50s or 60s but could be played by a younger
person in a beard—Russian—The ghost of the former tyrannical ruler
of Russia, who isn’t so tyrannical anymore.
Andy—Any gender—late twenties early thirties–Any race—Up and
coming director who might be a little to accommodating for their
own good.
Taylor—Any gender—thirties—White—Classically trained actor on the
edge of snapping do the unprofessionalism around them.

VOICE OVER

My Roommate the Tyrant is filmed before a live studio audience.

Cheerful music plays, as the lights raise onto a sitcom
apartment. Inside, The Actual Ghost Ivan the Terrible is
doing the dishes and whistling. He looks like death,
partially because he is dead and partially because he just
kind of looked like that
The main character of the sitcom, Taylor enters. They are
attractive in a relatable way, and seem very unsurprised to
see a ghost doing their dishes.

TAYLOR

Ivan, I’m hoooooome.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

(In a thick Russian accent) You forget to wash mug again.

TAYLOR

Aw, sorry Ivey. I guess I just rushed out for work again. Can you ever forgive me?

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

You know why I killed oldest son with bare hands? He forget to pick socks off of floor.

TAYLOR

Man, I thought you were called Ivan the Terrible, not Ivan the neat freak.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

Ha. ha. ha. Always with the name playing, Ivan the Idle threatener, Ivan the complainer–

TAYLOR

Ivan the best karaoke partner a room mate can ask for.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

If it were not for my love of karaoke, you would be long dead.

TAYLOR

Well, after what I’m going to say, you’ll want to kill me even less.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

Oh and what was that?

TAYLOR

I got you a date.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

A date?

TAYLOR

Yes, she’s really into ghosts, I thought she would be right up your alley?

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

She sounds like a–

Ivan takes a deep breath.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

She sounds like a weirdo.

TAYLOR

Come on buddy. You should give her a chance.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

I don’t know…

Suddenly IVAN THE TERRIBLE breaks character. He
still speaks in a Russian accent but it isn’t broken, and is
less intense.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I just need a second.

Andy the Director calls from off stage.

ANDY (OFF STAGE)

Everything okay Ivan?

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

It’s just… I don’t… Nevermind. Let’s just keep going.

ANDY (OFF STAGE)

No Ivan, what’s on your mind.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE

I just–I sometimes feel like this show makes me look like a bad guy, you know.

ANDY

But you’re Ivan the Terrible.

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Join us for the next Monday Night PlayGround on November 15th! For more info, click here!