John Muir Middle School - Center Theatre Group

Center Theatre Group 

Education and Community Partnerships 

Middle School Playwriting Program 

2009-2012 

Anthology 

John Muir Middle School 

Burbank Unified School District

Throughout our history, Center Theatre Group (CTG) has sustained 

a commitment to the development of new works, inviting new voices 

into the cultural conversations through our numerous playwright 

commissions and annual Writers’ Workshop. Through these efforts, CTG 

serves as a platform for new stories to be shared with our community. 

It was with this tradition in mind that we embarked on creating a vibrant 

playwriting program for young people in Los Angeles – the Middle School 

Playwriting Program. 

For many of us, it can sometimes feel like art is something that happens to 

us, rather than something that comes from us. Students may have a chance 

to see a professional production, or get a role in the school show – but, for 

the most part, plays are created by somebody else. At its heart, our program 

is about inspiring adolescents’ self-expression, giving them avenues to 

explore different writing styles and develop dexterity with complex ideas, 

and ultimately helping them find confidence in their own writing and the 

willingness to take creative risks. 

The program model we created was ambitious, particularly the decision 

to focus on middle schools. The value of arts education, its connection to 

literacy, and the need for programming at the middle school level is well 

documented. 2009 California Standardized Testing and Reporting results 

show that more than half of all middle school students in Los Angeles 

County scored below the proficient level in English-Language Arts. The arts 

can provide a critical point of connection during the pre-teen years, a time of 

profound transformation for students when young people go through more 

change in their lives than at any other time except their first three years. 

The CTG Middle School Playwriting Program created an opportunity for 

students to learn about the unique discipline of writing for the stage. 

Partnering with students and teachers, we explored many questions: What is 

the structure of a well told story? Why choose to tell a story through theatre 

as opposed to other mediums? How does having a live audience change the 

way we see the story we are telling? Over three years, our students wrote, 

both independently and collaboratively, and fortified their writing through 

theatre games and ensemble building activities, periodic readings with 

professional actors and editing sessions where they served as dramaturges 

to one another – to finally arrive at this publication of their culminating 

project – an anthology of 10-minute plays. 

We are incredibly proud of the work of our Middle School Playwriting 

Program students and grateful to our Project Faculty and Partner Schools 

and Theatres for the critical part everyone played in this pilot program. 

We hope that you enjoy these works of art! 

Leslie K. Johnson 

Director of Education & Community Partnerships 

Center Theatre Group

Center Theatre Group’s Middle School 

Playwriting Program invests in the lives of 

young people, involving them in our creative 

community by giving voice to their original 

stories, gleaned from their own experiences. 

Using a multi-year artist residency model that 

a) focuses on playwriting, b) partners CTG 

Teaching Artists with Middle School English 

teachers, and c) teams with a local small 

theatre as a collaborative partner to provide 

professional readings of student scripts, CTG’s 

Middle School Playwriting Program targets 

students at an essential moment of “becoming” 

to improve and inspire their language and 

creative thinking skills. 

The Program was piloted in 2009-2010 in 10 

diverse schools across Burbank, Inglewood, 

Los Angeles, and Santa Monica-Malibu 

Unified School Districts, each of which made 

a commitment to a three-year action research 

project to inform conversations about student 

achievement and arts programming. Engaging 

the same students over the course of three 

years, beginning with them in 6th grade 

and following them into 7th and 8th grade, 

students learned, practiced and refined their 

playwriting skills using character development, 

improvisation, and reading and writing 

exercises, ultimately leading to the 

development of scripted scenes rooted 

in their own experiences. 

As a pilot, it was essential to engage with both 

a project evaluator and documentary filmmaker 

to document the progress and attitudinal shifts 

throughout the three years to support ongoing 

program development. Dr. Dana Powell Russell 

served as program evaluator, collecting and 

analyzing data around student achievement 

to help inform refinements in order to achieve 

program goals and student success. Filmmaker 

Rosylyn Rhee created a video documentary 

about the program to facilitate sharing with 

stakeholders and at conferences. 

To learn more about the Middle School 

Playwriting Program, please visit our website: 

www.CenterTheatreGroup.org/MSPP 

PARTICIPATING PILOT SCHOOLS 

Luther Burbank Middle School 

Burbank Unified School District 

David Starr Jordan Middle School 




Pacoima Middle School 

Los Angeles Unified School District 

George Washington Carver Middle School 


James A. Foshay Learning Center 


Crozier Middle School 

Inglewood Unified School District 

John Adams Middle School 

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District 

Thomas Starr King Middle School 

Los Angeles Unified School District* 


Los Angeles Unified School District* 

*Indicates school that only participated the first 

two years 

PROJECT FACULTY 

Playwriting Advisors 

José Cruz González (2011-2012) 

Luis Alfaro (2010-2011) 

Ronald McCants (2010-2011) 

Teaching Artists 

Bernard K. Addison 

B.J. Dodge 

Lee Sherman 

Paula Weston Solano 

Michael Yurchak 

Teaching Artist Apprentices 

David Guerra (2011-2012) 

Janine Salinas (2011-2012) 

Boni Alvarez (2010-2011) 

Partner Theatres 

The Antaeus Company 

Company of Angels 

East L.A. Classic Theatre 

The Knightsbridge Theatre 

The Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble 

Theatre Banshee 

Evaluator 

Dr. Dana Powell Russell 

Filmmaker 

Rosylyn Rhee

1 

8 

16 

25 

33 

45 

55 

Plays 

FOREWORD 

By José Cruz González 

THE BARBER SHOP 

By Loudvik Abrami, Kiera Pauff, 

Manuel Ter-Stepanyan and Brenda Zepeda 

NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER 

By Nina Cavalheiro, Sean Hovanesian and 

Sara Larson 

PERSONAL DEMONS 

By Chelsy Cordon, Christopher Noriega, 

Andre Poladian and Kirsten Stoner 

SECRETS REVEALED 

By Dalar Manooki, Lilit Balbuchakyan, 

Melanie Surarith and Paulina Aghakhani 

THAT ONE CHICK NEXT DOOR 

By Gilbert Nazari, Shant Terzyan, Troy Weaver 

and Zeinab Fakhreddine 

THE UNBALANCED TRIANGLE 

By Daniella Felipe, Matthew Harkness, 

Chyann Matthews and Anna Park 

WAKE UP CALL 

By David Chavez, Yeva Kouzovicin, 

Esmeralda Ortiz and Tamar Sarksian

am so pleased to introduce to you our 2012 Anthology. Our middle 

I school playwrights from eight Los Angeles County public schools 

created these plays. Hundreds of young people participated led by our 

amazing teaching artists and partner teachers. 

The plays were developed in a collaborative process where teams of 

writers worked together to create a play. We introduced to our playwrights 

dramaturgy, so that the writers would get constructive feedback about 

their plays. 

We’re so proud of our young playwrights and the work they have created. 

The seeds of the imagination have been planted and I smile knowing that 

those seeds will bloom into something magnificent one day. 

José Cruz González 

José Cruz González 

Playwriting Advisor

THE BARBER SHOP 

By 

Loudvik Abrami 

Kiera Pauff 

Manuel Ter-Stepanyan 

Brenda Zepeda 

Middle School Playwriting Program Anthology 1

CHARACTERS 

SEAN, 93, Owns Barber Shop. 

JOE, 23, has hairy eyebrows. 

PERRY, a strange man that nobody knows about. 

TIME 

3-2-12 Afternoon 

PLACE 

The Sean-A-Brow (The barber shop) 

John Muir Middle School 2

SEAN 

Well hello sir, what haircut would you like? 

JOE 

Well it’s not really a haircut…it’s my eyebrows and I had heard about 

this store from my friend, but is there anyone younger here? Maybe a 

20 year old hot chick? 

SEAN 

Nope it’s just me. Trust me son I have got just the thing. 

JOE 

Let me warn you, if your razor breaks I’m not responsible for damages. 

I’ll be right back. 

SEAN 

JOE 

Are you okay? Do you need some help? 

No no, I’m fine. 

It’s okay I can help you. 

SEAN starts coughing while getting the 

tools slowly. 

SEAN 

SEAN starts coughing really badly 

while dragging a heavy lawn mower. 

