The Blattriam by Jarred Corona

Petyr Welfzdov wakes as a cockroach. His parents keep him. They want to help him. They hate him. No one wants to raise a roach. A Doctor of Entomology carves off his skin to test it. His father beats him. He wants to be human. What does that mean? All that matters is what others see.
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The Blattriam

Recommended by

  • Nora Louise Syran:
    18 Jan. 2024
    “ I didn't think Kafka could get more disturbing. I was wrong. While there are wonderful moments of the lyrical --"If you stop asking, will I stop dreaming?"-- this is a wildly dark and modern take on the novella, the Metamorphosis. I appreciated the 'drug addled' jagged speech of the disturbed, abusive father and his complicated relationship with the bug/son who makes him feel more human. Corona takes the disgusting elements of the novella and heightens them- a sensory overload. Designers will have a ball. Not easy to clear one's mind after reading this one. ”
  • Brenton Kniess:
    18 Aug. 2023
    “ As a fan of The Metamorphosis, I was eager to see what Jarred Corona would do with this premise. I am happy to report that Corona writes a compelling, creepy, and horrifying play. The tension here is just palpable which makes for some great dramatic moments. Corona does a fantastic job of setting up a well-developed atmosphere that truly brings this world to life. This would be a truly compelling piece of theatre to see staged. I can predict audiences won't stop thinking about it after seeing it. ”
  • Peter Fenton:
    6 Aug. 2023
    “ With THE BLATTRIAM, Jarred Corona has written a creepy, high-concept play with terrifying ambition and deliciously brutal execution that draws on what it means to be human, but not quite in the way a reader might expect. I especially appreciated the themes of familial disappointment and rejection, and the parallels between Petyr's transformation into a cockroach and LGBTQ identity were unmissable. A great read, especially for fans of Kafka. ”
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Character Information

  • Dr. Ava Drozdov
    A professor of literature at Paira Caus University
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Stefan Welf
    Her husband, a former child star
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Petyr Welfzdov
    23
    Their son, a pianist and amateur songwriter
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Benji Grayson
    His boyfriend
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Dr. Joanne Oats
    A colleague of Ava's, a Doctor of Entomology
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender