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What happens when a classic gothic romance collides with 1940s horror (and add some comedy too)? Zom-Bride by Jacob A. Zinke is a parody of the 1943 public domain horror film I Walked with a Zombie — itself based on Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre — and delivers a witty, tongue-in-cheek twist that’s equal parts spooky and sidesplitting.

Follow Nurse Frances to the mysterious island estate of Fort Thornfield, where secrets lurk in the tower, the moans might not be human, and the stagehands are always ready to step into a role at a moment’s notice. Performed with express permission from the playwright, this radio play invites you to close your eyes, picture the physical comedy, and imagine the joyful chaos of bringing this show to life on stage.

If you’re a theatre company interested in producing Zom-Bride, visit ⁠Jacob A. Zinke’s profile on New Play Exchange⁠.

Plus, don’t miss our interview with the playwright in our last episode of Script to Stage with RCP!

Cast:

Devene Godau — Nurse Frances

Byron Keys — Val Rochester; Tony; Mr. Green

Noelle Ochoa — Jacqueline Rochester

Alexandra Van Ryn — Madge Rochester

Jaimee Giammanco — Mrs. Brown; The Driver; The Doctor; The Troubadour

Jenna Kellie Pittman — Narrator

Director: Danielle Blessing

Sound Technician & Recording Engineer (and Zombie Growls!): Calvin Carson

Sound Editor & Producer: Devene Godau

Musician (Bongos & Recorder): Charlie Godau

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In this episode of Script to Stage with RCP, we sit down with playwright Jacob A. Zinke to explore the fascinating evolution of his gothic horror satire Zom-Bride.

Inspired by Jane Eyre and 1940s gothic horror films, Zom-Bride first came to life on the St. Dunstan’s Theatre stage in 2019. Since then, the story has continued to evolve—most recently appearing at RCP'sTri-County Try Something Staged Reading Festival this spring, and now preparing for its transformation into a radio play on this podcast.

Jacob shares how his experiences, including the Toward an Anti-Racist Michigan Theatre workshop presented by BLAQN, LLC, have changed and shaped this story.

Zom-Bride is available on ⁠New Play Exchange⁠

Stay tuned—RCP’s radio show performance of Zom-Bride will be released later this month!

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We’re back! After a little time away from the mic, Rosedale Community Players has a jam-packed month ahead and we can’t wait to share it with you. In this mini episode, we give you a sneak peek at everything coming your way—auditions for our upcoming productions, our fall comedy Tracy Jones, and the premiere of Zom-Bride as a radio show right here on the podcast. Plus, stay tuned for our interview with Zom-Bride’s playwright, Jacob A. Zinke.

Want to join in the fun? Visit our website to grab tickets and sign up for auditions!

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Hosted by RCP’s Vice President Kenneth Franzel and one of Metro Detroit community theatre’s favorite tech guys, Chuck Goddeeris! No matter where you theatre (or even if you don't yet, and you would like to get involved) this is the perfect place to learn.

To see the slides referred to in the podcast, you can view the video version of this podcast ⁠on our Facebook page⁠.

Chuck Goddeeris is the president of the Community Theatre Association of Michigan. To find out more about this organization, including upcoming educational opportunities, visit ⁠their website.⁠

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When people hear community theatre, they often picture missed cues and outdated sets — but what if we told you it’s one of the most powerful cultural engines in a neighborhood?

In this episode of Script to Stage with RCP, host Devene Godau shares a personal story that reveals how life-changing community theatre can be — for families, for artists, and the community. 

We’re also inviting you to help fuel that magic by participating in the Rocket Community Challenge, a Metro Detroit fundraising event where local nonprofits (like RCP!) compete for bonus funding and visibility.