JOE 

SEAN 

This here is a Shaver4000 with 45 horsepower. 

JOE 

Umm. I’m okay I’m just going to get going I don’t need that lawn mower 

thing on my eyebrows. 

Sit down! 

SEAN 


John Muir Middle School 4 

SEAN starts coughing 

JOE 

Okay! Gosh! Sir are you okay? Do you want me to get you some water or 

something? 

SEAN 

I’m fine. Just have a seat while I shave those eyebrows. 

JOE 

Do you have any scissors maybe? I’d rather not have that on my face. 

Okay let me get them. 

SEAN 

SEAN turns around and starts slowly 

walking back while coughing really 

badly. 

JOE 

No need to walk back. I’ll just have the lawn mower thing. 

Owww! 

SEAN stops while holding his heart. 

SEAN 

JOE 

Are you okay?!?! Do you need me to take you to the hospital? 

SEAN 

No, I’m okay. It happens all the time. 

JOE 

Can I please leave now? I don’t want to bother you. You seem not okay. 

SEAN 

Okay I’m sorry. Let’s start. Lean back now partner. 

Okay. Be careful! 

JOE

Yeah, yeah. 

My eyebrow! 

Noooooo! My eyebrow! 

Help the man! 

SEAN 

SEAN turns on Shaver4000 and starts 

slowly shaving his eyebrows then 

accidently shaves off the other 

eyebrow. 

JOE 

SEAN has a heart attack and falls on 

the floor while JOE is holding a 

mirror in his hand screaming. 

A customer named PERRY walks in and 

realizes the owner on the floor. 

PERRY 

JOE 

Do my eyebrows look even to you!?!? 

PERRY 

THERE’S A DEAD MAN ON THE FLOOR AND YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT ABOUT YOUR 

EYEBROWS! 

JOE 

WELL EXCUSE ME BUT I’M GOING TO BE ON NATIONAL TELEVISION TOMMOROW. 

PERRY 

WELL I HAVE A BIG DINNER WITH MY MOM AND MY BACK ISN’T GOING TO SHAVE 

ITSELF! 

JOE 

WELL THAT’S TOO BAD FOR YOU ISN’T IT! 

PERRY 

Ok wait we need to hide the body, instead of just fight here or else 

we’re both going to get arrested. 


JOE 

Right ok where are we going to hide it? 

PERRY 

OOOO look behind that door with a mirror on it. 

Oh man my eyebrow! 


They head over to the door and JOE 

looks in the mirror. 

JOE 

PERRY 

Forget about your stupid eyebrow! 

NEVER! 

JOE 

PERRY 

Ok you open the door and I’ll drag the body in. 

Sounds like a plan. 

Ok what now? 

OWWWWW 

JOE 

They drag SEAN into the closest 

PERRY 

JOE begins to attempt to make his 

eyebrows even 

JOE 

PERRY 

That’s what you get for being an idiot. 

JOE being an idiot accidently cuts 

himself.

You know what man forget you! 

Fine whatever. 

Hey you hear that? 

JOE 

PERRY 

They suddenly hear a noise coming from 

the closet. 

JOE 

PERRY 

Yeah it sounds like it’s coming from the closet. 

Let’s go see what it is. 

Ok. 

AHHHHH IT’S SEAN HE’S ALIVE. 

JOE 

PERRY 

JOE 

SEAN 

Whoa my head is spinning. What happened? 

YOU’RE ALIVE!!!! 

PERRY 



NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER 

By 

Nina Cavalheiro 

Sean Hovanesian 

Sara Larson

CHARACTERS 

JASON: He has light amber hair and a scruffy complexion. He has a 5 

o’clock shadow that matches his hair color. He has blue eyes and is 

stocky and muscular. He is a typically more handsome guy. He is about 

6’2. His talent is reading emotions and actions; a setback for him is 

that he is hardboiled and impatient. 

SEBASTIAN: He has a shaved head and is balding; he has a typical tough 

guy look. He has a scruffy face and dark complexion from smoking. He 

was hired as a hit man by Jason’s brother William to kill Jason. He 

acts dumb for his every target so they will never expect him to be so 

clever. 

TIME 

The present; nighttime, around 10:00 pm 

PLACE 

Jason’s hideout in the Rocky Mountains in Denver; his hideout is 

inside the mountain. 


Damn! 


A missile has just hit JASON’S 

hideout. While JASON and SEBASTIAN 

were having a showdown, the missile 

hit. Before the whole front exit could 

collapse, JASON and SEBASTIAN ran for 

it. But as soon as they reached the 

exit, the walls collapsed on both of 

them. The lights turn up on JASON and 

SEBASTIAN getting up in the rubble 

wiping themselves off and coughing. 

The front room where the exit was has 

been destroyed completely and the 

walls are smashed together on the 

ground. 

JASON 

SEBASTIAN 

I told you your brother was mean! 

Did you boo boo your lung? 

JASON 

What. Did you just say? Boo boo…? 

He coughs into his hand, which brings 

up blood. 

He looks at the blood on JASON’S hand 

skeptically 

Motions to JASON’S hand 

He makes a face at SEBASTIAN 

I hope not, if boo boo means “rupture”. But, you never said anything 

about William that wasn’t already true, and that I didn’t already 

know. Look, I know you agreed to this job for the money, but you 

should know the trouble you’re getting yourself into. William knew you 

were in here with me. Why would he launch that missile if you are his 

most valuable asset in him “winning” this race? But right now that 

isn’t important. We need to figure out how to get out of here. I know 

where to go. Follow me or don’t. You don’t really have very many 

options.

SEBASTIAN 

But… William told me to kill you. Even if he might have not cared if 

he killed me just now, I’m still going to kill you. I’m just followin’ 

orders. 

JASON 

Why don’t you think about killing me when we actually know when we’re 

going to get out of here? Come on. I seriously can’t believe my 

brother’s at it again. He’s never gotten to me before, and he won’t do 

it again. 

I guess I can wait… 

SEBASTIAN 

SEBASTIAN looks dumbly at JASON as he 

tries in vain to think 

JASON 

Good. Let’s start moving. I don’t want these gas pipes to explode on 

us. 

SEBASTIAN and JASON start walking 

through the smoke, wafting it out of 

their face as they do so. 

In case this ever happened, I made sure to build a tunnel around the 

weapons rack around… 

SEBASTIAN gets a stupid, sly looking 

smile on his face 

What are you making that face for…? You’re creeping me out… Come on. 

It’s somewhere around here; south of here actually. 

SEBASTIAN 

How do you know where everything is? 

As SEBASTIAN raises his voice, chunks 

of stone fall from the dangling 

ceiling. 

JASON 

Dude! Keep your voice down! Can’t you see the place is falling apart? 

Anyways, I think you’d expect me to know where everything is since I 

built this place. Hmm, I thought my brother would keep his assets more 

thoroughly informed. 


Yeah… 

Found it. 

Dude, you’re making the face again. 


SEBASTIAN 

They both walk down the hallway that 

hasn’t been completely destroyed, but 

is barely holding up 

JASON 

They both stop walking and SEBASTIAN 

notices the amount of guns on the 

wall. He gets a sly, big smile on his 

face 

SEBASTIAN 

Oh, sorry… You know, I think I have some kind of birth defect that 

makes me make this, “face”. 

Uh, sure… 

JASON 

He grabs a gun off of the rack and 

hesitantly hands it to SEBASTIAN 

How can I ensure my trust in you if you’re a hit man who was sent to 

kill me? I knew what you were planning. I guess you can’t kill me 

anymore now that I’m on to you… So here you go. 

Oh, darn… 

SEBASTIAN 

He chuckles nervously 

Well, at least I know how to handle a gun. You just pull this little 

trigger. 

You MORON! Give me the gun! 

He pulls the trigger and the bullet 

nearly hits JASON’S feet 

JASON

SEBASTIAN 

No! It won’t happen again! I promise! 

He steps back, cradling the gun in his 

hands 

JASON 

I’m still keeping my eyes on you. Don’t do anything stupid ok? So, 

behind this weapons rack should be the tunnel. 

He opens the rack door, but only finds 

the cave to be caved in with boulders 

SEBASTIAN 

Yeah. The boss is a pretty mean big brother. Typical. Well, I guess 

we’ll have to resort to cannibalism! 

