By Amanda Zeitler, managing director, Theatre Prometheus
On September 25, Theatre Prometheus opened its latest show, Where Dead Women Go to Dance by local playwright Stephen Spotswood. After she had a chance to take a quick cat nap, director Lauren Patton-Villegas sat down with Amanda Zeitler to talk about the production.
Amanda Zeitler: OK, time for every director’s favorite (or least favorite) question: Why this play and why now?
Lauren Patton-Villegas: Oh, you know, now more than ever in these unprecedented times we could all use a little necromancy, and I’ve always said that.
Now for the real earnest answer to why this play: We read a lot of very different scripts when we were looking for a show for this fall slot. This was the script that got my attention and set my brain running, and it did it in a quiet way. It is full of humor and pain and history and forgiveness in ways that feel familiar amid circumstances that are fantastic.
As for why now? Fall seemed like the ideal time for a play about a witch resurrecting her dead best friend. I’ve done several shows where there was a clear and loud call to action and a direct tie to current events, and I’ll do more in the future, I’m sure. But I wanted to do something meaningful in a different way. I like that these characters exist in the current moment, in our world, but are also taking time to deal with their own very personal relationship.
Can you talk about what the process has been like? Have there been difficult moments? Exciting ones?
The process was an absolute joy. I don’t know if there have been difficult moments necessarily (other than your standard tech stresses). There have been unique challenges like working with a prosthetic and figuring out how to safely drag a dead body across a theater. But they’ve all been really fun to try to solve.
Without giving away any spoilers, what is your favorite moment in the play?
My favorite non-spoiler moment in the play is the opening; it is just such a fun way to open the show with Kim dragging Ellen’s body across the stage.
The character descriptions compare Kim and Ellen to different cats: “If you had to describe Kim as a cat, it might be a bookstore tabby…. Like a bookstore cat, she sometimes gives the air of knowing great and secret things. Which she does.” You say that Ellen would “be the type that wanders inside and outside at will, and doesn’t seem content with either. A little too feral to be domesticated, but too soft for the alley life…. She still wants pets, but not from just anyone.” Which one do you relate to?
I wish I could claim to be the bookstore cat full of secrets and knowledge, but I am pretty sure that I’m the Ellen cat. This was something that we actually talked about in an early rehearsal. I said that I was definitely the cat who wants the option to go outside (or the opportunity to run out through your legs while the door is open), only to fully panic and either freeze or hide under your car once I’m out there (so be prepared to come save me). Though I will accept head pets from almost anyone, the details (duration, intensity, scope, etc.) are all at my discretion and based on “vibes.”
What have you learned about yourself and/or your artistic process while working on this piece?
Because it’s a kitchen table play, there wasn’t a need to figure out a ton of blocking and technical movement, which meant we had time to play and live with these characters intimately. As a cast, we played with how to make the process interesting. Like we literally played games to get the team trying new tactics, discovering new objectives, and exploring their shared history, relationship, and secrets.
What do you hope audiences take away from this play?
The comedy! But also, remember that tomorrow isn’t promised.
What’s next for you?
A short hibernation, I think?
Where Dead Women Go to Dance plays through October 17, 2026, presented by Theatre Prometheus, performing at Montgomery College’s Cultural Arts Center Studio Theatre, 7995 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD. Tickets are $25 for general admission and available online (with student and pay-what-you-can tickets available for all performances).
Running Time: 90 minutes with no intermission.
Where Dead Women Go to Dance by Stephen Spotswood is directed by Theatre Prometheus Co-Artistic Director Lauren Patton Villegas.
SEE ALSO:
Theatre Prometheus premieres a magical ‘Where Dead Women Go to Dance’ (review by Mary V. Holiman, September 30, 20260)\
Stephen Spotswood on ‘Where Dead Women Go to Dance’ at Theatre Prometheus (interview by Amanda Zeitler, September 26, 2026)
Theatre Prometheus announces cast and crew of ‘Where Dead Women Go to Dance’ (news story, September 3, 2026)
