Theatrefolk Featured Play – Gothic Ghost Stories by Lindsay Price

Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight. Large cast staging options, ghoulish make-up opportunities and a modern adaptation of Victorian ghost stories. Intrigued? Learn more about the high school drama/mystery Gothic Ghost Stories by Lindsay Price.

Murdered twins. A lost heart. Evil in the painting. A girl and her mother frozen to death. These are a few of the Gothic ghosts whose stories are dying to be told in this creepy character-filled adaptation. Walk through the open window and join them by the dying fire light won’t you?

Let’s hear from the author!

1. Why did you write this play?
I love adaptation and I loved writing Shuddersome. I wondered who else was writing in the horror genre in the 19th century, and I was shocked to find tons and tons of stories. There were too many to choose from! It was awesome. Thus Gothic Ghost Stories was born.

2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences.
Ghosts want two things: their story told, and revenge.

3. What’s the most important visual for you in this play?
The Twins. They led a short life and a horrible death and their ghosts have haunted the Long Hall for decades. If you see them after sunset, it’s curtains for you. They make multiple appearances throughout and they set the perfect tone for a play about ghosts.

4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be?
Traditional scene changes will take the audience out of the world of the play. Never let transitions break the ghostly atmosphere. Atmosphere is the most important element of this play. Keep actors in character, make it creepy, use red light, make it slow and your audience will be glued to the edge of their seats.

5. Why is this play great for student performers?
It applies 21st century skills in the best package ever: How will you use creative thinking to create ghostly special effects? Use critical thinking skills to analyze the original stories and their theatrical versions. Collaboration and Communication are key to transition from story to story without breaking out of the world of the play. And top it off, ghost stories are so much fun to play!