Sometimes bad decisions can be redeemed —
but sometimes they can’t, because sometimes bad decisions mean you’re Dead Ahead.

Life is a ticking clock defined by decisions. For Mickey, a troubled young man caught between a tumultuous present and an uncertain future, time is running out. As his birthday approaches, Mickey faces the fallout from a crumbling relationship, a rejected dream job, and his estranged family’s unexpected visit. Struggling to reconcile his aspirations with reality, his choices become increasingly desperate.

Set in rural Queensland, Dead Ahead is a raw and poignant social drama told in five scenes. It explores themes of youth suicide, emotional isolation, and the burden of expectations. The play delves into Mickey’s internal struggle and the external forces that push him to his limits, highlighting the devastating impact of bad decisions and the hope that sometimes redemption can be found.

With a minimalist setting and an open-time structure, Dead Ahead is an intimate and intense examination of life's fragile balance, underscored by sharp dialogue and authentic characters. The play challenges audiences to confront the urgency of mental health and the importance of human connection.

WARNING: themes of suicide. Not suitable for children under 15 years.

MICKEY

• Age: Late teens/early 20s

• Description: A loveable yet troubled country boy who lives in the moment. Mickey struggles with his emotional upbringing, self-doubt, and a creative idealism that often clashes with harsh realities. He yearns to escape his small-town life through art but battles impulsive decisions that derail his plans.

RAMONA ("Rambo")

• Age: Late teens/early 20s

• Description: Mickey’s pragmatic girlfriend, developing a survivalist attitude shaped by her rural upbringing. Ramona craves security and stability yet finds herself caught in Mickey’s tumultuous emotional storms. Her resilience is tested as she navigates love, loyalty, and self-preservation.

AGNES

• Age: 40-50s

• Description: Mickey’s emotionally desolate mother, crushed by the chasm between her fantastical desires and the harsh realities of life. Agnes often appears detached, her frustration and regrets manifesting in subtle and overt ways. Plays a lady of the manor demeanour.

RAY

• Age: 40-50s

• Description: Mickey’s stoic and reserved father, a hardworking cattle farmer whose emotional strength has been drained by his marriage. Ray’s character is a study in contrasts: strength tempered by weariness, love overshadowed by regret, and a quiet resilience that masks the deep fractures within his psyche. He embodies the theme of missed opportunities and the long shadows cast by unspoken words and unfulfilled roles.

Sponsor
Mission Beach Community Arts Centre (Mission Arts)

BIG THANKS to
Cardzilla
Blume Photography
Bar – Marcia & Andrew Baker
All the Taxi parents