Dead Broke
Produced by Lost Dreams Collective
Lost Dreams Collective presents Dead Broke by Will King. Directed by Calvin Petersen. This surreal, thrilling, dark comedy and horror hybrid asks us what we do when we are at a point of identity crisis. How do we take accountability for our life? And what’s the cost of living for nothing?
THE PLOT: Oliver, a university student, is in trouble. After switching majors and losing all financial support, he begins squatting in an abandoned home to reduce costs and save his relationship with his girlfriend, Charlotte. To convince their friends that his new living situation is viable, they arrange a birthday party for Oliver’s best friend, Johnny, at his new, run down place. Joined by Laura, a plucky law school student, and Irina, a runner crashing with Johnny, everything appears to be falling into place. But when the house is revealed to have a sinister past, and someone goes missing, Oliver’s life, and reality, spiral desperately out of control.
“A must-see event for any fan of the horror genre.” “King’s script brims with dark comedy and is exhilaratingly taut — the [one act] play is filled with more twists and turns than you can count — without ever compromising character development.” “Top Pick!” Joshua Chong. (Toronto Star)
“A naturalistic Gen Z drama meets a low-budget horror property in Will King’s fresh and inventive new play.” “From the start, King and director Calvin Petersen do such a good job setting up Oliver’s situation – and the actors are so fully present in their roles – that you’re drawn in and care about what happens to everyone. The show is so effective that when a character looks out into the audience and mentions something on the wall, you’ll believe it’s there.” “This is terrific theatre.” “NNNN” – Glenn Sumi. (Now Magazine)
“Dead Broke is a tightly structured, fun horror story with some great plot turns and excellent practical effects.” “King’s dedication to genre theatre is always a breath of fresh air and this is his most accessible work yet.” – Kelly Bedard. (My Entertainment World)
Advisory Warning: Mature language, loud noise, gunshots, drug use, violence, and sexual content.
This script was originally developed as part of the 2020 Beats + Intentions Playwright’s Unit (Expect Theatre, in partnership with the Playwrights Guild of Canada.) The play was further developed for a hit run at The 2022 Toronto Fringe, and expanded again to its current form.
This is a Canadian Actors’ Equity Association production under the Artists’ Collective Policy.
Credits
Charlotte: Kiera Publicover
Oliver: Will King
Irina: Claire Shenstone-Harris
Johnny: Gordon Harper
Laura: Diana Del Rosario
Directed by Calvin Petersen
Assistant Directed by Gordon Harper
Stage Manager & Technical Director: Murphy Diggon
Lighting Designer: Chin Palipane
Set & Costume Designer: Julia Kim
Associate Set & Costume Designer: Irene Ly
Fight Director: Nate Bitton
Written, Sound Designed, and Produced by: Will King
Tickets are $29 Artsworker/Student | $39 Regular | $49 Supporter Ticket (Includes a show poster and our gratitude)
Venue
BMO Incubator
Performance Dates
Thursday, October 31 – 8:00pm Halloween Preview
Friday, November 1 – 10:00pm Opening Night
Saturday, November 2 – 8:00pm
Sunday, November 3 – 7:00pm
Tuesday, November 5 – 8:00pm
Wednesday, November 6 – 2:00pm
Wednesday, November 6 – 8:00pm
Thursday, November 7 – 8:00pm With Post-Show Talkback
Friday, November 8 – 10:00pm
Saturday, November 9 – 2:00pm
Saturday, November 9 – 8:00pm
Sunday, November 10 – 2:00pm
This performance is 75 minutes with no intermission