The Days of the Dead Festival is a vibrant celebration of both life and death, brought to life through independent theater and performance. Inspired by the rich traditions of the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos, this festival honors the belief that during this special time of year, the spirits of the deceased return to the earthly realm to reunite with loved ones and enjoy the pleasures they once cherished.
The festival embraces a wide range of emotions—cheerful, somber, nostalgic, ritualistic and mysterious—all rooted in the essence of family and community. Audiences can expect an array of shows that explore themes of death, the afterlife and Halloween, offering diverse interpretations and perspectives.
We warmly invite everyone, regardless of cultural background or religious beliefs, to come together and celebrate our muertos in unity. The Days of the Dead Festival is curated by FRIGID New York’s Resident Artistic Director Martha Lorena Preve and members of the Something from Abroad theater company: Silvana Gonzales, Federico Mallet, Pelayo Alvarez, Fernanda Hidalgo and Regina Romero.
Selections from the lineup include:
All Hallow's Eve
Written by Michael Hagins
Presented by C. A. G. E. Theatre Company
The horror movie classic gets twisted into Shakespeare, as Laurie Strode must keep herself and her friends safe from the evil murderer Michael Myers, all while Doctor Loomis rushes to protect her.
Horror Helps
Written & Performed by David Lawson
David Lawson's one-man show about how the fake anxiety of horror movies helps with the real anxiety of life. Lawson performs stories about police interactions, a neurological disorder, childhood fears, a public health disaster and New York City…all related to five horror movie tropes that he loves.
Brokeneck Girls: The Murder Ballad Musical
Written by Eve Blackwater
Brokeneck Girls: The Murder Ballad Musical is a dark comedy based on the tradition of violence against women in folk music and the true crimes that inspired it. The social commentary delivers fast-paced laughter while addressing issues of class, race, gender and power. Revenge, redemption, free will and the conflict between good and evil unfold unexpectedly in a story focused on three women who bond over music and share increasingly outrageous secrets. Eventually the truth comes out—the desire to survive has driven all of them to become what they fear most. The score, performed by the NYC-based, folk noir band Brokeneck Girls, features songs of murder, mayhem and dirty deeds spiced with juicy gossip and facts about real people and events in the songs. Loyalty, murder, quick wit and banjo jokes tell the hilarious and unflinching story of hidden history and the beginning of cultural obsession with true crime and make for a thoroughly entertaining evening. Join us for the thrilling new version!
Goat Blood
Written by Mark-Eugene Garcia
In the heart of a dense forest, nestled in the bed of a pickup truck, two coworkers, Pablo and Owen, find themselves waiting for their dates. What starts as a casual debate about tacos, friendships, sexuality and heritage gradually transforms into something deeper—an undeniable attraction simmering beneath their banter. However, their unexpected connection is soon overshadowed by the arrival of a menacing Chupacabra, threatening to shatter the tranquility of their evening. Owen's terror at the creature's appearance pales in comparison to his shock when he learns that the Chupacabra has been a constant presence in Pablo's life. Goat Blood weaves together the threads of passion, queer identity and the triumphant conquest of personal demons. Against the backdrop of rich Latine folklore, this story explores the complexities of desire and self-discovery in the face of a formidable supernatural threat.
The Giant Child
Written by Taylor Wendell Lozano
Dr. Chaparell is getting ready to present the first immortal human, who has lived their entire life in a cage underground.
Hunter and Li Find Toni Collette
Written by Liam Blanchard
Hunter and Li Find Toni Collete is a ‘zillennial’ murder mystery pseudo-farce. A snapshot into the comedically queer minds of two new homeowners in upstate New York. During renovations, they discover a body in their living room, bringing chaos, comedy and even a constable. A roller coaster of realities proves that nothing is as it seems, but everything is funny.
Ambrosia and more Louisiana Lagniappe
Written by Kelley Nicole Girod
Directed by Andrew Block
Join us for an afternoon of haunting tales straight from Louisiana’s Lore. A Loup Garou (werewolf) visits three friends during the pandemic, a feu follet (shapeshifter) turns the tables on a predatory professor and a withering Southern belle just wants to eat cake, or else!