He lunges at JASON and tackles him 

onto the ground. He pulls up his gun 

and points it straight at JASON’S head 

Ha! I finally have you where I want you. If you even move an inch, 

I’ll notify the boss to discharge your microchip I planted in your 

head when I knocked you to the ground before the missile hit. I’m not 

as stupid as you think you know. I’m actually smarter. 

JASON 

Telling me you’re smarter than me proves your arrogance, and arrogance 

is stupidity itself. 

Watch out! The wall! 

AHH! You prick! 

As he talks he brings up his pocket 

knife from his belt and aims it slowly 

at SEBASTIAN’S appendix 

As JASON makes this distraction, 

SEBASTIAN looks up and JASON stabs him 

in the side 

SEBASTIAN 

JASON gets up from the ground and 

kicks SEBASTIAN in the face 


Give me your earpiece. 


JASON 

SEBASTIAN 

I don’t know what you’re talking about! OW! 

OK! OK!! Here! 

JASON kicks SEBASTIAN’S side 

SEBASTIAN pulls out his earpiece and 

tosses it on the floor next to JASON’S 

feet. JASON picks it up and presses 

the intercom button to respond to 

WILLIAM who he knows is listening on 

the other side 

JASON 

Thanks. Hey, boss? Yeah, it’s Jason. Sebastian’s in a little trouble 

right now, he can’t pick up the “phone”. Leave a message? 

SEBASTIAN 

Ha! He’s not going to answer to YOU. Give up now! Or else! I’ll blow 

your head in! 

He coughs up blood and groans 

JASON 

Will. Answer me now. Even if the answer’s blowing my head in. I saw 

him. The man who killed our parents. He was outside when you blew this 

place up. He was in one of my cars, probably stealing it for all I 

know, but then he saw me and left as fast as he could. It was all in a 

matter of seconds but I know it was him. 

SEBASTIAN 

Give it here! He’s not going to respond! 

Where is he now? 

SEBASTIAN tries to get up but his side 

wound is too deep in for him to get up 

properly. Meanwhile, WILLIAM has 

responded to JASON’S call. 

WILLIAM

JASON 

He’s gone. He might have fled to the city now. But…how did he know I 

was here? You’re the only one who does. 

WILLIAM 

I don’t know. Remember. This is the only thing we’ve ever agreed on. 

It will be the only thing. I want to win this race, but I can’t do it 

without dealing with this monster first. 

Agreed. 

JASON 

WILLIAM 

Try not to kill Sebastian while you’re at it. He could be helpful. 

As soon as WILLIAM says this SEBASTIAN 

rises up and knocks JASON over the 

head with a piece of rock and JASON 

collapses on the floor. SEBASTIAN 

picks up the earpiece and turns away 

from JASON who lies on the floor. 

SEBASTIAN 

Hey boss. I got him down, but he’s not de- Wha-? WE’RE ALLIES NOW? 

Seriously. You had a change of heart that fast? I don’t believe it. 

Well, if you want us the heck out of here, then you’re gonna have to 

blow this tunnel in. There’s no other way out. Ok. See you soon then. 

Give up. The boss isn’t coming here and neither is your friend. The 

boss would rather kill both of us than come to get me. He figured we’d 

both die anyways because we have no way out. Hey are you ok? 

When SEBASTIAN says this, JASON, who 

collapses on the floor, coughs up an 

enormous amount of blood and chokes; 

SEBASTIAN goes up to him and tries 

CPR, but to no avail. SEBASTIAN takes 

the earpiece and tries calling WILLIAM 

to bring more help. 

Help! Help! Your brother’s down and he isn’t breathing! You need to 

get over here NOW. 

Come on, man! Wake up! The boss is gonna kill me… 

SEBASTIAN puts the earpiece down and 

tries more CPR on JASON. 



PERSONAL DEMONS 

By 

Chelsy Cordon 

Christopher Noriega 

Andre Poladian 

Kirsten Stoner

CHARACTERS 

JASON CONNORS, 32, brown hair, brown eyes, 5’11”, looks like he hasn’t 

shaven. Is Nettie’s father. 

ELIZABETH ‘LIZ’ CONNORS, 31, blonde hair, blue eyes, kind of stupid, 

mean. 5’5” including heels. Fake tanned. Is Nettie’s mother. 

BIANCA WILSON, 24, auburn hair, brown eyes, tough, freckled, scrawny. 

Gets to the point. Is the detective. 

ANNA ARLINGTON, 36, 4’10”, fat, dark skinned, long, black hair, brown 

eyes. Is the nurse at the mental institute. 

ROXY, 19, brown hair, grey eyes, 4’11”. Has double personality. She is 

a patient at the mental institution. 

TIME 

January 2 nd , 1945. 2:14 P.M. 

SETTING 

Hospital lobby 



LIZ and ANNA are sitting on one of the 

couches across from the hospital door. 

BIANCA is standing next to the couch, 

and JASON is pacing in front of the 

couch. 

BIANCA 

You all know that you’re here because of the death of Miss Nettie 

Connors, correct? 

I can’t believe she’s dead. 

JASON facepalms 

JASON 

BIANCA 

Good. Who was the first person to find Miss Nettie Connors dead? 

JASON 

I guess I was. I walked into the room to visit her and found her face 

down in the cake. 

BIANCA 

Why was there a cake in Nettie’s room in the first place? 

LIZ rolls eyes. 

LIZ 

Listen, Wilson, if you actually had read Nettie’s files, you would 

have known that today was her birthday. 

(Sarcastically) 

Some detective you are. 

BIANCA 

I don’t like the attitude you’re giving me, Mrs. Connors. We’re here 

to discuss your daughter’s death, not to fight. 

Who baked the cake, anyway? 

(Timidly) 

I did, Miss Wilson 

LIZ flips her hair carelessly. 

ANNA

You did? 

Yes, I did. 

BIANCA 

ANNA 

BIANCA looks at ANNA suspiciously. 

BIANCA 

I see. Do you think someone could have poisoned Nettie’s cake? 

ANNA 

No, Miss Wilson, why would I hurt such an innocent child? An angel. I 

would never even contemplate killing her. 

BIANCA 

Calm down, I haven’t accused you of anything…yet. 

ANNA 

Well, God knows I’m perfectly innocent. 

LIZ 

Why would someone want to kill Nettie, anyway? 

BIANCA smiles at LIZ. 

BIANCA 

Excellent question, Mrs. Connors. Perhaps you would know? 

JASON 

(Laughs) 

Miss Wilson, I doubt that Liz could kill anyone. She’s a complete 

idiot. 

(Furious) 

HOW COULD YOU?! 

LIZ 

ANNA 

Would you two please stop fighting? This is getting us nowhere. I just 

want to know who killed that poor little angel. 


Maybe you would know, Anna. 


BIANCA 

ANNA frowns at BIANCA. 

ANNA 

I didn’t do it, sweetheart. So keep on dreaming all you want. 

(Smiles) 

Hello Roxy, take a seat. 

Who is that? 

ROXY enters. 

BIANCA 

LIZ 

BIANCA 

She is our last suspect. She escaped out of her room during the time 

Nettie was killed. 

Oh, so she’s one of the crazies. 

LIZ 

JASON 

Could you really be any more insensitive, Liz? 

LIZ frowns. 

BIANCA 

So, Anna. Do you know what you made the cake with? 

ANNA 

Yeah. Flour, eggs, butter. The usual. 

No special secret ingredients? 

No. 

BIANCA 

ANNA

BIANCA 

(To LIZ) 

Where were you at the time of Nettie’s death? 

LIZ 

I was at the bowling alley, boowliinngg. 

BIANCA 

Did you send anything with Jason to give to Nettie? 

No. Can I go now? 

LIZ 

BIANCA 

(Smiling sweetly) 

No, you can’t. Roxy, do you remember where you were at the time of 

Nettie’s death? 

ROXY 

The door, it was opened, so I went outside and went to the garden. 

Anything else? 

That’s all I can remember. 

Are you sure? 

BIANCA 

ROXY 

BIANCA 

ROXY 

You killed her, Bianca. YOU KILLED HER. 

(Laughs maniacally) 

LIZ gets up from the chair and backs 

away. 

BIANCA 

(To LIZ) 

Don’t be so scared, Blondie, Roxy has multiple personalities. She 

tends to scare people often. 


BIANCA (continued) 

(To ANNA) 

Anna, you worked with Roxy, too, didn’t you? 

Yes, and? 


ANNA 

BIANCA 

I was just wondering. Did you like Nettie? 

ANNA 

Of course, why wouldn’t I? She was the sweetest little girl I’ve ever 

worked with. I promise you, I wouldn’t kill her. 

Of course you wouldn’t……. 

BIANCA 

It seems we have a new bit of evidence. 

WHAT IS IT? 

An officer enters the room, hands 

BIANCA a packet and leaves. 

JASON 

BIANCA 

If you’d shut up, I could tell you guys. 

I’m sorry, continue… 

JASON 

BIANCA 

Very well, the cake has NOT been poisoned. Also, we have a set of two 

fingerprints, both belonging to Roxy. One on Nettie’s door, and one on 

the counter in the institution’s pharmacy. The only thing missing was 

a syringe of tranquilizer. This very same syringe was found outside in 

the garden, empty. 

LIZ 

What does tranquilizer have to do with her death? It can’t kill 

anyone.

BIANCA 

It has to do with this, because this particular tranquilizer is too 

strong for a child of Nettie’s size. 

LIZ 

Seems like it’s all pointing to the looney girl, hahahahaha….. 

Oh Liz, what an idiot…… 

JASON 

BIANCA 

People, get serious, it DOES point to Roxy, but we won’t know for sure 

until the autopsy is completed in a few minutes. 

ROXY 

It wasn’t me. Or was it? HAHAHAHA! 

BIANCA 

Roxy, please tell us whether you did it or not? 

ROXY 

Well, there we have it! I DID kill her. 

Why? What made you do it Roxy? 

Just then ROXY jumps up and grabs 

BIANCA’S gun. 

BIANCA 

ROXY 

She was Anna’s FAVORITE. I wanted some attention too. Now that she’s 

out of the picture, I’m going to deal with the rest of you. 

BIANCA 

You can kill us Roxy, but you won’t escape in time. There are guards 

on every corner of this agency. 

ROXY 

It doesn’t matter, I’ve been locked up here my whole life! I can find 

my way out. 



JASON suddenly tackles ROXY and takes 

her gun. 

JASON 

I promised not to ever hit a girl, but she killed my baby. 

It’s ok, Jason. 

BIANCA 

LIZ kicks ROXY. 

LIZ 

You killed her, you killed her! I’m so sorry, Jason. I was a bad 

mother. 

JASON 

I still hate you, Liz. This doesn’t change anything. 

BIANCA 

Ok, you two can cry somewhere else, now. We’ve found the murderer. Now 

get out. 

ALL but ROXY and BIANCA leave the 

room. BIANCA handcuffs ROXY. 

And, you, Miss Roxy, have the right to remain silent. Anything you 

say can and will be used against you. You have the right to a lawyer 

and a jury trial. Let’s go. 

BIANCA leaves with ROXY. 

Curtain

SECRETS REVEALED 

By 

Paulina Aghakhani 

Lilit Balbuchakyan 

Dalar Manooki 

Melanie Surarith 


CHARACTERS 

JESSICA, 17, a high school senior who was recently raped over the 

summer. 

JENNY, 17, Jessica’s best friend who is dating the guy who raped her. 

JASON PHILLIPS, 18, the guy who raped Jessica and is going out with 

her best friend Jenny. 

TIME 

Monday, lunchtime 

PLACE 

Basketball bleachers in the gym 


I hate my life! 

Why? 

God, Jenny you scared me! 

Sorry, what’s wrong? 

(Laughing) 

Nothing, I just hate school. 

JESSICA is sitting at on the bleacher 

writing in her diary. JENNY sneaked up 

behind her. 

JESSICA 

Writes in diary and says out loud 

JENNY 

JESSICA 

JENNY 

JESSICA 

JENNY 

Oh, I know how to cheer you up, I have good news. 

(Excited) 

What?????? 

I…I have a boyfriend. 

(Pauses) 

OMG who??????? 

Jason Phillips. 

JESSICA 

JENNY 

JESSICA 

JENNY 


JESSICA 

What????? Are you out of your mind, why would you go out with him????? 

You know him? 


JENNY 

JESSICA 

I…I don’t know him, but I have heard bad things about him. 

(Stutters) 

Well, he is a really good guy. 

JENNY 

JESSICA 

Um... ok, whatever, as long as you’re careful. 

JENNY 

Is there something you want to tell me? 

JESSICA 

No, and I need to go to the bathroom I will be back. 

Who said you could read that? 

JENNY 

(Outraged) 

Why didn’t you tell me about this????? 

About what?? 

JESSICA gets up from the bleacher and 

goes to the bathroom, but leaves her 

diary open. JENNY picks up the diary 

that JESSICA had left open on the 

table and begins reading it. JESSICA 

returns to the bleachers 

JESSICA grabs the journal out of 

JENNY’S hand. 

JESSICA 

JENNY 

That Jason raped you? How come I didn’t know about this?

JESSICA 

Shhhhh! Don’t talk so loud!!! I don’t want people to hear. 

(Ashamed) 

JENNY 

We are in the middle of nowhere. Who is going to hear us? But how come 

I didn’t know? 

I didn’t want anyone to know! 

JENNY asks again a little bit madder. 

JESSICA 

JENNY 

So no one knows about this? Are you crazy? You could have at least 

told your Mom ……or even me? 

JESSICA 

I didn’t want to put my mom through more stress, especially something 

like this. With the divorce and everything, she really didn’t need 

this. 

JENNY 

Oh, but wait, were you ever going to tell me? 

JESSICA 

I was thinking it about it after you told me, you two were together. I 

just didn’t know how to say it. 

JENNY 

Ok, and let’s say that I wasn’t going out with him and I didn’t read 

your diary, were you going to tell anyone about this? 

No, probably not. 

JESSICA 

JENNY 

Are you kidding me? You can’t just not tell anybody about this. What 

if he goes and rapes another girl or even me? Don’t you think that you 

could have prevented that from happening if you just told someone? 


JESSICA 

I know, but I thought everyone would blame me and think I’m easy. 

(Starts crying) 

JENNY 

Please stop crying, it’s not your fault. 

(Comforting JESSICA) 

You know what, let’s go see Ms. Lynn and tell her, she would know what 

to do. He should be punished for what he did to you. 

JESSICA 

No, no, no, I can’t do that. I’ll die of embarrassment. 

JENNY 

There is nothing to be embarrassed of. 

JESSICA 

Please no, you don’t know how it feels. My whole reputation, my whole 

life would be ruined. 

JENNY 

No I don’t know how it feels, but I know what he did is wrong. He has 

to be punished. 

JESSICA 

Oh my God, he is coming towards us. 

Hi ladies. 

What’s wrong beautiful? 


JASON walks toward the girls 

JASON 

JESSICA and JENNY look up at him and 

don’t say anything. 

JENNY 

You actually think you are going to get away with it? 

What did I do? 

JASON

JENNY 

You had the nerve to come and ask me out after you raped my best 

friend? 

JASON 

I didn’t do anything wrong, she was all over me. 

JESSICA starts crying. 

JENNY 

Don’t you dare say that. Just leave, right now! 

JASON leaves the bleachers 

JESSICA 

Do you see what I mean? No one is going to believe me. 

JENNY 

I believed you, and other people will believe you too. 

JESSICA 

No, they won’t. You only believe me cause I am your best friend. 

Please let’s just forget about it. 

JENNY 

Jess you really don’t understand how serious this is, do you? 

JESSICA 

I do understand, but I just want to forget about this. I already have 

so much going on in my life. First off, my grades have gotten a lot 

worse, I can’t focus on my schoolwork, I didn’t get into USC, and, 

this. Do you think it’s easy for me? It may look like I’m not making 

it a big deal, but on the inside I’m torn apart. It’s not easy saying 

it out loud. I just don’t need anything worse than that going on in my 

life right now. 

JENNY 

Ok, but that doesn’t mean that you should just sit around and do 

nothing. You need to talk to someone about this stuff, get some help. 

