Theatrefolk Featured Play - The House

Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight. Are you ready to visit The House by Lindsay Price? Perfect for a class project or large cast production, with roles for all levels and possibly doubling. So much for your technical students to dive into!

Do ghosts make a house haunted, or are houses evil to begin with? Three teens enter a haunted house prepared to answer this question. They are ready to search the house top to bottom, share stories, and document what they see. But what if what they find isn’t anything they’ve prepared themselves for?

Did that door just creak open on its own? Who’s walking upstairs? Was that a scream? Only the Chosen Ones know… and they’re watching you…

There is an option to make this long one act play into a two act play - and don't miss the Competition-Length version too!

Let's hear from the author!

1. Why did you write this play?
This play was written specifically for a theatre company - Fort Wayne Youtheatre. We talked about the structure of the play they needed, the cast size, and they wanted a subject matter that would fit around Halloween. I love writing a set criteria and The House was the result!

2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences?
Do ghosts make a house haunted, or are houses evil to begin with? Three teens enter a haunted house prepared to answer this question.

3. What's the most important visual for you in this play?
The Shudders! These are the ghosts who roam the house and live in the grey world between past and present. I love having a character just walk through the shadows of a scene, not trying to steal focus, but if you notice them, it gives you pause. And, no spoilers, but they make the end of the play gave me the complete "shudders" the first time I saw it!

4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be?
There is a decided mix of humour and horror in the play, take care to decide clearly which tone is needed in a moment. And the deeper you get into the play, the less funny everything should become. Draw your audience in!

5. Why is this play great for student performers?
Great teen characters, a large ensemble, and lots of fun challenges for your tech crew.

6. Who is your favourite character in the play?
Raimy. I love their sense of humour and I love showcasing characters who are comfortable in their off-kilter personality.

7\ What is your favourite line in the play?
"Why do all haunted houses look the same? Big and old and dark and what is this? Victorian? Why is there never a haunted condo? Or a haunted hammock?"