Help us climb the leaderboard and keep local theatre thriving:

Donate or learn more:

Rosedale Community Players | Rocket Community Challenge

Learn more about our season, upcoming shows, and how to get involved:
rosedalecommunityplayers.com

#CommunityTheatre #DetroitArts #SupportLocal #RocketCommunityChallenge #RosedaleCommunityPlayers #LiveTheatre #StorytellingMatters

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You asked — and we answered! In this special follow-up to Theatre 101: Auditions, directors Kenneth Franzel and Meg Berger return to tackle your burning audition questions. From handling nerves to choosing the right monologue, they dive deeper into the audition process with real talk, practical tips, and a lot of encouragement.

Plus, they dish on the very best treats to reward yourself for the simple act of showing up and putting yourself out there — because auditioning takes guts, and that deserves to be celebrated!

Whether you're prepping for your first audition or your fiftieth, this episode is your backstage pass to feeling more confident and supported every step of the way.

To find out more about RCP, follow us on Facebook or visit our website.

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Auditions can feel intimidating — whether you’re walking into the room or running it. That’s why we’re pulling back the curtain with the Rosedale Community Players this free online workshop. 

Join hosts Kenneth Franzel (director/producer) and Meg Berger (actor/director) for a relaxed, honest look at the audition process from both sides of the table. 

We’ll talk about what really makes a great audition, beyond just “nailing the part.” In this hour-long workshop, we’ll cover:

� How to choose and prepare a monologue

� What directors are actually looking for

� Tips for cold reads and callbacks

� How to stay grounded when nerves kick in

Whether you're brand new or have been doing this for years, you'll leave with practical tools, real talk, and maybe even a little more confidence. 

Look for our follow up episode where we answer participant questions! Send questions to [email protected]

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In this special episode, Devene sits down with playwright Erin Osgood and director Heather Hudson to trace the incredible journey of From Eyes to the Stars. What began as a creative experiment during the isolation of COVID—a science fiction adventure built for Zoom—quickly evolved into something much bigger.

From virtual performances to a live staged reading and now a full stage production, this episode dives into how the story expanded, how the team brought their vision to life, and why it resonates now more than ever.

Produced by ⁠Secondhand Rose Players⁠ in cooperation with ⁠Rosedale Community Players⁠, From Eyes to the Stars opens this week—and you won’t want to miss how it all came together.

Catch the play in Southfield, Michigan:

• Thursday, July 17 8pm
• Friday, July 18 8pm
• Saturday, July 19 8pm
• Sunday, July 20 2pm
• Friday, July 25 8pm
• Saturday, July 26 8pm
• Sunday, July 27 2pm⁠

Reserve seats here!⁠

Subscribe now and get inspired by the magic of community theatre innovation.

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Think community theatre is only for people with stage experience? Think again. In this quick, heartfelt episode, Devene shares why now is the perfect time to finally try the thing you’ve always been curious about—whether you’ve ever been onstage or not. You’ll hear how community theatre welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds, plus get details on our upcoming Theatre 101: Auditions livestream and local audition opportunities.

Hear from directors at Metro Detroit theatres Rosedale Community Players and Players Guild of Dearborn about their upcoming auditions.

Contact us at [email protected] if you have

• Questions to submit for Theatre 101: Auditions
• Voice memos with audition info or advice/stories
• Episode suggestions

To find a community theatre in your area visit the American Association of Community Theatre.

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Learn how to make your story shine with a purposeful design that gives your set main character energy! Discover the fundamentals of theatrical set design in this free online Set Design 101 Workshop presented by Rosedale Community Players.

Are you ready for the return of Theatre 101? Originally streamed live on RCP’s Facebook page, this engaging session explores how to turn brief script descriptions into functional, eye-catching sets. Led by experienced community theatre designer Kenneth Franzel, the workshop will cover the creative process, key design principles, and practical tips for telling a story through your stage.

Interested in the photos referenced? Watch this on YouTube.

About your host:
Kenneth Franzel is an award-winning set designer and director with experience across multiple theatres in Michigan. He is a back-to-back recipient of Rosedale Community Players' prestigious Betty Award for Best Set Design. Additionally, he has directed numerous productions, designing the sets for each one, driven by his belief that a thoughtfully crafted set is essential to powerful storytelling.

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