A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

When We Wake Up Dead

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  2w, 4m

Dennis A. Allen II

When a family comes together to say goodbye to an ailing patriarch, his dying sets in motion events that will change their worlds forever. When We Wake Up Dead is an exploration of grief, mental illness and the fragility of familial bonds.

When We Wake Up Dead

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 4m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
“It’s always death that brings about change in the world,” says the ailing patriarch Uncle Cecil, who will leave in his wake a suicidal child, a woman in deep mourning and a devastating family secret. When the family comes together to say goodbye, his dying sets in motion events that will change their worlds forever. When We Wake Up Dead is an exploration of grief, mental illness and the fragility of familial bonds. In this play filled with moments of tenderness and vulnerability, we're reminded how the past can forever haunt the present.
History
When We Wake Up Dead made its world premiere at Brooklyn College on March 18, 2016.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
BRYANT WALKER – 19, James’ fraternal twin, NY
JAMES WALKER – 19, Bryant’s fraternal twin, came out of the womb first, NY
EMORY HILL – 15, Bryant and James’ cousin, MS
UNCLE CECIL – 60, Emory’s father, Cheryl’s husband of 20 years, MS
AUNT CHERYL – 41, Emory’s mother, Bryant & James’ maternal Aunt, MS way of MI
LYNN – 37, Cheryl’s younger sister, Bryant and James’ mother
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting The Hill family house, somewhere in Mississippi. The present.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“This is indeed the new definition for gut-wrenching drama. Bravo!” – Brooklyn Reporter
“Powerful... A cacophony of sounds, sights and emotions paradoxically assaults and charms the audience... This story is not about comfort and calm. It is about surviving or succumbing to the harshest distractions of life.” – Brooklyn Reporter

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Dennis A. Allen II

Dennis A. Allen II

Dennis A. Allen II was born and raised in Hempstead, New York. He takes his mantra from Paulo Coehlo’s The Alchemist: “To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only real obligation.” After receiving his BA in Communications, Dennis tried his hand at acting, thinking it would be ...

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