Feast for the Dead

by Madeline Easley

Kay was illegally adopted out of her Tribe after the fall of ICWA in the weeks leading up to the zombie apocalypse. But her wealthy new family left her behind when they escaped the carnage by sea. Seven years later, Kay is a thriving citizen of a Confederacy of Tribes who took over governance of Turtle Island after the settler government fell. Then suddenly, the zombies disintegrate, and the one percent return...

Kay was illegally adopted out of her Tribe after the fall of ICWA in the weeks leading up to the zombie apocalypse. But her wealthy new family left her behind when they escaped the carnage by sea. Seven years later, Kay is a thriving citizen of a Confederacy of Tribes who took over governance of Turtle Island after the settler government fell. Then suddenly, the zombies disintegrate, and the one percent return from the sea, ready to re-colonize. The only solution? Revive the centuries-old, Huron-Wendat tradition of holding a Feast of the Dead.

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Feast for the Dead

Recommended by

  • Amphibian Stage : Feast for the Dead by Madeline Easley
    “

    "This is a fascinating/unique/innovative play with very strong dramaturgy, but also a very complicated play-world that invites in some mess. This playwright blends Indigenous and Western notions of Zombie-like characters/Wendigahs to tell a story where there's an uprising of these characters and great plague of people turning into Zombies—as a way to explore an upheaval of colonialism and a return to Indigenous knowledge." Quotes pulled from our readers & staff for SparkFest 25

    "This is a fascinating/unique/innovative play with very strong dramaturgy, but also a very complicated play-world that invites in some mess. This playwright blends Indigenous and Western notions of Zombie-like characters/Wendigahs to tell a story where there's an uprising of these characters and great plague of people turning into Zombies—as a way to explore an upheaval of colonialism and a return to Indigenous knowledge." Quotes pulled from our readers & staff for SparkFest 25

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: Feast for the Dead by Madeline Easley
    “

    Absolutely loved this revolutionary take on the zombie apocalypse genre.

    Absolutely loved this revolutionary take on the zombie apocalypse genre.

    ”

Character Information

RIOT and DANIEL can double with the roles of the SENATORS, KIDNAPPERS, RANDY and LESTER. ADRIAN doubles with SENATOR JACK and the TIN MAN, bringing the total number of actors to 7.
  • Kayleigh-Anna (Kay) Grace Rolfe
    20-30
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Leigh-Anna Faith Rolfe
    45-55
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Riot Rainmaker
    20-30
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Two-Spirit
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
  • Chief Bob
    45-55
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Adrian Rolfe
    Also plays KIDNAPPER 1 and the voice of SENATOR JACK.
    45-55
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Randy Truckahoe
    Doubles with the voice of SENATOR JOHN.
    45-55
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Lester Loper
    White-Presenting. Doubles with KIDNAPPER 2 and the voice of SENATOR JIM.
    45-55
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Maura/The Girl
    20-30
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Daniel Thunderhawk
    20-30
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop, Native Voices at the Autry , 2024
  • Reading, Native Voices at the Autry , 2024
  • Reading, La Jolla Playhouse, 2024
  • Reading, American Indian Community House (AICH), 2023
  • Residency, SPACE on Ryder Farm, 2022

Awards