Friends write, direct play for students

Eddie Zipperer and Jamie McAteer might not live in the same town, but that didn't stop the two friends from writing and directing their own play.

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The two have been friends since grade school, and both graduated from Lakeside High School in 1998. They decided to combine their love of theater and created a play, Don't Fear the Reaper , which students in McAteer's advanced theater class at Augusta Preparatory Day School performed. McAteer directed the play that Zipperer wrote.

The play humanizes death and puts a humorous twist on a serious issue, McAteer said.

"This is a political play," McAteer said. "That's one of the things that makes his work so interesting. It's not just fluff. It can be fun for all ages with some really adult themes."

Zipperer provided McAteer with a script and they exchanged ideas.

McAteer and Zipperer became close friends during their middle-school years. Zipperer said they shared the same sense of humor and wrote sketch comedy and scripts throughout high school and college.

Both attended Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, where Zipperer has a master's degree in political science and is working on a master's degree in creative writing.

Zipperer was even best man in McAteer's wedding.

"I've always thought of Eddie more as a brother than a best friend." McAteer said. "He's family and always has been."

The students also took a liking to Zipperer. He visited the class at Augusta Prep and taught a writing workshop.

"They love him so much," McAteer said. "They ask him for more scripts."

Zipperer said he plans on publishing the play once the students finish with performances. The students will be listed as the original cast.

"They were fantastic," Zipperer said. "I couldn't even believe they were high school kids. They were smart and they really put everything into it. I was just really proud of those kids."