The Kirbo Center auditorium at Bainbridge State College was packed Tuesday night for speaker Max Brooks, who spoke to the audience about writing books, Hollywood, and how to properly survive a zombie apocalypse.

Brooks, son of comedian Mel Brooks and actress Anne Bancroft, is the author of the two best-selling novels The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War.

“We thought he would be a good way to kick off our (Arts and Lecture) series,” BSC Chief Information Officer Scott Dunn said.

Brooks had the audience laughing as he ran through what he thought was important in a zombie survival situation. From having water constantly on hand, keeping good hygiene to what weapons would be most useful, Brooks both entertained and educated the crowd.

“I like zombies,” attendee Shawn Jackson said. “I’m really into a lot of the paranormal or undead stuff. I’m a big geek. So anything related to that, I have to come see it. And he’s in Bainbridge. How often does that happen?”

Dunn emphasized how important it is to have speakers like Brooks come to the college to give students and resident a chance to see things otherwise not available to them.

“I think given the challenges that we know face this area — it’s very rural and not very wealthy — a lot of people don’t have the opportunity to experience things like this,” Dunn said. “Whether it’s theatre, music, presenters like Max Brooks. Part of the job of the college is to do that, to bring those opportunities to people who otherwise wouldn’t have them.”

Brooks said that coming to places like Bainbridge is crucial because he sees a strong sense of community.

“I think it is important because there are no local problems,” Brooks said. “And I think, unfortunately, especially now days, we are living in a time when people want to sever the ties of civilization. They are calling for less government without realizing they are really calling for a failed state. I think we have got to where we got by working together, not by pulling apart. And I think it’s important to make people aware of how much we need each other, whether we want to admit it or not.”

More Lectures in the 2013-2014 Arts and Lectures series at BSC include the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra on Nov. 3, The Second City on Jan. 30, 2014 and President Jimmy Carter on Feb. 18, 2014.