The November People’s Choice Award goes to…

The people have spoken… The November People’s Choice Award goes to Tré Calhoun for his short play The Banned, presented as a staged reading at The Producers Club and via livestream on November 25th. Congratulations, Tré!

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

The Banned
by Tré Calhoun

CHARACTERS:
JACE A guitarist in his 30s. Any race (not Latino).
RAYA A drummer in her 30s. Latina.
VERONICA A club owner/promoter in her 30-40s.

SETTING: Backstage. NYC.

TIME: Night

Backstage: The wings of New York’s hottest new club.
Live music plays on stage (our offstage).

JACE (30s) and RAYA (30s) eye the act from the wings.

JACE
Fuuuck. They’re good.

RAYA
Barely, the drummer looks like he’s having an arrhythmia.

JACE
I’m nervous, Raya. This will be big for us if we get signed. Where’s Nicki?

RAYA
I don’t know where your girlfriend is. Probably making out with the bartender.

JACE
Be nice.

RAYA
Tell your girlfriend to be nice.

JACE
If I leave Nicki, she’ll leave the band. You think it hit a thousand people out there? They didn’t come to hear these shmucks, they came for us. Ohhh where’s Nicki?

RAYA grabs JACE’s arms, peering into his eyes.

RAYA
Focus. Good things are coming for me and you. She’ll be here. We’re warmed up, I bet she’s belting out where no one can hear her. You got your lucky pick from your dad?

JACE
Bet.

HE finds his pick. SHE pulls drum sticks out of her back
pocket. SHE drums them playfully against his chest.

RAYA
I got the sticks you got me for Christmas. We’re unstoppable. We’re gonna feel the love out there.

He does some light strumming in the air.

JACE
You always keep me on beat… When we get to the finale, they’re gonna lose their minds.
“Open your heart, free your soul, fear no more, fear no more.”

RAYA
“Love yourself, hear out your foe—”

JACE and RAYA
“Fear no more, fear no more.”

VERONICA (30s-40s, professional attire) enters.

VERONICA
(singing)
“Love your neighbors, give favors, no dangers dangers dangers!”
(speaking)
Ohmigod, I can’t believe I just got an exclusive preview of DANTE DANTE DANTE’s fiery new song!!

JACE
We’re up next?

VERONICA
I just gotta tell you two that I have a feeling that if you can win the Battle of the Bands trophy tonight… you’re gonna crossover from indie to mainstream!

JACE
Thanks, Veronica. How much longer till we’re on?

VERONICA
I played “Fear No More” for my mom, and I just gotta tell you two… she’s obsessed. She has this whole beef with her neighbor about her property line being a foot to the left or a foot to the right. This 70-year-old woman heard your song, lost her fear, went over to her neighbor, had a two hour heart-to-heart about it.

Join us for our next Monday Night PlayGround on December 23, live at The Producers Club and simulcast! For more info, click here!