For this week’s selection of theatre on a budget, we’re zooming in on theatre influenced by popular media both classic and modern. From fiction novels to iPhone apps, television, video games and trivia – there’s something here for everyone “in the know” on media culture.

6 Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello (Ryerson Theatre School). A company of actors encounter six characters who have been abandoned by their author. Opens Oct 4 and runs to Oct 10, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $18, stu/srs $14. Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryerson.ca/theatre.

Clockwork [Orange Is The New] Black The Dandies present an improvised narrative about privilege in today’s society, inspired by novels by Anthony Burgess and Piper Kerman. Opens Sep 23 and runs to Oct 7, Mon Mondays 7:30 pm. $5. Measure, 296 Brunswick. improvdandies.wordpress.com.

Fixed by Zack Russell (Videofag). Gay inventors look for their pleasure fix from 1950s London to 2050 Los Angeles. Opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 13, Sep 26-29 Thu and Sat-Sun 8 pm, Fri 9 pm, Oct 9-13 Wed-Sun 8 pm (no shows Sep 30-Oct 8). $10, Oct 9 pwyc. 187 Augusta. fixed.eventbrite.com.

Toronto Theatre Trivia Game Show (Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts). Watch four teams duke it out and get in on the action for prizes, with host Thom Allison. Oct 7 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. whatisthegame.ca.

The Video Game Show (Bad Dog Theatre) presents unscripted comedy, gameplay and discussion inspired by classic and current games w/ Kris Siddiqi, Sarah Hillier, Alice Moran, Sean Tabares and others. Opens Oct 2 and runs to Oct 16, Wednesdays 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.