[working title: STRAW POLL]

by Nick Malakhow

The diverse board of Springfield’s yearly Pride celebration is just putting the final touches on planning three days before Pride when a video drops on social media of their Grand Marshal--the city’s first gay politician--putting down Black Lives Matter protesters. The video ignites a heated conversation in the boardroom about who Pride is for, intersectional queer activism, and whether there can or should be...

The diverse board of Springfield’s yearly Pride celebration is just putting the final touches on planning three days before Pride when a video drops on social media of their Grand Marshal--the city’s first gay politician--putting down Black Lives Matter protesters. The video ignites a heated conversation in the boardroom about who Pride is for, intersectional queer activism, and whether there can or should be any consensus or unity in the fight for queer liberation.

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[working title: STRAW POLL]

Recommended by

  • Marty Strenczewilk: [working title: STRAW POLL] by Nick Malakhow
    “

    Nick's writing overall is incredibly strong, with fascinating characters tackling interesting challenges across well built story structure. I was lucky enough to hear this play in particular throughout the development process, as a part of the same writers group. Nick has crafted a deeply resonate story that will connect with audiences through the common shared experience of being othered at some point in many people's life. I can't wait to see this play on stage in full production.

    Nick's writing overall is incredibly strong, with fascinating characters tackling interesting challenges across well built story structure. I was lucky enough to hear this play in particular throughout the development process, as a part of the same writers group. Nick has crafted a deeply resonate story that will connect with audiences through the common shared experience of being othered at some point in many people's life. I can't wait to see this play on stage in full production.

    ”

Character Information

All of the characters listed below are queer in some way.
  • BEN
    Heads up entertainment due to his ownership of a Lucky’s, a bar that is a social hub of LGBTQ Springfield, and helps Kate with fundraising due to his connections with older gay men. Eight years on the board. Was not voted board president in the recent election after his two year term was up. A lot of bark…maybe just a little bite.
    50s-60s
    White
    Cis male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • KATE
    Newly elected board president. Lawyer is her “real life secret identity.” Has been on the board for six years. Drafts contracts for everything, co-heads fundraising with Ben, and heads up finances. Firm and pragmatic, maybe at the expense of some interpersonal intelligence.
    50s
    White
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • KENDALL
    they/them or she/her, Black, femme or AFAB nonbinary or cis female; queer. Newest board member (just started seven months ago) and the org’s media coordinator. Juggling multiple jobs and “grad studenting” to get their MA in history. Kate is sponsoring them as a board member to bring new perspectives onto the board. While they speak their mind, they’re nervous and anxious every second of doing so. Written with they/them pronouns, but adjust based on casting within the parameters above.
    mid 20s
    Black,
    African American,
    Afro-Latine
    AFAB nonbinary,
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • ANDREW
    Brought onto the board by Kate, whose kids he teaches. Co-volunteer coordinator and coordinator of youth outreach. Has been on the board for four years. His fees are also partially subsidized by Kate. Reserved and careful.
    Late 30s-early 40s
    Black,
    multiracial with Black heritage,
    afro-latino
    Cis male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • THERESA
    A professor of women’s studies and film. Co-volunteer coordinator for Pride. Fourth year on the board. At times, willing to push and be dogged in meetings, but in the end can be cautious with votes.
    50s
    White
    a trans woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • MARTIN
    Computer programmer working at Google and contributes tech support, website and online customer interface management, and knowledge to the board. Second year on the board. Timid.
    Mid-late 20s
    White/Caucasian or White Latino
    Cis male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Commission, Island City Stage, 2021

Awards