The undead rise again to dance at Kat King’s Zombie Prom
Kat King’s Zombie Prom // Photo by: Jonathan King
On Saturday, Oct. 25, at The Ship, smudged eyeliner, torn lace, and fake blood filled the room while the dance floor pulsed under faint red lights. The third annual Zombie Prom was hosted by the local indie-pop band Kat King. Known for their glittery blend of pop hooks and rock edge, the five-piece has built a loyal following in Kansas City’s scene through theatrical live shows and sharp songwriting.
Frontwoman Kat King has a knack for turning playful ideas into fully realized experiences, and Zombie Prom is no exception. “It all started when my guitarist and I found these old ’70s prom shirts while shopping for a Boulevardia set,” she says. “[Derek Melies] joked, ‘What if we hosted a prom?’ and I said, ‘What if we did?’ It was supposed to be this funny little idea, and now it’s turned into this wild, sold-out tradition.”
Nearly 600 guests donning tattered tuxedos and blood-spattered dresses packed into The Ship for a night that blurred the line between concert, costume party, and immersive theater. Jamogi and the Jammers opened the evening with a lively, funk-forward set, setting the tone for what would become a thrilling ball of a night. Performer Burly Esque emceed the event, delivering quick banter and delightfully weird commentary throughout the night. During the crowning of Zombie Prom’s Prom King and Queen, a brief sound glitch led Burly Esque to belt out the Jurassic Park theme a cappella, with Kat King harmonizing beside her. The moment instantly became a highlight of the night, earning roars of laughter and applause.
Jamogi and the Jammers // Photo by: Jonathan King
When Kat King took the stage for their set, the energy in the room spiked. The band performed both original songs and Halloween-inspired covers, including Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me”, a mash-up of t.A.T.u.’s “All the Things She Said” and Linkin Park’s “Numb”. Although early technical difficulties caused some mutual frustration, the audience’s excitement was unwavering.
“At a certain point, our guitarist got on the mic and said, ‘We can all be mad about the sound, but there’s an entire administration out there doing real damage—that’s what we should be mad about,’” King says. “It completely shifted the mood. Everyone just came together, and the energy in the room changed.”
People cheered and laughed instantly, recognizing that they could come together and bond over bigger issues outside of the music. The audience appeared invigorated, connected by a sense of shared perspective. And they mirrored that shift, channeling every ounce of energy back at the stage.
“Even with all the sound issues, people were going as hard as they could for us—dancing, singing, totally locked in,” King says. “There was this huge wave of empathy and collective energy that pulled everyone together. It felt like a real community moment.”
Photo by: Jonathan King
Guests fueled up on Scream Queens’ vegan ice cream and posed for Polaroid portraits in front of this year’s prom-inspired backdrop, designed by King’s partner. This new addition quickly became a crowd favorite. The small details from DJ Ritz’s late-night set, the crowd’s makeshift corsages, and the mix of drag and live music gave the night its own pulse.
“I love that we can showcase so many genres and artists in one night—live bands, drag, DJs. It’s this full sensory experience,” King says. “We want everyone to feel welcome, dance, and be completely themselves. It’s chaos, but it’s joyful chaos.”
Zombie Prom has become a time capsule for King, blending her love of music, performance, and campy fun together for a night of tuneful terrors. “I never expected to pair our musical identity with something called Zombie Prom,” she says. “It’s funny and kind of serendipitous—In high school, my friends and I once dressed up as zombies just to freak people out around town. Now here I am, a full-grown adult, still doing zombie stuff—just with a bigger audience.”
Kat King // Photo by: Jonathan King
She laughs thinking about how those small, spontaneous moments of play and rebellion during her youth shaped her approach to the event, and ultimately has shaped her life.
That teenage memory connects to what King loves most about the event: the freedom of it all. “This is the show where I feel the most free and authentic,” she says. “Something about everyone being in costume just takes away the pressure. You can do whatever you want, it’s liberating. I try to carry that same energy into every show we play.”
King hinted that the idea might grow even bigger someday. While Zombie Prom has firmly rooted itself in Kansas City, she’s curious how it might translate elsewhere. Taking the celebration on the road is still just an idea, but the seed has been planted.
After another packed and joyfully chaotic year, one thing is certain: If Zombie Prom ever does rise in another city, the undead will be ready, led by Kat King.
