Sam and Pig are avatars in the video game ZOMBIE THOUGHTS. Sam’s character is intelligent, anxious, and armed with a book. Pig is goofy, distracted, and armed with a rubber chicken. Can Pig and the players in the audience help Sam overcome anxiety and defeat the monsters and trials the Machine throws in the way? A 45 minute video game inspired TYA play about childhood anxiety where the audience determines the outcome. Written for grades 3-6 with help from someone in grade 3.

ZOMBIE THOUGHTS is designed where all characters can be performed by any gender or race. Available are a 2 person or 3 person version for easy touring, or the play can be performed with up to 10 performers as a school one act. It has been vetted for its accuracy in depicting Generalized Anxiety Disorder by a licensed therapist.

ZOMBIE THOUGHTS will receive its world premiere at Plan-B Theatre Company (planbtheatre.org) in Salt Lake City from October 1, 2018 to January 18, 2019 as the company’s sixth annual Free Elementary School Tour featuring Katie Jones and Alicia Washington, designed by Arika Schockmel, directed by Cheryl Ann Cluff, and stage managed by Sharah Meservy.

If you’d like to peruse the script for performance, it can be found on the New Play Exchange. Or you can email Jenny for more information.

Some kudos for the play from the New Play Exchange:

Jordan Elizabeth Henry:

6 Apr. 2018

 Sweet, honest, and so moving. As a bearer of zombie thoughts myself, I wish I had had a tool like this play as I was growing up. This play is a game-changer for kids with anxiety disorders, and an incredible tool of understanding for kids who don’t. Kids and parents everywhere will be incredibly grateful for this play. 

Lynne Childress:
3 Feb. 2018

 This is a funny, moving, and beautiful play. 

28 Sep. 2017

 I heard a reading of this, and it is so funny and honest. I think we often try to water down plays for children, and what I like most about this play is that it doesn’t do that at all. It tackles very real feelings held by people of all ages and doesn’t sweep them under a rug, but instead puts them front in center in a way that helps you understand things from a different perspective, which is what theater is all about. Really good work.