How far would you go to achieve fame and fortune?

Wichita State’s School of Performing Arts is premiering its rendition of “The Dead Guy,” a look at modern culture’s obsession with television and the consequences of signing your life over to another individual for stardom.

A young man named Eldon Phelps, who’s down on his luck, has an encounter with a woman named Gina Yaweth — a producer for a reality TV show.

Yaweth gives him a way to make his life better by offering him $1 million, which he has to spend in a week.

There is a catch: Phelps has to allow Yaweth to film the week-long spending binge. And at the end of the seven days, he has to die.

If that doesn’t sound bizarre enough, the audience that watched the show has the chance to vote on how Phelps dies based off their perception of him.

Find out if fame and infamy found its way to Eldon Phelps in “The Dead Guy” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Wilner Auditorium.

Theater instructor and director Danette Baker described the play as a commentary on people’s obsession with reality TV.

“It’s a satire,” Baker said. “It’s timely and it’s fun.”

Baker said she chose this play for students because of the live action and film work.

“I wanted something to be beneficial to their learning experience,” she said, “and something that would provide challenges and opportunities.”

For tickets, contact the Fine Arts Box Office at 978-3233. Tickets are free for students with a Shocker ID.