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

  • Jolie Frazer-Madge:
    1 Aug. 2023
    “ 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. ”
  • Shaun Leisher:
    7 May. 2023
    “ This play is so tense and thrilling. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time. Loved the moments where the fourth-wall was broken. PRODUCE THIS PLAY!! ”
  • Jillian Blevins:
    16 Apr. 2023
    “ This feminist indictment of Oleanna, David Mamet, academic theatre, and fatphobic culture at large crackles with electricity and rage. The world preys on the insecurities of young women; it minimizes them, and more insidiously, makes them desire smallness. Rachel Greene creates a hall of mirrors where Oleanna, John Deserves To Die, and the metatheatrical perspective of audience itself blend in mind bending and dynamic ways.

    The female characters of JDTD are people, not archetypes. They aren’t written through the perspective of a man, or a woman writing for the male gaze. And that itself is revolutionary. ”
View all 8 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
    19,
    woman
    Fat. Anxious and accommodating, while clever and quietly ambitious. Has a fire stirring just below the surface.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • ANDY STARK
    20,
    BIPOC; non-white
    ,
    woman
    Thin, midsized, or small fat. Bisexual. Brilliant, unapologetic, stubborn, and confident. Takes no shit.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • LAURA VOGEL
    18,
    woman
    Thin. Queer but doesn’t know it yet. Obedient, innocent, and passionate.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • PROFESSOR DANIEL HOLMES
    Mid 30's - Mid 50's,
    Cis Man
    Tenured college professor. Academic, disarming, and devilishly charming.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • LEAH HARRIS
    23,
    woman
    Fat. A girl betrayed turned into woman scorned. Still has some fight left in her.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • STEVEN SANDERS
    Late 20's - Early 30's,
    Man
    Graduate student and favorite of Professor Holmes. Eager to be taught. Chill and easygoing.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Fresh Ink Theatre
    ,
    2022
  • Reading
    ,
    The Tank / First Kiss Theatre Company
    ,
    2022
  • Workshop
    ,
    Fresh Ink Theatre
    ,
    2022
  • Residency
    ,
    First Kiss Theatre Company
    ,
    2022

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Fresh Ink Theatre Company
    ,
    2023