NOLLYWOOD DREAMS
A play by
Jocelyn Bioh
SAMPLE (2015)
Representation:
United Talent Agency
Rachel Viola
212.500.3213
ii.
Characters
(all characters are of West African descent)
Ayamma Okafor - 20's/early 30's - aspriring Nigerian film actress but
isn't very good. Works as a travel agent/secretary at her parents'
office. She is a big dreamer and hopes for a better life for herself as
a famous actress.
Dede Okafor - 20's/30's - Ayamma's older sister. She works (lazily) at
her parents' travel agency. She loves all things pop culture: talk shows,
soap operas, and celebrities, she loves it all. Close with Ayamma but
also serves as Ayamma's truth serum when need be.
Gbenga Ezie - 30's - Rising Nigerian film director. Is known to be rich
and has studied in America but harbors dangerous secrets to his
success.
Wale Owusu - 20's/30's - Nigeria's hottest rising star. He is half
Ghanaian and half Nigerian. He is constantly being hit on by women but
they rarely ever get to know him or his story. Quietly confident.
Fayola Ogunleye - 20's/30's - wildly referred to as "The Nigerian Halle
Berry with Tina Turner Legs" as she is very beautiful and very sexy.
She is pompous and arrogant and will say anything to get her way
regardless of how it makes her look. She views Ayamma is her prime
competition.
Adenikeh - Late 30's/Early 40's - The Nigerian "Oprah Winfrey"; (as
written) this character appears only in recorded segments (director
may take liberties.)
Television Announcer/Movie Trailer Voice - 20's and/or older; male - is
iii.
the voice behind the television and on the movie trailer for "The
Comfort Zone."
Setting
Lagos, Nigeria - Early 1990's
Notes From The Playwright
In the 1990 's, Nigeria, in the midst of economic and political turmoil,
saw an explosion of films being produced. Many of the themes of these
films dealt with love and family issues but were rooted in subtext
about the political strife/temperature of the country. In one of the
most popular films, a man falls in love with two women: a commoner and
the daughter of the president. Veiled in the cloak of a love triangle, we
follow the main character's dilemma as he tries to choose living like the
upper crust of Nigeria or a life of squalor with his (perhaps, true love)
commoner. Mainly released on video cds (as they are easier to copy
than dvds) these films grossed such high revenue, by the early 2000's,
"Nollywood" became and remains the 2nd highest producing film
industry in the world ("Bollywood" is 1st and the American film industry
is 3rd.) The quality of these films are usually low budget and are mainly
improved by the actors based on loosely outlined storylines.
These are films of my youth. I watched many of these films getting my
hair done at my Aunt's house or sitting in the heat of my mother's home
all day on our family trips to Ghana. This play is my imagining of what it
was like when the film industry in West Africa (namely Nigeria) was
beginning to take the world by storm.
ACT ONE SCENE ONE: OKAFOR LIVING ROOM
Early Evening. Dede enters from the kitchen and hurries to sit
excitedly in front of the television with a batch of cookies and
some warm tea in tow. She is nearly bursting with joy as the
television announcer is heard.
TELEVISION ANNOUNCER (O.S/V.O)
(West African Accent)
Stay Tuned! Coming up next is a brand
new episode of Adenikeh, where she
interviews one of Nigeria’s biggest
rising stars!
ADENIKEH (O.S/V.O)
(think “African Oprah”)
Yes ladies! It’s the beautiful, the
gorgeous and very talented, WALE
OWUSU!
Dede claps and screams along with the women in the audience on
television.
TELEVISION ANNOUNCER
So stay tuned for an all new episode
of:
DEDE
(singing along with the
television, off key - smooth
jazz kind of sound)
“Adenikeh! Bringing love into your
home!”
2.
As Dede eats her cookies, Ayamma enters the front door. She
kicks off her shoes excitedly and nearly jumps onto the couch
joining Dede.
AYAMMA
Dede! I have some wonderful news!
