JOHN DESERVES TO DIE

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 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...

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 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

  • Lee Harrison Daniel: JOHN DESERVES TO DIE

    I think about this play all the time. I think about "GIRLS ARE OFF THE FUCKING RAILS" all the time. Rachel Greene's work is funny and sad and cathartic and scary, and we should all be reading it.

    I think about this play all the time. I think about "GIRLS ARE OFF THE FUCKING RAILS" all the time. Rachel Greene's work is funny and sad and cathartic and scary, and we should all be reading it.

  • Maeve Kelley Baker: JOHN DESERVES TO DIE

    This play is outstanding! With fast-paced dialogue and raw emotion, Greene points a mirror at the academic theater scene. Catharsis and liberation for those burned, shunned, and exploited by the collegiate, she provides a voice - and a place to scream - for the femme theatrical.

    This play is outstanding! With fast-paced dialogue and raw emotion, Greene points a mirror at the academic theater scene. Catharsis and liberation for those burned, shunned, and exploited by the collegiate, she provides a voice - and a place to scream - for the femme theatrical.

  • Jolie Frazer-Madge: JOHN DESERVES TO DIE

    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.

    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.

View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

  • JEN BARNETT
    Fat. Anxious and accommodating, while clever and quietly ambitious. Has a fire stirring just below the surface.
    Character Age
    19
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • LAURA VOGEL
    Thin. Queer but doesn’t know it yet. Obedient, innocent, and passionate.
    Character Age
    18
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • ANDY STARK
    Thin, midsized, or small fat. Bisexual. Brilliant, unapologetic, stubborn, and confident. Takes no shit.
    Character Age
    20
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    BIPOC
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • PROFESSOR DANIEL HOLMES
    Tenured college professor. Academic, disarming, and devilishly charming.
    Character Age
    Mid 30's - Mid 50's
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis male
  • LEAH HARRIS
    Fat. A girl betrayed turned into woman scorned. Still has some fight left in her.
    Character Age
    23
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • STEVEN SANDERS
    Graduate student and favorite of Professor Holmes. Eager to be taught. Chill and easygoing.
    Character Age
    Late 20's - Early 30's
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Tier5 Theatre Company, Year 2024
  • Type Reading, Organization LakehouseRanchDotPng, Year 2024
  • Type Residency, Organization First Kiss Theatre Company, Year 2022
  • Type Workshop, Organization Fresh Ink Theatre, Year 2022
  • Type Reading, Organization Fresh Ink Theatre, Year 2022
  • Type Reading, Organization First Kiss Theatre Company, Year 2022

Production History

  • Type High School, Organization Pioneer Valley Performing Arts, Year 2026
  • Type Fringe, Organization Fresh Ink Theatre Company, Year 2023

Awards