Southern Gothic Dark Comedy 'Cockroaches' Makes World Premiere in Palm Springs

The Southern Gothic play "Cockroaches" made its world premiere this weekend at the Palm Springs Revolution Stage Company. Written by Emma Schillage, the winner of the Del Shores Foundation 2024 Writers Search, the production blends dark humor with fantasy elements to tackle the deeply personal and often taboo subjects of mental illness and generational trauma.

Set in a run-down family home in the Deep South, the story follows three sisters—Jenny, Charlie, and Sissy—as they grapple with their mother’s erratic behavior and their own unraveling psyches. Director Emerson Collins, known for his work in Southern-themed theater, guides the cast through a narrative that is described as "funny, scary, and thought-provoking," where the house itself feels alive with the weight of inherited memories.

For Schillage, the impetus for writing "Cockroaches" was her own family's history and a profound love for the Southern Gothic genre. By drawing on the traditions of New Orleans, she aimed to fill a void in contemporary theater for a genre she feels is underrepresented. The surreal elements of the play serve as a visceral metaphor for the monsters families create and the struggle to break free before being consumed by dysfunction.

"Cockroaches" is currently running through May 3rd at the Revolution Stage Company, located at 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive. Show schedules and ticket information are available at revolutionstagecompany.com.

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