If you just hold it in, it’s going to hurt you even more and I know 

for a fact that you will regret not saying anything. 


JESSICA 

No, I won’t regret it. Please Jen, I don’t…. 

JENNY 

No, you have to tell someone about this. I am not going to let this 

go, I’m not kidding. This is serious, and if you don’t do something 

about it, I will. 

JESSICA 

No, you will not. Jen I swear if you tell anyone about this, I will 

never speak to you. 

JENNY 

You think I’ll do it just to ruin your life? 

If you do, it will be ruined. 


JESSICA 

JENNY 

No it won’t be, it will be saved. I don’t want my best friend to end 

up like those other girls who end up hating life. You’re beautiful, 

you’re smart, and you deserve to have a happy life. Please trust me. 

Let’s go right now, I’ll come with you. 

I don’t know. I need time. 

JESSICA 

JENNY 

Ok, you think about it, but this conversation is not over. 

END OF PLAY

THAT ONE CHICK NEXT DOOR 

By 

Zeinab Fakhreddine 

Gilbert Nazari 

Shant Terzyan 

Troy Weaver 


CHARACTERS 

RICARDO, 18, a high school dropout living in his parent’s basement, 

has no job and dreams about the girl next door. 

INDIANA, 17, Ricardo’s best and only friend who comes over pretty much 

every day. 

MELANIE, 17, The girl that Ricardo and Indiana are in love with. She 

has a lisp, and her leg twitches at random times. 

SHANT, Melanie’s boyfriend. He’s almost more stupid than Indiana and 

Ricardo. He’s ugly and has the same surfer accent as RICARDO and 

INDIANA 

TIME 

The present day, right before school is off 

PLACE 

At Ricardo’s house 


I totally have her, dude. 

What are you talking about, man… 

The girl next door! 


RICARDO and INDIANA are both sitting 

in chairs parallel to each other, both 

staring into each other’s eyes not 

knowing at all what to do. They’re 

acting like it’s a staring contest. 

They both have surfer dude/hippie 

accents and seem puzzled most of the 

time. 

RICARDO 

INDIANA 

RICARDO 

INDIANA 

RICARDO 

You know, my hot next door neighbor? 


INDIANA 

RICARDO 

Dude! Stop! Get with the program man! 

(Playfully) 

Both start giggling 

INDIANA 

Dude, you don’t have a hot next door neighbor… 

RICARDO 

What are you talking about, man? She’s gorgeous! 

INDIANA 

Are we thinking about different girls, dude?... 


Uhhhhhh, I think so. 

Wait, what time is it? 

Uhhhhhhh…. 2:59! 


RICARDO 

Both sit down, puzzled once again and 

have no clue what to do for a few 

seconds 

INDIANA 

Looks down at watch for a few seconds 

as if he can’t read it 

RICARDO 

Alright, perfect, man! When she walks out of school and comes over to 

her house, we’ll just be watching her right through the window. It’s 

genius, man! 

INDIANA 

Doesn’t that make us like those stalker guys we see on TV that always 

go to jail? 

No….. 

Alright. 

5,4,3,2,1 

RICARDO 

pauses for a second 

INDIANA 

Thinks about it seriously for a couple 

seconds 

Jumps upward happily. They wait a few 

seconds and stare at INDIANA’S watch 

and count down together 

INDIANA AND RICARDO

That’s her, man! That’s her! 

AHHH! 

I’ve a reason for all of this… 

Oh I can’t WAIT to hear this. 

On one, both of their heads pops up to 

stare out the window and look for her. 

RICARDO 

Points out the mirror 

INDIANA 

INDIANA shrieks in terror 

RICARDO 

INDIANA 

RICARDO 

Alright listen, it makes perfect sense. If she's ugly, 1. She probably 

never had a boyfriend before. 2. Will probably never have a boyfriend. 

And 3. The best part. She will never cheat on me, dude! She’ll be 

clung onto me like how a mama tiger carries the little tiger around 

like by their scruff like this. 

You cannot do that. 

And why not? 

INDIANA 

RICARDO 

INDIANA 

Because I… speaking as your best, and I’m pretty sure only friend will 

be the victim of your relationship, man. 

Huh? You jelly? 

RICARDO 


INDIANA 

If you’re dating that monster, and I’m your best friend, it’s going to 

make ALL of us look like idiots. And no, I’m not “jelly”. 

RICARDO 

But dude… She’s perfect, and I love her. 

Oh really? What’s her name? 

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... 

(really long) 


INDIANA 

RICARDO 

Pauses for a few seconds and stares at 

INDIANA then gets up 

INDIANA 

Exactly.. So don’t ask her out if you don’t even know her name. 

RICARDO 

Hey man, you sound like you’re jelly. 

INDIANA 

STOP SAYING JELLY! I am not jealous! 

You are totally jealous! 

Stops for a little and gives INDIANA 

the death stare 

RICARDO 

INDIANA 

Well.. It’s not that I’m like jealous, but you made like a really good 

point when you said no one would ever like her because she’s hideous. 

RICARDO 

OBVIOUSLY I WAS WRONG! You like her!

INDIANA 

You can’t count me, I mean come on. Nobody thinks like us. 

(Still laughing) 

That is so true man. 

Yeah! See! 

RICARDO 

Looks at INDIANA and they both start 

to laugh 

INDIANA 

RICARDO 

HEY! Don’t think you’re off the hook, she’s mine. I’m going to ask her 

out! Back off! 

No! I’M going to ask her out! 

INDIANA 

RICARDO 

You know what? I’m going to call her right now. 

INDIANA 

Hey man mind giving me her number so I can ask her out? Since you’re 

like a stalker you probably have it. 

RICARDO 

Totally dude! Of course I have it! I went through her mail once and 

the magazine she’s subscribed to had her number on the shipping paper 

so I wrote it down. 

(Giggles) 

It’s 818.555.5555 

Thanks bro! 

(Talks to himself quietly) 

What did I just do? 

INDIANA 

RICARDO 



INDIANA picks up the phone and calls 

the girl. While talking, RICARDO 

attacks INDIANA and tries to take the 

phone out of his hands. INDIANA is 

trying to protect himself 

INDIANA 

Hey “Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” 

(really long) 

This is your creepy neighbor’s best friend and I was wondering if you 

would want to go out on a date.. 

(waits 2 seconds) 

Really?! Alright see you in a few. 

(hangs up) 

Really, man? That was not cool. 

RICARDO 

INDIANA 

(Laughs really hard) 

Dude, are you like seriously.... like really crying right now... 

Hahahahahaha. 

RICARDO 

I’m going to get you back for this! 

INDIANA 

I’m sorry, man. I know how to make it up to you, man. 

How? 

RICARDO 

INDIANA 

Look, she’s coming over here right now, and so when she comes over 

here, and then we BOTH date her. And then when we finish our 3-person 

date, then she can pick the best man. 

RICARDO 

Alrighty then, dude. Well, I got some Mac n’ Cheese that I can 

microwave in a minute! I need to ask her how to figure it out though, 

because last time I tried, I blew the microwave up. I’m scared to do 

it on this new one.

INDIANA 

Alright man! One thing, dude. We have to be ourselves! We can’t change 

ourselves for some girl! 

Totally! 

ALRIGHT! 

RICARDO 

INDIANA 

RICARDO 

Okay, now let’s wait for her at the door. 

Alright, dude! 

INDIANA 

They both stand in front of the door 

and wait a few seconds, then there is 

a knock on the door. 

Oh My God, dude! Who could that be!? It’s not like we’re expecting 

anyone! 

RICARDO 

Oh, I know! It’s that creepy Shant guy! Remember him? 

OH YEAH! What should we do? 

Open the door! 

OKAY! 

Hey boys! 

INDIANA 

RICARDO 

INDIANA 

They just stand there while there are 

a few more knocks on the door. Then 

the door just opens from the outside. 

MELANIE 


HEY DUDETTE! 


RICARDO 

INDIANA suddenly changes himself into 

a gentlemen and stands up straight 

with his hand behind his band. His 

accent goes away while he talks to 

MELANIE. Very Elegant. 

INDIANA 

So pleased to see you. Quite a wonderful afternoon, it is. 

MELANIE 

Oooh, boys, you guys are looking SEXY. 

Madam, please step ahead. 

