Matt Davidson has played unusual roles before -- but nothing as disturbing as a serial killer.

"I've had to sleep with the light on some nights because of what I've read," said Davidson, who will play Ralph, a serial killer, in No Refund Theatre's Frozen. "I've played crazy people before, but never this real."

No Refund Theatre will debut Frozen, an emotional and chilling performance about a serial killer and one of his victims, on Friday.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the reactions of the audiences," Davidson (senior-media studies) said. "It's the kind of play where the audience might be small -- but you can really affect them."

Although the play may not be looking to disturb viewers, Davidson said his research playing Ralph has been different and more extensive than anything he's ever done before. He said the "morbid research" included delving into what serial killers had in common, such as late bed-wetting and abuse of small animals as a child.

"I was a singing, dancing dentist in my last play," Davidson said, "It's been cool though to hit the ground running with a serious drama like this."

Frozen, written by British playwright Bryony Lavery, weaves together the lives of a serial killer, the mother of one of his young victims and a psychiatrist who studies serial killers. The play premieres at 8 Friday night and will continue with 2 and 8 p.m. showings Saturday. The performances will each take place in 111 Forum.

Jesse Cramer (junior-English), who is directing Frozen, said the play is undoubtedly creepy, but only because of the subject matter.

"It's character-driven, not plot-driven," Cramer said. "It's not looking to disturb or exploit the audience's feelings. It's just the subject matter."

Davidson noted the play lacks violence.

"It's not gruesome. If you're going to a play about a serial killer, you expect to feel upset and uncomfortable," Davidson said. "This play shows everything else, including Ralph's point of view," which he added is uncommon in many plays about murderers.

The underlying theme in the play is identifying with real, human emotion, said Allie Gemmill (freshman-theatre), who plays Nancy, the mother of one of Ralph's victims.

"While this isn't something you can directly relate to, it opens up a different area of the heart which is grief and fear -- fear of the unknown," Gemmill said. "It asks the audience, 'How would you feel? What would you do?' "

Most people may not have encountered such a horrifying experience, she said, but they can relate to the human interest side of it all.

"It's something we can all examine," Gemmill said. "It's a big bonding experience."

The psychiatrist, Agnetha, who studies Ralph and other serial killers, is played by Sarah Ameigh (senior-advertising and sociology). Ironically, Ameigh said this is the most upbeat character she has ever played.

"Agnetha is very much about compassion for the killers," Ameigh said. "She believes they're products of their environment. She doesn't believe in evil."

The assistant director of the production, Katie Mulfinger (senior-forest biology), said the cast will blow the audience members' minds with how human they can be.

"It's one of the most intense shows I've ever seen," Mulfinger said. "It's appealing for people interested in the way people's minds work."