JOHN DESERVES TO DIE

by Rachel Greene

All is calm until theater department favorite Professor Daniel Holmes casts unassuming freshman Laura Vogel as Carol in his Spring production of David Mamet’s Oleanna. No one is less pleased than ambitious, fat sophomore Jen Barnett, who threatens to expose a secret that could turn lives and careers upside down. When student reporter Andy Stark starts to follow leads for an explosive exposé, it is only a matter...

All is calm until theater department favorite Professor Daniel Holmes casts unassuming freshman Laura Vogel as Carol in his Spring production of David Mamet’s Oleanna. No one is less pleased than ambitious, fat sophomore Jen Barnett, who threatens to expose a secret that could turn lives and careers upside down. When student reporter Andy Stark starts to follow leads for an explosive exposé, it is only a matter of time before dangerous truths come out. Art begins to imitate life as secrets unravel, masks come off, and classic texts are challenged. In this decidedly murderous exploration into the devilish intricacies of sex, power, consent, and gender politics in academia, three students take control in asking: If Carol was telling the story, wouldn’t John deserve to die?

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JOHN DESERVES TO DIE

Recommended by

  • Lee Harrison Daniel: JOHN DESERVES TO DIE by Rachel Greene
    “

    I think about this play all the time. I think about "GIRLS ARE OFF THE FUCKING RAILS" all the time. Rachel Greene's work is funny and sad and cathartic and scary, and we should all be reading it.

    I think about this play all the time. I think about "GIRLS ARE OFF THE FUCKING RAILS" all the time. Rachel Greene's work is funny and sad and cathartic and scary, and we should all be reading it.

    ”
  • Maeve Kelley Baker: JOHN DESERVES TO DIE by Rachel Greene
    “

    This play is outstanding! With fast-paced dialogue and raw emotion, Greene points a mirror at the academic theater scene. Catharsis and liberation for those burned, shunned, and exploited by the collegiate, she provides a voice - and a place to scream - for the femme theatrical.

    This play is outstanding! With fast-paced dialogue and raw emotion, Greene points a mirror at the academic theater scene. Catharsis and liberation for those burned, shunned, and exploited by the collegiate, she provides a voice - and a place to scream - for the femme theatrical.

    ”
  • Jolie Frazer-Madge: JOHN DESERVES TO DIE by Rachel Greene
    “

    An absolutely FANTASTIC play about female rage and empowerment. I was fortunate enough to get to see this play in performance and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Most importantly, this play has saved me from ever having to read a David Mamet play.

    An absolutely FANTASTIC play about female rage and empowerment. I was fortunate enough to get to see this play in performance and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Most importantly, this play has saved me from ever having to read a David Mamet play.

    ”
View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

* JEN and LEAH *must* be played by FAT actors

** Please cast at least one (if not both) of JEN or LEAH with a non-white actor; conversations about fat liberation should never be monopolized by only white voices

*** It is encouraged to cast ANDY with a fat actor if possible (though ideally in a smaller body than the actors playing JEN and LEAH)
  • JEN BARNETT
    Fat. Anxious and accommodating, while clever and quietly ambitious. Has a fire stirring just below the surface.
    19
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
  • LAURA VOGEL
    Thin. Queer but doesn’t know it yet. Obedient, innocent, and passionate.
    18
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
  • ANDY STARK
    Thin, midsized, or small fat. Bisexual. Brilliant, unapologetic, stubborn, and confident. Takes no shit.
    20
    BIPOC; non-white
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • PROFESSOR DANIEL HOLMES
    Tenured college professor. Academic, disarming, and devilishly charming.
    Mid 30's - Mid 50's
    Cis Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • LEAH HARRIS
    Fat. A girl betrayed turned into woman scorned. Still has some fight left in her.
    23
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
  • STEVEN SANDERS
    Graduate student and favorite of Professor Holmes. Eager to be taught. Chill and easygoing.
    Late 20's - Early 30's
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s

Development History

  • Reading, Tier5 Theatre Company, 2024
  • Reading, LakehouseRanchDotPng, 2024
  • Residency, First Kiss Theatre Company, 2022
  • Workshop, Fresh Ink Theatre, 2022
  • Reading, Fresh Ink Theatre, 2022
  • Reading, First Kiss Theatre Company, 2022

Production History

  • Professional, Fresh Ink Theatre Company, 2023