INDIANA and RICARDO low five each 

other 

INDIANA 

RICARDO 

Dude, I thought we were going to be ourselv- 

MADAM, please… 

INDIANA 

MELANIE 

Oh you boys are getting feisty. I LIKE IT. 

RICARDO 

Hey Dudette! We got some Mac N’ Cheese for you today! Can you put it 

in the microwave? 

MELANIE 

Sure, anything for you broad shouldered, muscular guys. 

MELANIE winks at the boys and goes off 

into the kitchen 

RICARDO 

Dude, I thought that we were going to be ourselves, dude!

INDIANA 

I am myself! This chick’s just so hot, that I just let my real self 

out. 

Whatever, man. 

RICARDO 

MELANIE comes back in 

MELANIE 

Hey guys… I think I blew up the microwave... and- 

IS IT THE CREEPY SHANT GUY? 

Gets interrupted by a knock on the 

door 

RICARDO 

INDIANA 

Not everyone in the world is Shant! 

I KNEW IT WAS HIM. I KNEW IT. 

RICARDO opens the door, SHANT is 

there. 

RICARDO 

SHANT 

Hey dudes! Remember me, SHANT? I heard Melanie’s here! Can I join the 

party? 

How did you know I was here….? 

MELANIE 

SHANT 

Well, I was kind of like, stalking you… and I found you here. 

RICARDO and INDIANA look at each other 

and start giggling 


SHANT, How do you know Melanie? 


RICARDO 

SHANT 

Well, she’s Indiana’s girlfriend. I came in, hoping I’d see some 

action. 

OH YEAH… Forgot about that. 

INDIANA 

SHANT 

ANYWAYS, so is there a party in casa el Ricardo, or what? 

MELANIE 

Okay this is all really weird I think I’m just going to leave… 

SHANT 

Okay bye baby I love you see you at home! 

RICARDO 

This really is like… weird… This is the last thing I ever thought 

would happen… like wow… 

BOY, I SURE WOULD LIKE MACARONI! 

This is looking deli... 

SHANT 

TURNS MICROWAVE ON. 

MICROWAVE EXPLODES. 

THE END

THE UNBALANCED TRIANGLE 

By 

Daniella Felipe 

Matthew Harkness 

Chyann Matthews 

Anna Park 


CHARACTERS 

JAMIE, blond girl, tall, green eyes, not popular. Doesn’t have a lot 

of friends. Has a lot of secrets, doesn’t want people to know about 

her sadness. Also she’s in love with her best friend, Jacob. 

JACOB, a tan guy, tall, blue eyes, very popular. Best friends with 

Jamie, He is in love with Sophie, but doesn’t want Sophie to know. 

Always cares, doesn’t want to be selfish 

SOPHIE, a brown hair girl with hazel eyes, very popular. Wants to be 

popular. Loves life. Doesn’t know about Jacob liking her. 

TIME 

After school 

PLACE 

Girl’s restroom 


JAMIE runs into the bathroom crying, 

JACOB is running after her 

JACOB 

Jamie, stop! What happened? Why are you acting like this? 

JAMIE 

Jacob, you don’t understand, just stop. You don’t understand, you are 

never there for me. 

JACOB gets angry 

JACOB 

What are you saying! We have been through hell and back together! I 

don’t know why you have been acting like this. What’s wrong with you? 

Are you really going to stand there and say that I’m not here for you? 

JAMIE laughs sarcastically 

JAMIE 

Wow, you have been really blinded by Sophie, haven’t you? I’m in love 

with you; I’ve been in love with you for seven years. These last few 

months, I’ve felt more alone than ever. You’re always at her 

cheerleading practice and her football games but you never even talked 

to me, why is that “best friend”? 

JACOB gets shocked and feels sympathy 

JACOB 

Jamie, I grew up, okay? I got new friends and new hobbies. I don’t 

like running in the backyard playing hide-and-seek or jumping on the 

bed anymore. I grew up. Everyone does that, Jamie, maybe you should 

too. 

JAMIE gets sad, yet still mad, crying 

JAMIE 

I hate it when people say, “grew up”, Jacob you are 17, you have your 

whole life to grow up. Just, Go away Jacob, because you have NO idea 

what I’ve been through and if you did know, you wouldn’t understand. 

JACOB gets frustrated 


JACOB 

THEN TELL ME JAMIE! TELL ME, TRY ME! LET’S SEE IF I CAN UNDERSTAND IT. 

Oh, uh, Jamie, I I didn’t kn... 


JAMIE pulls her sleeve up and all the 

cuts show 

JAMIE cuts JACOB off 

JAMIE 

I know! I knew you wouldn’t understand. Now, are you happy? That you 

know? That you are causing this? JUST GO JACOB, PLEASE JUST GO. 

JACOB 

No Jamie. Tell me. Why do you do this? 

No! What are you doing! 

JACOB is speechless, turns toward the 

door, starts leaving, but JAMIE starts 

pulling the gun out and she is 

sobbing, JACOB turns back around and 

sees the butter knife 

JAMIE is sobbing, JACOB is standing 

right beside her 

JAMIE 

No, Jacob. Let this be. I hate my life, it’s so hard to live my life 

every single day, I just want to do this. It makes me feel less 

stressful. 

JACOB starts to get panicky, scared 

for JAMIE 

JACOB 

Jamie, no. It doesn’t have to end like this. Please, just don’t. I’ll 

be there for you, every single day; I promise, just please, do not do 

this. I hate watching you hurting yourself. 

JAMIE cries harder 

JAMIE 

That’s the sad part, I know you won’t. Your mind is always on Sophie, 

even if today I don’t do this? What does that change? If you’re always

with me, you won’t be with Sophie, that doesn’t make you happy, so 

might as well just make one of us happy. 

JAMIE slowly pulls knife and slowly 

going toward her arm 

JACOB 

NOOOOOOOOO! PLEASE YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND. Please stop cutting 

yourself for me. If you do this today, you know what that would make 

me feel, useless, pathetic. Then I would just die inside, is that what 

you want for me? If you do this, you are not just hurting yourself, 

you are also hurting me. 

JAMIE turns around to look at JACOB’S 

face, slowly putting the knife down. 

Yes, now snap the knife in half, you don’t need to cut yourself to 

feel less stressed. 

JAMIE 

Jacob, you promised. I trust you. 

JACOB 

Yes, you can trust me. Now, please stop. 

JAMIE looks at floor 

JAMIE 

Jacob, I still love you, you know that right? 

JAMIE snaps the butter knife in half 

JACOB 

I know, but Jamie, I don’t feel that way about you. 

JAMIE gets shocked 

JAMIE 

What do you mean? I’m the best for you and you know that. Sophie, she 

is really popular and she is just going to break your heart in a 

heartbeat and you know that inside. 

JACOB gets nervous and a little angry 


JACOB 

You don’t know Sophie! She’s nice and sweet, she always makes me laugh 

and she understands me. 

JAMIE 

Oh, wow! What a show she is putting on, Jacob, I watch you, watching 

her all the time. You like her and I understand that, but she will 

never like you back. You just have to accept that. 


JACOB gets frustrated 

JACOB 

Huh? What are you saying! She’s a different person then you just 

described her. She is different. Why can’t you just support me? 

JAMIE sighs 

JAMIE 

Well, I just want the best for you. But inside I will always know I am 

the best for you. And if you think she’s the best, then I understand. 

JACOB 

Jamie, I just don’t want to hurt you. I really like her; you and her 

were friends, what happened to that? 

JAMIE smiles, remembering the 

memories, then sighs 

JAMIE 

I don’t know, Jacob. I don’t even know. She got popular and I didn’t 

and we just went our own paths. And I know you tried your best to be 

friends with the both of us, but somehow. . . I always felt like you 

made more time for her than me. 

JACOB sighs 

JACOB 

No, of course not! It’s just that she made me laugh and she acted like 

she was there for me and plus she got me more outgoing. Jamie, you 

will always have a place in my heart that no one else can be in. 

JAMIE looks at the floor, and smiles

JAMIE 

Jacob, you saying that, makes my day. I’ve dreaming the day you saying 

you care about me. 

JACOB 

Really? Jamie, I’m sorry that I’ve been missing out. I didn’t know it 

would hurt you that bad. I thought you were fine. 

JAMIE 

I wasn’t, and no one can go back into time. But at least now, you 

know. 

JACOB looks glad, yet worried 

JACOB 

Promise, you’ll stop cutting or even trying to hurt yourself? 

Jamie starts tearing up, but tries to laugh away the tears 

I I don’t know, I thin… 

JAMIE 

JACOB interrupts JAMIE 

JACOB 

WHAT? You don’t know, after all that? After I said I care for you? 

JAMIE looks at floor and looks sad. 

But trying not to show it 

JAMIE 

I’ll try, for you. But you don’t know what it feels like, you know if 

you left a drinker inside a room full of beer, he’d be glad to drink 

it, but he would try not to. 

JACOB looks at JAMIE with anger, but 

at the same time he is worried 

JACOB 

Oh. Jamie, I will be there for you, every single step. Until you stop. 

But Jamie, you have to understand, that no one would want that for 

you. NO ONE. 


JACOB (continued) 

Is your cutting; is it all because of me? 


She looks down and sighs but feels 

relieved. JACOB looks at the floor for 

one second, then speaks again 

JAMIE sighs and looks stressed 

JAMIE 

Jacob, yeah kinda. But don’t blame yourself. The other reason is 

because, well you know my family their hobby is fighting with each 

other. 

JACOB looks shocked, yet worried 

JACOB 

Oh, well. I’m sorry about the family and you shouldn’t stress about 

me. You know, I wish you told me about this earlier. 

JAMIE 

You wouldn’t understand! You would just feel bad, that’s all. You have 

no idea how many times I wanted to tell you. 

JACOB gets offended but feels bad and 

worried, speechless. 

JACOB 

I I, I would most likely not understand. I don’t don’t know what to 

say to you. 

JAMIE nods, but smiles 

JAMIE 

Jacob, you have no idea how happy I feel because you understand now. 

JACOB smiles to JAMIE 

JACOB 

Let’s go get ice cream and watch horror movie like we used to, yeah? 

JAMIE laughs

Like old times? 

Just like old times. 

JAMIE 

JACOB nods 

JACOB 

JACOB and JAMIE hug each other, and 

then start walking toward the door. 

The bathroom door opens and SOPHIE 

comes out. 

Hold up, Jamie. I think I forgot my cell phone in the restroom. 

JACOB walks in the bathroom, shocked 

SOPHIE 

WHAT IS GOING ON? Huh! You are in love with me? Jamie is cutting 

herself? WHAT THE… 

JACOB cuts her off, shocked still 

JACOB 

Yeah, Sophie. I’ve been in love with you. I couldn’t say anything 

because I didn’t want it to make us feel awkward. I thought if I kept 

it to myself, nothing would change, and I hoped, oh I hoped….maybe, 

just maybe 

SOPHIE gets angry, but confused 

SOPHIE 

That I would fall in love with you? I couldn’t, Jacob. You are like my 

best friend and you know I have a crush on the football player, Liam. 

JACOB! DID YOU FIND IT? 

JAMIE 

Uh oh. Hi, Sophie. Um, Jacob what is going on?! 

JAMIE walks into the bathroom, all 

eyes go to JAMIE 

JACOB tries to explain but SOPHIE cuts 

him off, she is mad 


SOPHIE 

Well, hi Jamie. You know, you didn’t have to cut yourself because of 

him, and you know we aren’t friends anymore because you became all 

weird and depressed. 


JAMIE gets offensive 

JAMIE 

WHAT!? Weird? That is what I am to you? WEIRD? You know, you changed 

too. Sophie, I thought we could have been friends again. 

SOPHIE looks confused, and laughs 

SOPHIE 

Yeah, you know what, Jamie you are right. I did change, but I changed 

because I wanted to belong and well, as you see. I succeeded! And 

Jacob, I think it’s nice, that you are gonna be there for her. If you 

don’t mind, Jamie….. I kinda would like to be friends again. 

JAMIE and SOPHIE and JACOB smile 

JAMIE 

You know what, Sophie. I wouldn’t mind. Let’s start over. ..HI, I’m 

Jamie. And you are? 

I’m Sophie. 

SOPHIE 

JACOB 

Let’s go to ice cream, like old times! 

JUST LIKE OLD TIMES 

They all hug. 

JAMIE AND SOPHIE 

END

WAKE UP CALL 

By 

David Chavez 

Yeva Kouzovicin 

Esmeralda Ortiz 

Tamar Sarksian 


CHARACTERS 

VICTORIA FROST, 23, an army fiancé who is patiently waiting for her 

fiancé to arrive home. Brunette, blue eyes, pale skin, and average 

height. 

JESSE ROUX, 22, an army wife, best friends with Victoria; she too, is 

waiting for her husband to come home. Dark auburn hair, tall, with 

hazel eyes. 

ALEXANDER GABRIELYAN, 24, a soldier who has passed away from a plane 

crash. 

ETHAN ROUX, 24, he too, is in the army with Alexander. Dark brown 

hair, light skinned, tall, and green eyes. 

TIME 

The present, in the morning 

PLACE 

The living room, on the couch 


VICTORIA and JESSE are sitting on the 

couch with the T.V on, not paying 

attention to it. There is a knock at 

the door. 

VICTORIA 

I still can't believe Alex is coming today! It has been way too long 

since I’ve seen him. 

Yeah, same with Ethan. 

JESSE 

VICTORIA 

I bought Alex that one watch that he's been wanting for so long. 

That's good. 

Jesse, is something wrong? 

JESSE 

VICTORIA 

T.V 

Just now reporting, plane 544 for the army has just crashed, we have 

found out that- 

JESSE 

I should really get started on the food. 

Without listening or looking at the 

T.V, VICTORIA turns it off. 

JESSE starts to stand but VICTORIA 

pulls her arm and puts her on the 

couch 

VICTORIA 

Jesse, whatever is going on right now, you have to tell me. 

Wait a second. 

JESSE opens her mouth, but there is a 

knock at the door 


Are you Victoria Frost? 

Why yes, yes I am. 

I am very sorry to- 

No. 


VICTORIA walks to the door and opens 

it. A man, from his name tag, named 

SERGEANT Jack Rios is standing at the 

door 

SERGEANT 

VICTORIA 

VICTORIA said questionably 

SERGEANT 

VICTORIA 

SERGEANT 

I am very sorry to inform you that- 

This isn't happening. 

VICTORIA 

SERGEANT 

I am very sorry to inform that your fiancé, Alexander Gabrielyan has 

passed away. 

WHY?! HOW?! 

VICTORIA stood there and thought of 

all the amazing memories they had 

together. Once she stopped, the tears 

came rushing out. 

VICTORIA 

SERGEANT 

He was on board the 544 plane and it crashed. 

VICTORIA 

What?! How many people were found dead?

SERGEANT 

Sadly, he was the only one. All the other ones were injured. 

JESSE 

It's okay Vicky; I'm here for you. 

SERGEANT 

Again, I'm very sorry for your loss. 

VICTORIA sobbed even more. JESSE comes 

to comfort her. 

SERGEANT leaves 

VICTORIA 

VICTORIA yelling, and crying at the 

same time 

I told him not to go. I knew something bad would happen, I knew it, I 

hate myself for letting him go. Why? Why does everything bad happen to 

me?!! 

JESSE 

Vicky please calm down I hate to see you like this. I know how you 

feel. 

VICTORIA 

No, no I won’t, and you don’t know how it feels like, because you’ve 

always been the one with the perfect life, perfect husband, and 

nothing’s ever happened to you, it all happens to me!! 

JESSE 

JESSE starts talking calmly 

O.K maybe you’re right, I don’t know what it feels like, but I do know 

for a fact that it hurts, and if that ever happened to me I would 

literally… 

VICTORIA 

Just stop! I don’t wanna hear it! 


But- 

I think you should leave. 


JESSE 

VICTORIA 

JESSE 

I couldn’t tell because the army wouldn’t allow us to! 

VICTORIA 

I don’t care what the army says, you’re my best friend and you 

should’ve told me! 

There is another knock at the door, 

VICTORIA goes to open it. ETHAN 

enters. 

ETHAN 

I just saw the sergeant leave, I’m so sorry for your loss. How do you 

feel, are you a bit better? You know the doctor said not to over exert 

yourself. 

