Dead Inside

Dual tragedy strikes, and suddenly Liza is a single parent to Fannie. When Fannie impulsively decides to run away, Liza follows her into a world where memories can be relived - and not everyone can return.

NOTE: has been produced site-specific as a haunted house in an actual house. Worked great.

90 minutes, no intermission.

Dual tragedy strikes, and suddenly Liza is a single parent to Fannie. When Fannie impulsively decides to run away, Liza follows her into a world where memories can be relived - and not everyone can return.

NOTE: has been produced site-specific as a haunted house in an actual house. Worked great.

90 minutes, no intermission.

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Dead Inside

Recommended by

  • Peter Fenton: Dead Inside

    If you're a theater contemplating BLITHE SPIRIT, set that down and pick this one up instead. DEAD INSIDE by Gwen Tulin is a whip-smart comedy about grief, closure, and living with your ghosts (perhaps in this case more literally than that phrase is to be taken). I had the great pleasure last night of watching a production of this play at Creative Works of Lancaster in Lancaster, PA, starring Tulin herself in the role of LIZA. It was so fun, so human, and took a trippy turn. Great Halloween play!

    If you're a theater contemplating BLITHE SPIRIT, set that down and pick this one up instead. DEAD INSIDE by Gwen Tulin is a whip-smart comedy about grief, closure, and living with your ghosts (perhaps in this case more literally than that phrase is to be taken). I had the great pleasure last night of watching a production of this play at Creative Works of Lancaster in Lancaster, PA, starring Tulin herself in the role of LIZA. It was so fun, so human, and took a trippy turn. Great Halloween play!

  • David "d.s." Levy: Dead Inside

    Dead Inside is at once very funny and also incredibly moving. It explores death from a fantastical point of view and avoids being "about" death at the same time. The characters, despite their metaphysical properties, play honestly and true. This play would be perfect for a young adult (20-something) cast and can be produced a variety of ways. While it would play just fine on a traditional stage, alternative staging options such as in-the-round or other immersive approaches would be great!

    Dead Inside is at once very funny and also incredibly moving. It explores death from a fantastical point of view and avoids being "about" death at the same time. The characters, despite their metaphysical properties, play honestly and true. This play would be perfect for a young adult (20-something) cast and can be produced a variety of ways. While it would play just fine on a traditional stage, alternative staging options such as in-the-round or other immersive approaches would be great!

  • Trace Davis: Dead Inside

    This exploration of family is incredibly funny and insightful. The language is tight and the characters complex. For directors who want an audience in laugh and cry and then laugh again.

    This exploration of family is incredibly funny and insightful. The language is tight and the characters complex. For directors who want an audience in laugh and cry and then laugh again.

View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

So long as Liza and Lee look related and Fannie and Kate look related, cast who you want in terms of all identities, gender expressions, body size, etc.

Fannie and Tiff play 9 year old versions of themselves for part of Act 2 - should be played by the same actors.
  • Liza
    If non-binary, change Liza's pronouns to they/them as needed.
    Character Age
    30s-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Femme or non-binary
  • Lee
    Liza’s older brother.
    Character Age
    30s-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Kate
    Liza's girlfriend, Fannie's mom.
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Fannie
    Kate’s daughter
    Character Age
    15
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Tiff
    Fannie's best friend
    Character Age
    15
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female,
    Non-binary,
    Gender non-conforming

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Lancaster Public Library, Year 2024
  • Type Workshop, Organization Lancaster Dramatists Platform, Year 2023