The Judas Goat

by Emily McClain

(10 MINUTE PLAY) The job title “Judas Goat” refers to the practice of having one animal (usually a donkey or a goat) guide the other animals through a slaughter house from the holding pen to the kill floor because they trusted the guide animal and would follow it more readily than they would a human. In the early 20th century, these guide animals were rewarded with treats, including most notably cigarettes...

(10 MINUTE PLAY) The job title “Judas Goat” refers to the practice of having one animal (usually a donkey or a goat) guide the other animals through a slaughter house from the holding pen to the kill floor because they trusted the guide animal and would follow it more readily than they would a human. In the early 20th century, these guide animals were rewarded with treats, including most notably cigarettes, which led to quite a few goats becoming nicotine addicts.

So anyway, here's a weird little play about that job.

Written for Playwrights Thriving February 2023 Animal Play Challenge.

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The Judas Goat

Recommended by

  • Monica Cross: The Judas Goat by Emily McClain
    “

    Move over Animal Farm, Emily McClain is serving THE JUDAS GOAT. Based on an actual slaughter house practice, this play is chilling while still being disturbingly funny. I would love to see this play staged. If it could be in an outdoor performance space, all the better!

    Looking for a dark comedy for your 10-minute play festival? Put this at the top of your list!

    Move over Animal Farm, Emily McClain is serving THE JUDAS GOAT. Based on an actual slaughter house practice, this play is chilling while still being disturbingly funny. I would love to see this play staged. If it could be in an outdoor performance space, all the better!

    Looking for a dark comedy for your 10-minute play festival? Put this at the top of your list!

    ”
  • Adam Richter: The Judas Goat by Emily McClain
    “

    Emotionally devastating and laugh-out-loud funny: That's how Emily McClain rolls with her satire, and "The Judas Goat" is no exception. A terrific exploration of why we allow terrible systems to persist as well as a potent warning about the dangers of nicotine addiction.
    Absolutely brilliant.

    Emotionally devastating and laugh-out-loud funny: That's how Emily McClain rolls with her satire, and "The Judas Goat" is no exception. A terrific exploration of why we allow terrible systems to persist as well as a potent warning about the dangers of nicotine addiction.
    Absolutely brilliant.

    ”
  • Steven G. Martin: The Judas Goat by Emily McClain
    “

    Emily McClain has written a jarring play. From the opening image of a goat smoking a cigarette to the final twist where the tables have officially turned, the audience is going on a twisted, dark journey with implications about factory farming, being complicit in evil practices, and downfall caused by hubris. I love it.

    Emily McClain has written a jarring play. From the opening image of a goat smoking a cigarette to the final twist where the tables have officially turned, the audience is going on a twisted, dark journey with implications about factory farming, being complicit in evil practices, and downfall caused by hubris. I love it.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

  • Goat
    Any Age
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Donkey
    Any Age
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Sheep
    Any Age
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Reading, Playwrights Thriving, 2023