Night of the Living Dead Live!
WRITTEN BY CHRISTOPHER BOND, DALE BOYER, AND TREVOR MARTIN
CREATED BY CHRISTOPHER HARRISON AND PHIL PATTISON
Directed by Joseph Johnson and Shelby Frye
October 13th - 29th, 2023
- Friday, August 18th at 7pm
- Saturday, August 19th at 7pm
Six strangers in a lonely farmhouse, surrounded by brain-eating zombies – what could go wrong?
Night of the Living Dead™ Live is a fun and hilarious re-imagining of George A. Romero’s legendary classic. Set in 1968 and presented in all black and white, it literally feels like the film has been brought to life and placed onstage. The play lovingly examines the movie itself, the period in which it was made, and the film’s undying influence on the horror genre.
Night of the Living Dead™, the film, was produced at a time of incredible social and political upheaval. The film was met with controversy for featuring an African American protagonist and realistic horror images; and yet, possibly the most controversial element to Night of The Living Dead™ was the ending… Everybody dies! Even the hero doesn’t survive.
More than just a recreation of the story, the play celebrates the history and influence of the movie. Through a series of multiple endings, the characters are all faced with different issues and challenges while desperately trying to survive the night. However, their contrasting personalities and agendas always seem to prevent the group from working together. Which leaves us all wondering: Could anyone survive a night of the living dead?
Audition Requirements
- No monologue is necessary. The audition will consist of cold readings from the script.
- A headshot and resume are recommended but not required.
- Please bring a detailed list of conflicts for the next 3 months.
Roles
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Ben – Male
The Hero of the story. African American male, late twenties. Outspoken, a good leader.
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Barbra – Female
Early twenties, female, slowly regresses into a child-like state as the traumatic events unfold around her.
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Tom – Male
Young man, handsome, bright-eyed. Judy’s boyfriend.
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Judy – Female
Young woman, girl-next-door. Tom’s girlfriend.
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Harry – Male
30s-40s, male. Curmudgeonly, working-class man. Antagonistic and weasley. Helen’s husband and Karen’s father.
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Helen – Female
30s-40s, woman. Dry, world-weary homemaker. Unamused wife of Harry and mother of Karen.
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Chief McClelland – Male
Late 30s, male, small town sheriff. Folksy and pragmatic.
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Vince – Male
Chief McClelland’s young deputy, male. Local volunteer. A little idealistic, and loyal to the chief.
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Johnny – Male
Barbra’s brother. 20s-30s, becomes one of the living dead early on.
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Zombies – Various
4-5 actors to play the living dead throughout the play.
This project is being supported in whole or in part, by federal award number 21.027 awarded to the City of Knoxville by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Arts & Culture Alliance