The Oakland University theatre department will present “Dean Man’s Cell Phone” Mar. 14 to 24 at Varner’s Studio Theatre.

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” written by Sarah Ruhl, first premiered in Washington D.C. at Woolly Mammoth’s Theatre Company in 2007. It later played in New York City at the Playwrights Horizons in 2008.

The play is a postmodern expressionistic piece, according to director Anthony Guest.

“During certain parts of the show, the audience will use their cell phones to express their opinions about what they have seen,” said Guest.

Audiences will be invited to tweet to the Twitter account @deadmanscellou from the moment they enter the theatre until the show begins.

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” is a satire that begins as a man named Gordon dies in a café. His phone is left ringing. Jean, who is also in the café, asks him to turn off his phone but finds he is dead.

Jean decides to keep his phone, but has to deal with his grieving family and business acquaintances.

“Ultimately, this show will cause the audience to reflect on how their use of technology to communicate affects their relationships in daily life,” Guest said.

Wes Miles, an acting major, will play Gordon’s brother, Dwight.

“There is a message and an overtone in the show about getting lost in technology and having that control your life,” Miles said.

Miles has also appeared as various roles in OU shows such as Dogberry in “Much Ado About Nothing,” the officer in “Police: Deaf:: Near: Far” and Gabriel in the “Pageant Plays.”

Miles has also done works with the Warren Civic Theatre, including “Little Shop of Horrors” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

“(Dead Man’s Cell Phone) is a slightly surrealistic show, and when you are doing it you get to explore aspects of emotion that actors normally do not show,” Miles said.

Production meetings for “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” began in October, but the cast did not start rehearsing until Jan. 22.

Guest said since then, the cast has rehearsed 20 hours every week.

He hopes the audience members will experience the theatre in a different way than they normally would expect.

“It’s a message to remember to connect with people and not just the screen of your phone,” Miles said.

Tickets are $14 for general admission, $8 for students and all admission for a 10 a.m. matinee performance. Tickets can by purchased at startickets.com, by phone at (800) 585-3737, at the Center for Student Activities window or the Varner Hall Box Office.