Goatman

by Jen Jarnagin

Nothing kills a romantic getaway like a dead parent. When Steph’s estranged mother dies unexpectedly, her brother, Dan, crashes her couples trip with her partner, Rosie, to scatter their mom’s ashes in the Appalachian mountains. There, they are presented with an unusual method for coping with their grief: They can leave all of their problems and sorrow behind for an idyllic life in the mountains. All they have...

Nothing kills a romantic getaway like a dead parent. When Steph’s estranged mother dies unexpectedly, her brother, Dan, crashes her couples trip with her partner, Rosie, to scatter their mom’s ashes in the Appalachian mountains. There, they are presented with an unusual method for coping with their grief: They can leave all of their problems and sorrow behind for an idyllic life in the mountains. All they have to do is turn into goats.

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Goatman

Recommended by

  • Charlie Tynan: Goatman by Jen Jarnagin
    “

    Equal parts devastating, hilarious, and terrifyingly real, Goatman is a beautiful testament to healing. The characters are so smartly written, the setting so fully realized, and the emotion so palpable that I can't imagine a better way to spend 90 minutes!

    Equal parts devastating, hilarious, and terrifyingly real, Goatman is a beautiful testament to healing. The characters are so smartly written, the setting so fully realized, and the emotion so palpable that I can't imagine a better way to spend 90 minutes!

    ”
  • Danielle Wirsansky: Goatman by Jen Jarnagin
    “

    Goatman is a magical, absurd, and deeply moving exploration of grief and family dynamics. Jarnagin crafts a narrative full of humor and heart, blending the surreal with the emotional. The choice to transform into goats is brilliantly absurd, adding layers to a poignant journey of healing. A unique and captivating experience!

    Goatman is a magical, absurd, and deeply moving exploration of grief and family dynamics. Jarnagin crafts a narrative full of humor and heart, blending the surreal with the emotional. The choice to transform into goats is brilliantly absurd, adding layers to a poignant journey of healing. A unique and captivating experience!

    ”
  • Alyssa Haddad-Chin: Goatman by Jen Jarnagin
    “

    Goatman is a funny, absurd, and poignant exploration of loss and grief, and how to grapple with the finality of a challenging and harmful parental relationship. I was struck by the intentionally crafted messiness of this journey, a chaos that is very real and one of life's great mysteries. Jarnagin balances all this with humor and imagination.

    Goatman is a funny, absurd, and poignant exploration of loss and grief, and how to grapple with the finality of a challenging and harmful parental relationship. I was struck by the intentionally crafted messiness of this journey, a chaos that is very real and one of life's great mysteries. Jarnagin balances all this with humor and imagination.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations
Steph - she/her - Late 20s/early 30s. Feeling lost after the death of her estranged mother. Looking for some answers in the woods. Grew up in East TN, but has been living in NYC for many years now. Partner to Rosie, older sister to Dan. Grieving, not bitter. Resist the urge to play Steph sad. She’s joking through as much as possible.
Rosie - they/them - Late 20s/early 30s. Born and raised in NYC, unfamiliar with Appalachia, but excited for this trip, which they initially planned as a couple’s getaway with their partner, Steph. Super loving and supportive. Does not love nature, but is trying very hard.
Dan - they/he - Mid 20s. Kind in a golden retriever kind of way, but just because their love is simple and direct does not mean he is not capable of complex feelings and thoughts. Struggling, but trying his best. Grieving, not bitter. Steph’s younger sibling. He’s invited on Steph and Rosie’s couple’s getaway after the death of their estranged mother. Also joking through as much as possible.
Goatman - he/him - presents as late 20s/early 30s. Appalachian. Probably smells pretty bad, but you don’t even care because he’s really fuckin cool. Most of the time. Right now, he is grieving and bitter. He has an Appalachian accent. He possesses magical shapeshifter abilities. When he is a goat, he operates a puppet.

Development History

  • Reading, The Road Theater, LA, 2024
  • Reading, Under Construction, NYC, 2024

Production History

  • Workshop, SheNYC Festival, 2025