The Queer Horror Festival will showcase five short pieces, written and directed by queer artists in the undergraduate community. The pieces explore various facets of queerness and how queerness intersects with the horror genre on stage.

The following plays will be presented as part of the festival:

The Binding of Citrus by Cheyenne Mann
Directed by Piper Wiley
Two young women explore their emotions regarding the end of the world. Their lamenting is interlaced with a priest exploring the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, and the recitations of an Angel obsessed with poetry. 

Moth by Wren Stone
Directed by Arlo Schneider
Luna is lost, looking for themself in men who only intend to harm them. Trapped in the bathroom after a hookup with an older man that they have way too much history with, they reflect on their life and the pieces of themself that they feel are missing. Will they be able to reclaim their Beauty before they are destroyed completely?

The Sashaying Dead by Cael Negen
Directed by Tyler Salow
They're here, they're queer, and they're coming for your... brains? People are dying and reanimating gay! Oh the horror! Join Myrtle, Clay, Tiff, and Constance as they fight off these glittery hordes and do their best to pretend they have never seen a single episode of Glee.

Dear John by Meg Mechelke
Directed by Ennis Matthew Neal
In the late 1880s, the most-kissed woman in the world was fished out of the Seine River, drowned and dead. Today, a living woman reads a note that is neither a romance, a ghost story nor a suicide note, and yet, somehow is all of those at once.

The archivist by Arlo Schneider
Directed by Meg Mechelke and Julia Corbett
While experiencing a compilation of home videos, the Archivist must contend with the gruesome realities of their past. In doing so, they will contend with questions about gender, family, identity, and above all: what really happened to their hands?

Please be advised that these plays contain explicit language, genre-typical depictions of violence and body horror, mild descriptions of gore, discussion of suicide, relationship abuse, domestic violence, transphobia, discussion of sexual assault, and child abuse dysphoria.

Additional Information

The Queer Horror Festival team put together some additional information about the plays, genre, and more on their own website. Learn more about the plays and the genre here.

Virtual Lobby

In advance of the performance, we'd like to invite you to visit our Virtual Lobby to learn more about the production and our team.

Acting Ensemble

Creative Team

*Undergraduate student. UI Theatre is dedicated to providing hands-on theatre experience for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Tickets

Tickets for workshops are free of charge; however, you must obtain a ticket at the door and seating is limited.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Department of Theatre Arts in advance at 319-335-2700.