The Middle School Play, The Entertaining and Humorous Play “A Survivor's Guide to the zombie apocalypse”

This year’s SIS Middle School play was anything but ordinary. On April 3rd and 4th, the school auditorium was transformed into the middle of a zombie apocalypse—but not the kind that would make you hide under your seat. Instead, the audience was treated to a wild, laugh-out-loud comedy that turned a zombie outbreak into a perfectly timed disaster full of sarcasm, chaos, and heart.

The play, simply titled Zombie Apocalypse, took the classic end-of-the-world scenario and flipped it into something fresh and funny. Rather than being a horror story, it focused on a group of misfit survivors who were doing their best (and often failing) to survive a zombie outbreak. Each character brought something unique to the group, whether it was unearned confidence, bizarre plans, or completely unhelpful emotional breakdowns. The result? A hilarious and surprisingly heartwarming take on teamwork in tough times.

One of the standout performances of the night came from Elena Lee, a 6th grader who played Pippa, one of the survivors. Pippa wasn’t your average apocalypse hero—she was loud, over-emotional, and constantly getting herself into trouble. “Pippa is different from the other roles because she’s very emotional,” Elena said. “She’s dumb, sarcastic, very sensitive, and very mischievous.” Elena's performance captured every side of the character with confidence and humor, making her one of the most memorable characters in the show.

The entire cast brought the story to life with energy and commitment. Every actor leaned fully into their role, whether they were a panicked survivor, a confused zombie, or a “leader” with no clue what they were doing. Their expressions, timing, and interactions on stage had the audience constantly reacting—laughing, gasping, and applauding. It was clear that weeks of rehearsal had paid off, not just in memorizing lines, but in building real chemistry and comfort on stage.

But the performance didn’t just shine because of the actors. Behind the curtain was a hardworking and often unseen crew that helped bring every detail to life. The backstage team—made up of fellow middle school students—ran the lights, sound, and stage transitions with impressive professionalism. Costumes and makeup were creative and funny, turning classmates into believable (and hilarious) zombies. Fake blood, dramatic lighting, spooky music, and the occasional zombie groan added just the right amount of atmosphere without ever losing the play’s goofy charm.

Audience members included classmates, teachers, staff, and proud families. Both nights, the seats were filled with supportive cheers, laughter, and lots of clapping. Many were surprised by how well-developed the story was—what started as a silly concept ended up showing themes of friendship, teamwork, and bravery (in the most ridiculous ways possible). After the final scene, the crowd gave a standing ovation, showing just how much they appreciated the effort and spirit behind the show.

For SIS Middle School, the spring play is more than just a performance—it’s a celebration of student creativity, collaboration, and confidence. Events like Zombie Apocalypse give students the chance to take risks, try something new, and be part of something bigger than themselves. Whether they were on stage delivering punchlines or backstage cueing up zombie sound effects, every student involved played an important part in making the show a success.

Looking ahead, there's already excitement building for next year’s production. Zombie Apocalypse will be remembered not just for its laughs and lovable characters, but for the way it brought people together—students, teachers, and families alike.

And if it taught us anything, it’s that even in the middle of a zombie outbreak, a little humor (and a lot of teamwork) can save the day.