Theatrefolk Featured Play – Horror Movie 102: Failing Just Got Deadlier by Steven Stack
Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight. Did you survive the spookiness and scares of Horror Movie 101: Failing Can Be Deadly? Then hold tight… the spine-tingling horror (and humour) continues with Horror Movie 102: Failing Just Got Deadlier by Steven Stack!
It’s Halloween and a new collection of teens are about to discover the perils of growing up in St. Claire while violating the rules of horror movies in Horror Movie 102: Failing Just Got Deadlier. These fast-paced scenes will frighten you, make you laugh out loud, shock you, hurt your heart and ultimately make you thankful that you don’t live in St. Claire, Minnesota, where the killing of teens in a traditional horror movie style is far too common.
All scenes can be done as standalone pieces or performed together. Easy to stage with few set, sound, or light requirements. The scares are completely theatrical and the ghosts are all in your imagination. Or are they…
Why did we publish this play?
There aren’t a lot of horror plays out there. I love how Steven approaches this genre and makes it theatrical. His work is easily stageable regardless of your situation. Something else Steven does is write great characters with specific personalities – which you don’t often find in the horror genre. And while Horror Movie 102, takes place in the same unlucky horror ridden town as Horror Movie 101, it has it’s own stories. You don’t need to have read or experienced the first play to enjoy producing this one. And enjoy it you will!
Let’s hear from the author!
1. Why did you write this play?
I had so much fun writing Horror Movie 101 and I knew that there were more odd happenings to explore in St. Claire. I was totally right. ?
2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences.
In life, all you can do is your best while realizing that, sometimes, life will decide to do something really messed up to you. Like having your head falling off.
3. What’s the most important visual for you in this play?
When Travis’s head falls off and he continues having a delightful conversation with Bean, his beloved. At that point, since it’s the first scene, the audience knows that there is absolutely nothing that can’t happen in St. Claire.
4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be?
Avoid playing the jokes or focusing on the ridiculousness aspects of each scene. The humor comes from the fact that what is happening in the scenes is the characters’ reality and something they don’t see as funny.
5. Why is this play great for student performers?
Because it mixes horror, humor, and characters that are complicated and quirky and want to make the right decisions but just can’t for some reason. Which, to be honest, is what students and all of us deal with on a daily basis.
6. Do you have any tips for those who are performing this play online?
Focus on internalizing the characters so that your face will respond to what’s happening to your character. Writing character bios is vital here so that you have an in-depth knowledge of your characters and the others in their world. To do the show online allows the focus to be on the story and the characters instead of the set or the blocking.
Get your copy of Horror Movie 101: Failing Just Got Deadlier right here, right now!
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