Grade 5 teacher Tim Gore with the cast and crew of “10 Ways to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse.” (Photo Courtesy Woburn Public Schools) 
Zineb Khouti (left) and Amelia Nassif (right) perform as the narrators in “10 Ways to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse.” (Photo Courtesy Woburn Public Schools) 
Dylan Alverado as Jimmy in “10 Ways to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse.” (Photo Courtesy Woburn Public Schools) 
Camryn Michelini (red shirt) is approached by zombies during Goodyear Elementary’s production of “10 Ways to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse.” (Photo Courtesy Woburn Public Schools)
WOBURN — Goodyear Elementary School recently transformed its stage into a thrilling and humorous adventure with a student production of “10 Ways to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse.”
Led by Tim Gore and Kim Hayes, the performance showcased not only student talent, but also the power of creativity, collaboration, and community.
Gore is a new Grade 5 teacher at Goodyear. He has made an impact through his strong instructional practices, ability to build meaningful relationships with students, and joyful yet consistent approach to expectations have made him a valued member of the school community.
His family founded a theater group in Maine that remains active today. He continues to work with youth in theater programs during the summer and has served as an ELA lead for numerous productions.
Recognizing the opportunity to bring theater to Goodyear, he immediately began working to create a program that would be inclusive, engaging, and accessible to all students.
He turned to Colene Gibbons, who shared her successful “Before and After the Bell” program model, which encourages opportunities for creativity and wellness for students before and after the school day. Gore was able to thoughtfully design a structure that allowed the theater to flourish.
Together, they ensured the program remained affordable, with manageable rehearsal hours so that all interested students could participate.
The program began as an entry-level opportunity, giving students foundational skills in acting, collaboration, and stage presence. From there, it grew into a full production, “10 Ways to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse,” that allowed students to flourish both on and off the stage.
“10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse” by Don Zolidis is a fast-paced comedy that follows a group of survivors navigating a zombie outbreak using a set of humorous rules for survival. Through a series of short, energetic scenes, the characters attempt to follow these guidelines, often with chaotic and ironic results. The play blends satire and over-the-top humor to highlight how people react under pressure, proving that in a crisis, human behavior can be just as unpredictable as the zombies themselves.
The production was a complete community effort. Gore’s family played an integral role, supporting the program throughout the week to ensure everything ran smoothly. Their involvement added to the strong sense of community that defines Goodyear Elementary. Teachers Kaio Scott and Amanda Williams assisted by running the lights and microphones, helping everything run smoothly behind the scenes.
Gore was director and producer for the production, while Hayes acted as assistant director and design crew supervisor.
Goodyear staff shared that “10 Ways to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse” was more than just a performance — it was an experience that built confidence, fostered teamwork, and brought joy to students, staff, and families alike.
On Thursday, April 9, families and fellow students packed the auditorium for Family Night, where the students got to perform the production.
On Monday, April 13, the drama students expanded their newfound love of theater with Kindergarten students, teaching the younger students the dance for “Kung Fu Fighting.” Once the kindergarten class got the choreography down, they had their own special performance.
“It was wonderful to see so many families come together, sharing special moments and supporting our students. We were also fortunate to welcome Grades 1-5 to WMHS for a field trip to see the performance, making it a truly memorable experience for our entire school community,” said Principal Meghan Patrissi. “Students proudly celebrated their peers as role models, and the performance brought countless smiles and laughs — it truly showcased the spirit of Goodyear.”
Woburn Public Schools and Goodyear Elementary would like to thank City Councior and former Police Chief Robert Ferullo and the Goodyear PTO for funding the buses and helping make the performance accessible to all students in Grades 1–5.
“Goodyear Elementary School looks forward to continuing to expand opportunities in the arts, ensuring all students have access to creative and enriching experiences. We are looking forward to our “Goodyear has Talent” talent show coming soon,” said Patrissi.
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