DEDE
Eh-eh, watch it! You will spill my tea.
AYAMMA
Oh sorry. I’m just so excited!
DEDE
Making all this fuss.. What is it, eh? Adenikeh is about to come on and she’s
interviewing my future husband.
What is this book you have?
AYAMMA
This is the script for that new Gbenga
Ezie movie I was telling you about.
DEDE
(eating cookies)
Okay... So, what are you going to do
with that?
Audition!
AYAMMA
Small pause. Dede chews.
Eh?
DEDE
3.
AYAMMA
Come on Dede, you know that my true
passion is acting.
DEDE
Still? But.... You are not... Good.
AYAMMA
You say what?
DEDE
Ayamma, where is this even coming
from? I have not heard you talking
about this for a long time.
AYAMMA
What do you mean? First above all, I
was in that play that Pastor Grant
wrote when I was eight years old.
DEDE
And you were not good then. It is only
we were in church, we could not be
honest.
AYAMMA
And what about secondary school?
That ice cream advertisement I did,
remember?
DEDE
Also... very bad.
AYAMMA
Well, it doesn’t matter. I know that I
am perfect for this part.
4.
DEDE
Oh, so it’s a silent film.
AYAMMA
(ignores the comment)
It’s like I always say, all you have to
have is good looks. The director will do
the rest.
DEDE
Mmm, hmm, does is pay?
AYAMMA
(ignoring question)
Okay, so... Gbenga Ezie - this really
amazing director - the one who comes
from that rich family who own all
those computer companies - well now,
some of his brothers help him run his
“Nollywood Dreams Movie Studio”
AND he even studied film at New
York University! Where Spike Lee
attended!
Who?
DEDE
AYAMMA
Anyway, he’s going about casting this
movie the way it is done in America! “A
Casting Call!” He is determined to
find a “fresh face” for the lead role.
DEDE
(not impressed)
Eh heh... Does it pay?
5.
AYAMMA
I’m telling you Dede! This could be my
big break! Can you imagine? Your little
sister... Me... My name in the lights...
Ayamma Okafor starring as “Comfort
Aleshinloye” in “The Comfort Zone.”
‘De what?
DEDE
AYAMMA
That’s the name of the movie - “The
Comfort Zone.”... There was a whole
interview Gbenga did in the newspaper
about it. I’m telling you - Nigerian
movies are getting bigger and bigger.
This is going to be huge. They think it
might even crossover into America!
Small pause. Dede chews.
DEDE
Ayamma.... I don’t mean to pop your
bubble sky dreams or whatever, but if
this movie is going to be “so big,” why
would they put some nobody like you in
it?
AYAMMA
Hello! “Fresh Face?!”
DEDE
That is fresh to you?
6.
AYAMMA
You are not going to make jokes when
I tell you the best part: Guess who is
playing the leading man?
DEDE
Denzel Washington?
AYAMMA
No.... Think on it.
DEDE
Eh.... His brother?
AYAMMA
No Dede... It’s Wale Owusu.
DEDE
Wale Owusu?!
Yes.
AYAMMA
DEDE
As in my future husband?
Yes!
AYAMMA
DEDE
You mean, you will actually get to
touch Wale Owusu?
AYAMMA
Not just touch... Kiss him!
DEDE
EHHH! We have to get in this mpvie!
7.
I know!
AYAMMA
DEDE
So... how much does it pay.
AYAMMA
Is that all you are concerned about?
DEDE
Other than Wale Owusu - Yes.
AYAMMA
Okay, listen. When I tell you, you have
to promise not to scream. I don’t want
all of the neighbors to hear... And
before you ask, no, you cannot have
half of it.
How much?
DEDE
AYAMMA
(deep breath)
Two thousand dollars.
DEDE
Dollars? He’s paying in American
money?! How much is that in Naira?
AYAMMA
Three... hundred... thousand... Naira.
DEDE
For one movie?
Ayamma nods her head excitedly.
8.
DEDE (CONT’D)
Ayamma, if we do enough of these
movies... WE ARE GOING TO BE
RICH!
AYAMMA
Shhhh! DedeDEDE
Think of all the things we can buyDede-
AYAMMA
DEDE
And I can finally get all those
expensive clothes I have been eyeing
at the marketDede-
AYAMMA
DEDE
Oh! And we can move into a nice flat
out of the city! You know, we should
probably just a make list of things
that we need. Do you have a pencil and
paper?
AYAMMA
Dede, just calm down.
Ayamma laughs. She can’t help her excitement either.
AYAMMA (CONT’D)
We can celebrate AFTER I actually
get the part, eh.
9.
DEDE
Okay, okay. I just cannot believe this!
AYAMMA
I know, me too! But I cannot get
caught up in thinking about money. I
need to focus.... Look here, help me
practice. My audition is in one week
and I want to be off book by then.
DEDE
Which book?
AYAMMA
OFF book. It is how American actors
say “memorize.”
DEDE
These people. As if learning English is
not hard enough.
AYAMMA
(gives Dede the script)
Okay, so you’re going read all of the
lines that say “James.”
DEDE
(smitten)
Is that who Wale is going to play?
AYAMMA
Yes. And I’m going to read for
“Comfort.” Let’s just go ahead and
read the scene for cold(proud of herself)
(MORE)
10.
AYAMMA (CONT'D)
-that means for the first time - and
then we’ll go back.
DEDE
(chews cookie)
Okay.
Ayamma begins a long version of what she thinks is “actor” prep
before launching into the scene.
AYAMMA
(Melodramatic)
“But why didn’t you tell me? All this
time I’ve been here waiting for you to
come back to me. Only to find out you
have a wife... A family... and a job that
you cannot leave.”
DEDE
(chews, uninvested)
“Oh Comfort. If only you know how
much I want to be with you.”
AYAMMA
“With me? Oh please. Actions speak
louder than words James!”
DEDE
“You don’t know how many times my
heart beats for you when I lay in bed
at night. And how I dream of being
your liver.”
AYAMMA
(breaking character)
Lover.
11.
DEDE
Fine, “Lover.” Ah! But why are these
words so small? I can barely see.
AYAMMA
Dede please. Just ... Pay attention. I
want to be perfect.
DEDE
(sucks teeth)
Whatever. But as soon as Adenikeh
comes on, I’m done.
AYAMMA
Fine. Where was I? Ah yes...
(back in character)
“Well if you dream of us being
together, why don’t you just leave
your wife? Be with me. Let us stay
here and live our lives together.
Forever!”
DEDE
“You don’t understand.. It is so
complicated. I just don’t know what to
do.”
(sucks teeth)
It doesn’t sound complicated to me.
He is going to leave his wife, children
and green card in America to come
here and live with you in some run
down flat in Lagos? This movie is
stupid.
12.
AYAMMA
(snatching the script back
from Dede)
It’s not stupid. It’s about love.
What would you know about that
anyway?
DEDE
I know about love ... I’m in love with
Wale Owusu. And that is the only
reason I will buy this movie... Oh and
the money we will get.
AYAMMA
Eh, I will get.
DEDE
Yeah, yeah, you will get some too.
They laugh a bit.
AYAMMA
Can you imagine? Me... Being an
actress. Finally leaving the travel
agency and living my REAL dream.
DEDE
(wasn’t listening)
Oh, speaking of which, make sure that
you are in the office early tomorrow.
Daddy has a big account with some
students from Europe and he wants to
make sure you handle everything.
AYAMMA
Ah, why can’t you do it?
13.
DEDE
Well, first above all, you are the only
one who knows how to use a computer.
And anyway, I’m older than you. I have
other things to do.
AYAMMA
Like what? Sit in Mary’s hair salon all
day and talk about what is happening on
“Days of Our Lives?”
DEDE
Eh-eh! You need to watch it. Mary was
telling me that she thinks Marlena is
finally going to escape from Stefano’s
prison lair... I’m telling you. It’s good.
