Dead Inside

by Gwen Tulin

Dual tragedy strikes, and suddenly Liza is a single parent to Fannie. When Fannie impulsively decides to run away, Liza follows her into a world where memories can be relived - and not everyone can return.

Runs a tight 80-90 minutes with no intermission.

Dual tragedy strikes, and suddenly Liza is a single parent to Fannie. When Fannie impulsively decides to run away, Liza follows her into a world where memories can be relived - and not everyone can return.

Runs a tight 80-90 minutes with no intermission.

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Dead Inside

Recommended by

  • Rachel Luann Strayer: Dead Inside by Gwen Tulin
    “

    DEAD INSIDE is a fiercely funny portrayal of a complicated family trying to work through their problems, the main one being that two members of the family are dead but still heavily involved in the others' lives. This engaging, funny, and relatable family is pulled through time and memories as each one tries to find the magic formula for making one another happy, while moving towards the inevitable realization that in order to be whole, at some point, they all have to move on.

    DEAD INSIDE is a fiercely funny portrayal of a complicated family trying to work through their problems, the main one being that two members of the family are dead but still heavily involved in the others' lives. This engaging, funny, and relatable family is pulled through time and memories as each one tries to find the magic formula for making one another happy, while moving towards the inevitable realization that in order to be whole, at some point, they all have to move on.

    ”

Character Information

So long as Liza and Lee look believably related and Fannie and Kate look believably related, take liberties with casting in terms of all identities, gender expressions, body size, etc.

Fannie and Tiff play 9 year old versions of themselves for part of Act 2 - should be played by the same actors.
  • Kate
    Liza's girlfriend, Fannie's mom.
    40s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Fannie
    Kate’s daughter
    15
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Tiff
    Fannie's best friend
    15
    Any
    Female,
    Non-binary,
    or gender queer
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Liza
    If non-binary, change Liza's pronouns to they/them as needed.
    30s-40s
    Any
    Female-identified or non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Lee
    Liza’s older brother.
    30s-40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Lancaster Public Library, 2024
  • Workshop, Lancaster Dramatists Platform, 2023