The Resurrectionist

by Ryan Stevens

When Kitt, whose job is to dig up corpses, finds Audrey’s corpse and Audrey sits up and starts talking, the two form a strange connection. Audrey wants to embrace life now that she has been given a second chance, even as her body continues to decay. Kitt, her whole worldview shaken by this new presence, finds herself drawn to her undead new friend and the promise of new understanding. At the same time, Audrey’s...

When Kitt, whose job is to dig up corpses, finds Audrey’s corpse and Audrey sits up and starts talking, the two form a strange connection. Audrey wants to embrace life now that she has been given a second chance, even as her body continues to decay. Kitt, her whole worldview shaken by this new presence, finds herself drawn to her undead new friend and the promise of new understanding. At the same time, Audrey’s mother Avery works to cope with the loss of her daughter, and the nagging suspicion that she might not actually be gone. A play about love, identity, the soul beyond the body, and how we live when our selves are decaying.

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The Resurrectionist

Recommended by

  • Rosie Narasaki: The Resurrectionist

    A gorgeous gem of a play that explores life's biggest questions — love and death — with equal parts humor and profundity. Another couple adjectives: Gross (in a fun way) and philosophical (also in a fun way). RIYL laughing while you cry or crying while you laugh.

    A gorgeous gem of a play that explores life's biggest questions — love and death — with equal parts humor and profundity. Another couple adjectives: Gross (in a fun way) and philosophical (also in a fun way). RIYL laughing while you cry or crying while you laugh.

  • Elizabeth A. M. Keel: The Resurrectionist

    A tight comedy with three killer female roles! My favorite line was, "Mountains are always mountains, but good luck navigating one range with the map of another." I really appreciated the intelligence and zestfulness of this piece. It's quite a thought experiment, simple enough once presented, but so achingly human in its execution. Kitt's profession is one that I have not seen onstage - except as a male, creepy, horror-centric subplot - and it was fascinating to watch her navigate the ethics of it.

    A tight comedy with three killer female roles! My favorite line was, "Mountains are always mountains, but good luck navigating one range with the map of another." I really appreciated the intelligence and zestfulness of this piece. It's quite a thought experiment, simple enough once presented, but so achingly human in its execution. Kitt's profession is one that I have not seen onstage - except as a male, creepy, horror-centric subplot - and it was fascinating to watch her navigate the ethics of it.

  • Nick Malakhow: The Resurrectionist

    A beautiful, tender short play with dialogue that moves briskly and is both spare and profound. Stevens explores loneliness, connection, and grief in this humorous and poignant piece. Kitt, Audrey, and Avery's arcs are satisfying and surprising. This was a truly unique read that I'd love to see in production--its theatricality begs to be brought to life onstage.

    A beautiful, tender short play with dialogue that moves briskly and is both spare and profound. Stevens explores loneliness, connection, and grief in this humorous and poignant piece. Kitt, Audrey, and Avery's arcs are satisfying and surprising. This was a truly unique read that I'd love to see in production--its theatricality begs to be brought to life onstage.

View all 11 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Boston Court Pasadena, Year 2021
  • Type Workshop, Organization Great Plains Theatre Conference PlayLab, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization UCLA TFT, Year 2018

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Queen City Theatre, Year 2023

Awards

  • Great Plains Theatre Conference
    Selection
    2019
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Finalist
    2019