VICTORIA 

You should be, since you guys have known it before me. 

ETHAN 

I just found out yesterday! We were advised not tell anyone. You know 

that Victoria. 

VICTORIA 

I don’t care; I would’ve done the same if it happened for you. But 

that wouldn’t, because you guys are too perfect. 

JESSE 

ETHAN HAS TYPE 1 DIABETES! THERE I SAID IT. 

ETHAN 

Why would you tell her?! I told you not to tell anyone. I don’t want 

anybody to worry about me. 

VICTORIA 

I so sorry Ethan, I had no idea.

ETHAN 

We can talk about all of this later. But, what I’m worried about most 

is how you’re feeling Vicky. 

VICTORIA 

I’m obviously not feeling, but I’m going to try and work through this. 

JESSE 

When were you planning on telling us? 

Telling you what? 

When? 

When Alex came home. 

While ETHAN and VICTORIA are talking, 

JESSE goes to the bathroom. JESSE 

walks out with a trashcan in her hand. 

VICTORIA and ETHAN stop talking and 

look at JESSE 

VICTORIA 

JESSE 

VICTORIA 

ETHAN 

Wait, wait, what’s going on here? 

JESSE 

Our friend, Victoria here didn’t tell us that she’s pregnant! 

VICTORIA 

I was planning on telling you guys, but… 

JESSE cuts her off 

JESSE 

How dare you get mad at us for not telling you something, when you 

were hiding something all along! And not just something. A HUMAN 

BEING. 


VICTORIA 

ALRIGHT! I’m sorry! I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you guys! I’m sorry 

that I got mad at you- I’m just sorry. 

JESSE 

No, it’s okay. I’m happy for you. I’m sorry. 


VICTORIA gets down on her knees and 

starts to cry. JESSE and ETHAN run up 

to VICTORIA and hug her. 

VICTORIA 

Thank you. But, what am I going to do? My baby has no father. 

JESSE 

Congratulations Vic! I can’t believe it my best friend is having a ba- 

Vicki! Why are you crying?! 

VICTORIA starts to burst out in tears. 

VICTORIA 

Because the father of my baby won’t be here to see his beautiful son. 

JESSE 

Oh Victoria, don’t you get it? This is great for you because you will 

have something to remember him by. Your son will be like Alex never 

passed away. 

VICTORIA 

I guess that’s good, but why would I want to mourn over his death 

instead of moving on? 

JESSE 

Just think about it, if your son has Alexander’s DNA, he will grow to 

be as amazing as Alex was. And with a wonderful mother like you, 

nothing bad will ever happen. Your son will bring you joy, and make 

you forget about this tragic time. 

VICTORIA 

Jess, you help me through everything. Thank you so much!

JESSE 

Of course. Ethan and I will help you get back on your feet and find 

you a job until everything is settled. Like I said, no matter what 

happens, we will always love and be there for you. 

VICTORIA 

You guys are amazing, I love you. 


Acknowledgements 



Bernard Addison, CTG Teaching Artist 

Theatre Banshee, Partner Theatre 

John Paramos, Principal (2010-2012) 

Dr. Daniel L. Hacking, Principal (2009-2010) 

Rod Rothacher, 8th grade teacher (2011-2012) 

Lynn Rothacher, 7th grade teacher (2010-2011) 

Erin Willson, 6th grade teacher (2009-2010) 

PARTICIPATING STUDENTS 

Loudvik Abrami* 

Paulina Aghakhani* 

Arthur Arutyunyan 

Lilit Balbuchakyan* 

Sierra C. 

Nina Cavalheiro* 

David Chavez* 

Charlene Chua 

Paulo Claure 

Chelsy Cordon* 

Angelica De Jesus 

Emily Diep 

Zeinab Fakhreddine* 

Daniella Felipe* 

Mariah Gonzalez 

Sarah Gu 

Matthew Harkness* 

Sean Hovanesian* 

Micaela J. 

Sarell Janoian 

Sarah Jully 

Meri Khachikyan 

Yeva Kouzovicin* 

Sara Larson* 

Dalar Manooki* 

Chyann Matthews* 

Alex McPherson 

Gilbert Nazari* 

Christopher Noriega* 

Kevin Orellana 

Esmeralda Ortiz* 

Brian P. 

Johnrock Pacuribot 

Anna Park* 

Germaine Pasamonte 

Leo Parseghian 

Kiera Pauff* 

Andre Poladian* 

Athena Poulos 

Rimyland Rezko 

Tamar Sarkisian* 

Aimee Snow 

Kristen Stoner* 

Nathan Sulkes 

Melanie Surarith* 

Angela Tashchyan 

Manuel Ter- 

Stepanyan* 

Shant Terzyan* 

Troy Weaver* 

Jean Michel Vives 

Brenda Zepeda* 

*Indicates students 

who participated in 

2011-2012, the year in 

which the plays in this 

anthology were created. 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

Peggy Flynn, District Arts Coordinator, Burbank Unified School District

Center Theatre Group Board Education 

and Community Partnerships Committee 

2011-2012 

Laura Rosenwald, Chair 

William H. Ahmanson 

Debra G. Bishton 

Diana Buckhantz 

Joseph C. Carieri 

Doug Cordell 

Ava Fries 

Darell L. Krasnoff 

Antonio Manning 

Martin Massman 

Diane Morton 

Edward L. Rada 

Michael Ritchie 

Dan Sernett 

Eva Stern 

Rosalind Zane 

Education and Community Partnerships 

Leslie K. Johnson 

Director of Education and Community 

Partnerships 

Debra Piver 

Associate Director of Education and 

Community Partnerships 

Traci Cho 

Director of School Partnerships 

Patricia Garza 

Senior Manager of Education and 


Camille Schenkkan 

Educational Programs Manager 

Carla Corona 

Educational Programs Associate 

Dan Harper 


Ashley Opstad 


Kelly Christ 

Educational Communications Coordinator 

Victor Vazquez 

Educational Services Coordinator 

Shannon Winston 

Assistant to the Director of Education and 


Center Theatre Group’s Mission 

Center Theatre Group’s mission is to serve the diverse audiences of 

Los Angeles by producing and presenting theatre of the highest 

caliber, by nurturing new artists, by attracting new audiences, and by 

developing youth outreach and education programs. This mission is 

based on the belief that the art of theatre is a cultural force with the 

capacity to transform the lives of individuals and society at large. 

Education and Engagement 

Theatre is an enduring and powerful tool for communicating ideas, 

stories, emotions and beliefs that fuel the intellect, imagination 

and creative spirit. Center Theatre Group believes that stimulating 

awareness, creativity, dialogue and an inquisitive mind is integral to the 

growth and well-being of the individual and the community; and that 

nurturing a life-long appreciation of the arts leads inextricably to an 

engaged and enlightened society. 

Vision 

Center Theatre Group enjoys a deep and interactive relationship with 

its patrons, and offers multiple points of entry and engagement for 

theatregoers of all ages, backgrounds and prior experience. Through 

a wide range of classes, workshops, seminars, events, discussions 

and resources, our audience members gain a heightened awareness, 

understanding and appreciation of the art of theatre. Center Theatre 

Group is a leading investor in the personal and artistic development 

of young artists, arts professionals and audience members. Young 

people regularly work alongside Center Theatre Group professionals to 

learn the art, craft and business of theatre. Young people are integrated 

throughout our work as interns, apprentices, mentees, colleagues and 

advisors. Center Theatre Group cultivates relationships with a network 

of educators and targets key communities for in-depth educational 

partnerships. Identifying and maximizing opportunities for learning 

and participation are a basic part of Center Theatre Group’s culture and 

daily work.

“You write for your 

audience and for 

yourself, so you feel 

confident about it. 

You think harder.” 

–Student Participant 

The Middle School Playwriting Program also received generous support from Diana Buckhantz & 

Vladimir & Araxia Buckhantz Foundation and the Dwight Stuart Youth Fund. 

Our Education and Engagement programs would not be possible without gifts from generous individuals like you! 

Log onto http://www.centertheatregroup.org/giving to learn more about making an impact in arts education 

by supporting the Education & Community Partnerships Department.

John Muir Middle School - Center Theatre Group

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