AYAMMA
I think it’s best if I spend my time
working on this script, thank you.
DEDE
(offering cookie)
Want one?
AYAMMA
No, no. I need to watch my figure.
DEDE
(sucks teeth ... eats)
Oh please.
TELEVISION ANNOUNCER
And now, please welcome your friend
and teacher -
14.
DEDE
Ooh, ooh, ooh! Shhh, it’s on now!
The “theme music” to Adenikeh begins to play.
DEDE (CONT’D)
(singing along, off key)
“Adenikeh! Bringing love into your
home!”
ADENIKEH (O.S/V.O)
Hello everyone and welcome to
Adenikeh. Thank you for letting me
bring love into your home.
Light claps from the audience is heard.
Ehhh!
ADENIKEH (CONT’D)
And today, I’m bringing you more than
just love - as I will be interviewing
one of the brightest actors in what
critics around the world are now
calling the Nigerian Film Industry “Nollywood.” He will be starring in the
highly anticipated Gbenga Ezie film,
“The Comfort Zone” slated to be
released on home video later this
year.
DEDE
AYAMMA
Ehhh!
ADENIKEH (CONT’D)
Audience please help me welcome, the
beautiful, the gorgeous and the very
talented, WALE OWUSU!
15.
Dede and Ayamma cheer and clap along with the audience. As they
cheer and ogle over Wale, the power goes out. It is completely
dark with the exception of a few candles placed around the living
room.
AYAMMA
Ah, is it lights out already?
DEDE
(sucks teeth)
First on the list when we are rich - a
generator.
ADENIKEH EPISODE CLIP - 1
A video projection (or perhaps live?) comes down in front of the
stage. Adenikeh is the midst of an interview with Wale Owusu.
ADENIKEH
Welcome back to Adenikeh. We are
sitting here with the talented and
very charming Wale Owusu.
Light claps from the audience.
WALE
Thank you so much for having me on.
ADENIKEH
It is most certainly my pleasure.
Now, Wale, while many of us have
marveled at your work on the movie
screen, I am sure your devoted fans
would like to know how close are you
to the characters you play.
16.
“Oooh’s” are heard from the audience.
WALE
(laughs)
Oh, I am not like a lot of the
characters I portray in the films. I
would like to think that my parents
raised me well.
ADENIKEH
Yes, your mother, now a retired nurse
moved to Ghana in her younger years,
where she met your father. From what
I understand, they had quite a
romantic 1st meeting, yes?
WALE
Yes, one day my father had an
altercation with someone outside of a
disco and broke his nose - he was a bit
rough around the edges in those times.
Anyway, my mother was the nurse on
staff that day and she brought him
back to health. And the rest is history,
as they say.
ADENIKEH
(to audience)
Audience, isn’t that romantic?
“Oooh’s and Awww’s” from the audience coupled with light claps.
ADENIKEH (CONT’D)
A story of love wrapped in God’s
Favor...
(MORE)
17.
ADENIKEH (CONT’D)
And speaking of marriage, I’m sure
many of my viewers would like me to
inquire as to whether you are
connected to any particular woman?
WALE
(smiling his winning smile)
No, no, I am not. I am still in search
for the one.
ADENIKEH
Well I am sure I have plenty of
volunteers to be “your one” in my
audience today, eh?
The audience, mainly the women, clap and scream with spirited
delight.
ADENIKEH (CONT’D)
Well, Wale I want to talk with you
more about your upcoming movies and
your feelings on being named
(pulls out magazine)
“Nigeria’s Sexiest Man Born”
Look at you!
The audience of women clap and scream a bit louder at the sight
of Wale’s magazine cover.
WALE
(laughs)
Oh goodness. I am very flattered.
Thank you.
18.
ADENIKEH
(to camera)
Please keep your television set to this
program. We will be back with more of
Wale Owusu on Adenikeh!
The Adenikeh theme song plays out. The screen ascends back into
place off stage.