A SAD VAMPIRE
“This is a charming, funny piece. There are direct allusions to race and queer inclusion issues that could be easy entry for audiences to have larger conversations. The characters are fun and immediately likeable, and remain engaging throughout. The main character's journey, for being a vampire, is incredibly human. This feels like a piece that would have broad appeal.”
- Tatiana Godfrey, Literary Manager at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
A Sad Vampire is a Halloween comedy play available as a full length piece and a 10 min version. It is for 4 actors (2 M, 2 W) and has an average run time of 80-90 minutes long.
SYNOPSIS:
“So a vampire walks into a bar... and hilarity mixed with growth ensues. Michelle, a harmless vampire, finds herself at an Applebee’s on Halloween after having a hard week. When Jay, the bartender, realizes she's a vampire, everything changes. It's one problem after another for Michelle as she battles her demons (or should I say ghosts and werewolves) and discrimination while staying true to herself. Hard conversations, strife, humanity, and what it means to do better are explored in this comedic yet thought provoking play.”
Download the play to read here. To see more of my work, visit my profile on New Play Exchange here.
A Sad Vampire is ready to be fully produced.
If interested, please contact Aleah below.
“If you enjoy dry humor and dad jokes, A Sad Vampire is chock full of them — Vassell loves a good pun. But beneath that humor is a deeper message that confronts issues of identity and injustice. Vassell and the cast map the supernatural onto the struggles of BIPOC LGBTQ individuals, where language is powerful and myths about monsters are shown to be harmful, hurtful, and unfounded.”
- Arts Knoxville
Read the full review here.
DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION HISTORY
10 Minute Connections, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, January 2024
A Sad Vampire (ASV) debuts as a 10 minute play, produced by ETC
Private Reading, Cincinnati, October 2024
A full length version is complete and local professional artists are gathered to read it outloud and offer feedback, produced by Aleah Vassell
Boo La La, Fonseca Theatre Company, October 2025
The 10 minute play version makes its professional debut in Indiana, produced by FTC
OctKNOWber Nights, Know Theatre, October 2025
One staged reading of the full length version as part of the Know Theatre’s October programming, produced by Aleah Vassell
Tennessee Stage New Play Festival, Tennessee Stage Company, October 2025
Part one of the play festival, which included one week of deep edits and development and a public reading, produced by TSC
Tennessee Stage New Play Festival, Tennessee Stage Company, January 2026
Part two of the festival, which included one more week of development and ended with a public staged reading, produced by TSC
Private Staged Reading, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, October 2026
Final staged reading for invited respected theatre professionals in Cincinnati, produced by Aleah Vassell