A group of Ball State students are going to prom ... "Zombie Prom", that is.
Set in a 1950s high school, "Zombie Prom" was originally a horror comic book that was brought to life as a musical comedy. Friday, Oct. 15 is the opening of the Muncie Civic Theatre's production of the musical, and the cast is full of Ball State students.
Caitie Noller, sophomore theater studies major playing Ginger, said she enjoys learning from her peers outside of the classroom.
"This show is different because it is only a 10-person cast and nine out of the 10 members are theater majors at Ball State," she said. "Rehearsals last from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. almost every night of the week, so balancing school and rehearsals can be difficult, but we are getting through it. We all learn from each other and learn how to work together."
"Zombie Prom" mixes forbidden love, teen angst and the undead as it tells the story of Toffee, a young girl whose parents forbid her to date the "bad boy" Johnny. After the breakup, Johnny jumps into a nuclear power plant, emerging as a zombie determined to take Toffee to the prom.
Junior theater education major Katie O'Keefe plays Toffee. This is her third play at Muncie Civic Theatre.
"It's a different experience than I've ever had because almost the entire cast is Ball State theater majors. I wanted to do another show with my friends that I met, and I wanted to be involved with them again," O'Keefe said. "This story sounded like a lot of fun, and the music is really good."
Ball State alumnus Craig Underwood is the director of "Zombie Prom." After graduating in 2009 with a theater education degree, he started teaching theater at a private school in Indianapolis. As a student at Ball State, he attended many shows at the Muncie Civic Theatre, and this is his first time directing there.
"Everyone is working hard, and it's exciting watching these characters come to life," Underwood said. "Students should come see ‘Zombie Prom' because it's a crazy mix of high school, ‘Grease' and zombies."
Underwood said that despite having less than five weeks to pull together a production with more than 20 songs and lots of choreographed dancing, he is excited to see how everything comes together.
"I stepped into the production about two days before auditions began, so I had really made quick decisions on what I wanted from this production," he said. "For example, we are using a very simple set painted in a cartoony style that will be manipulated to depict different locations."
O'Keefe said students who might be interested in theater should audition at the Muncie Civic Theatre.
"They look at everybody. You don't have to be a theater major. You can come watch rehearsals or you can come audition. They are completely willing to take you for anything you want to do there," O'Keefe said.
The Muncie Civic Theatre is always looking for new talent. Auditions are free and open to the public. The Muncie Civic Theatre's website, munciecivic.org, has a complete list of upcoming auditions and a way to sign up online.
"Zombie Prom" opens Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and students.
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