The Oktavist

by Vince Gatton

[SHORT] In a small church in Imperial Russia, Father Kirill is approached by the scion of a prominent local family for a favor: the young man is convinced it's his divine calling to be an oktavist, one of the legendary ultra-deep-voiced singers in Russian liturgical music. That calling, and much else, will now be put to the test.

WINNER, The Gary Garrison Playwriting Award for 10-Minute Plays

[SHORT] In a small church in Imperial Russia, Father Kirill is approached by the scion of a prominent local family for a favor: the young man is convinced it's his divine calling to be an oktavist, one of the legendary ultra-deep-voiced singers in Russian liturgical music. That calling, and much else, will now be put to the test.

WINNER, The Gary Garrison Playwriting Award for 10-Minute Plays

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The Oktavist

Recommended by

  • Bailey Jordan Garcia: The Oktavist by Vince Gatton
    “

    "Sometimes…God gives you the desire, but the wrong equipment." Gorgeous. Sad. Beautiful. Gatton gracefully brings us into this rich world with fully fleshed out characters that you instantly root for. A truly brilliant piece that I'd love to see staged.

    "Sometimes…God gives you the desire, but the wrong equipment." Gorgeous. Sad. Beautiful. Gatton gracefully brings us into this rich world with fully fleshed out characters that you instantly root for. A truly brilliant piece that I'd love to see staged.

    ”
  • Mark Loewenstern: The Oktavist by Vince Gatton
    “

    Powerful and also subtle. Deeply moving and full of dangers and yet somehow also sweet and funny. In THE OKTAVIST, Gatton masterfully weaves many threads together to satisfying, compelling effect. Deserving of many productions. Bravo!

    Powerful and also subtle. Deeply moving and full of dangers and yet somehow also sweet and funny. In THE OKTAVIST, Gatton masterfully weaves many threads together to satisfying, compelling effect. Deserving of many productions. Bravo!

    ”
  • David Hilder: The Oktavist by Vince Gatton
    “

    A beautiful play, perfectly scaled to capture both the moment it represents and the current moment we're living in. Moving and funny and, yes, sad. Hooray for Vince Gatton.

    A beautiful play, perfectly scaled to capture both the moment it represents and the current moment we're living in. Moving and funny and, yes, sad. Hooray for Vince Gatton.

    ”
View all 33 recommendations

Character Information

Father Kirill, 40s-50s, Russian, priest and choirmaster
Dimitri Semyonovich Balakin, 20s, Russian, son of a prominent local family
  • Father Kirill
    Local priest and choirmaster of St. Sophia's church near St. Petersburg, Father Kirill is handy, diplomatic, insightful, warm, and, when he has to be, firm. He knows things.
    40s - 50s
    White
    Male Identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Dimitri
    The well-dressed young scion of a prominent local family, Dimitri is eager, energetic, awkward, funny, clueless, and entirely sincere. The last great lovable dork in Imperial Russia.
    20s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Awards

  • Gary Garrison Playwriting Award for Ten Minute Plays
    The Tusculum Review
    Winner
    2023