ATHOL — Never seen a zombie up close? Well, here’s your chance. This Friday and Saturday the Athol Royalston Middle School Drama Club is presenting “The 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse.” The play is a light-hearted romp through the end of the world.

No one can question the dedication of the two dozen or so ARMS students involved in this production. This past Sunday, they joined art teacher and Drama Club adviser Tess Maley for a four-hour dress rehearsal. More rehearsals are planned throughout this week.

Asked about the plot of the play, ARMS art teacher Tess Maley wrote by email, “When the world’s overrun by brain-hungry zombies, a group of quirky survivors hilariously present ten ridiculous (and occasionally useful) ways to stay alive. Along the way, audiences are treated to a surprise dancing number, flashback scenes to the start of the apocalypse, and plenty of absurd advice — like flirting with the zombies or outwitting the undead with sheer weirdness. It’s a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud survival guide for the end of the world.”

Maley told the Athol Daily News this is her first time taking on a project of this kind.

“I didn’t want to do anything too serious, so I went with a comedy,” she said. “This has been a learning experience because I’ve never directed anything. The teacher who was doing this last year decided she didn’t want to, so I thought this would be right up my alley.”

In her third year as an educator, Maley said she was a bit surprised at how many students wanted to participate.

“I was a bit overwhelmed at first, but they all have a nice chemistry together. So, it worked out,” she said.

She explained that she came across the play in her research for theater productions appropriate for middle school students.

“I chose this one because I knew I wanted to direct a comedy. As an art teacher, one of the things I was most looking forward to was getting creative with the visual side of the production,” Maley said. “Directing something as outlandish and silly as ‘The 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse’ gave me so much freedom with set design and props. It’s not every day you get to brainstorm how to build ridiculous zombie traps, stage a dramatic boxing match, or plan a completely random dance number — and the students loved being part of those creative conversations, too.”

Maley added that, “The most challenging part of directing this play has definitely been helping middle schoolers balance the humor and timing that a comedy like ‘The 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse’ demands. Comedy can be tricky at any age, and it’s been a fun challenge guiding the students to understand how pacing, delivery, and physical comedy work together to land a laugh.”

On the other hand, she said, “The most satisfying part has been watching these students grow in confidence and creativity. Seeing them step outside their comfort zones — whether it’s expressing their emotions, being silly on stage, or improvising during rehearsals — has been incredibly rewarding. Their energy, teamwork, and fearless enthusiasm make all the hard work worth it.”

Maley said the original script for the play has been modified a bit because she wanted to make it “unique to Athol.”

ARMS students participating in “The 10 Way to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse” are: Jordan Bosley, Sofia Fredette, Emmalyn Talbot, Addison L’Ecuyer, Hunter Vailette, Jenna Derosiers, Greta Kelley, Gwen Bowdridge, Rilee Hall, Tavian Cook, Raevyn Grable, Angelica Manning-Rogers, Rocky Carey, Riley Woods, Kate Thomas, Teri Jacquet-Augustin, Alina Cisneros, Alexa Anderson, Ava Sanden, Natalia Cravatta, Natalia Campion and Leighann Gunderman.

Performances of “The 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse” are at 6 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, May 23 and 24 at Athol Royalston Middle School. Tickets, which are free, are available at www.eventbrite.com.