Finally Quiet in My Head by Cristina A. Bejan

"Finally Quiet in my Head" tells the story of native Washingtonian Morgan and her unlikely friendship with Gerard, the Senegalese man whose humor and kind spirit might have saved Morgan inside the hospital. It explores the struggles Morgan’s family and friends face when coming to terms with Morgan’s mental illness, and the inability for her loved ones and doctors alike to understand what it means for...
"Finally Quiet in my Head" tells the story of native Washingtonian Morgan and her unlikely friendship with Gerard, the Senegalese man whose humor and kind spirit might have saved Morgan inside the hospital. It explores the struggles Morgan’s family and friends face when coming to terms with Morgan’s mental illness, and the inability for her loved ones and doctors alike to understand what it means for her. This play examines the intersections between mental illness and race, gender-based violence, and socio-economic status, all within the context of the District of Columbia. Setting: The psychiatric ward of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in SE Washington DC; the home of the Walkers in NE DC and the apartment of Tosha in New York City. The time is now.

"Finally Quiet In my Head" has been published in Bejan's play anthology "FINALLY QUIET: Four Plays from Bucharest to Washington DC" with No Passport Press in 2023. You can order the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or by contacting Bejan directly via her website: cristinaabejan.com
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Finally Quiet in My Head

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Character Information

Deborah and Anthony Walker are successful ambitious professionals living and working in Washington DC. Morgan is their only child. They are a Catholic family and are active parishioners of St. Augustine Catholic Church. Morgan and Tosha graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School in NE.

  • Morgan
    early 20s,
    African-American
    ,
    Female
    ambitious woman who suffers a nervous breakdown, loyal friend
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Gerard
    mid-20s,
    African - Senegal
    ,
    Male
    kind personality, mischievous, playful
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Deborah Walker
    50s/60s,
    African-American
    ,
    Female
    Morgan's mother.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Anthony Walker
    50s/60s,
    African American
    ,
    Male
    Morgan's father
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Dr. Raj
    30s/40s,
    South Asian
    ,
    Female
    young psychiatric doctor
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Tosha
    20s,
    African-American
    ,
    Female
    Morgan's best friend
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Kennedy Center - Page to Stage Festival
    ,
    2015

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    DC Black Theatre Festival
    ,
    2015

Awards

Finalist
,
Oxford University New Writing Festival
,
Oxford University Dramatic Society
,
2006