involuntary celibate

by maguire wilder

It’s 2014 and Ellie, Wyatt, Micah, Benjamin, and Gabriel are virgins. When the five connect on a virtual chatroom, they rely on each other to get their relationship questions answered. How many times is too many times to text someone in a row? What do girls prefer you call their boobs? What even is attraction? Inspired by the real origin of the word ‘incel,’ involuntary celibate looks at the complexity of desire...

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involuntary celibate

Recommended by

Kate Isabel Foley: involuntary celibate by maguire wilder

“

One of my favorite plays to date. I think about this piece constantly. It is timely, thought-provoking, and painfully/satisfyingly real. The characters are treated with such empathy and care, yet the play still allows them to live in the gray area that most of us exist in each day. And to top it all off, you will laugh your ass off.

One of my favorite plays to date. I think about this piece constantly. It is timely, thought-provoking, and painfully/satisfyingly real. The characters are treated with such empathy and care, yet the play still allows them to live in the gray area that most of us exist in each day. And to top it all off, you will laugh your ass off.

”
Annie Schoonover: involuntary celibate by maguire wilder

“

A play full of characters that feel like people you could meet. Wilder uses the social mores and structures of the internet in such an exciting way.

A play full of characters that feel like people you could meet. Wilder uses the social mores and structures of the internet in such an exciting way.

”
Emma Y. Lai: involuntary celibate by maguire wilder

“

10/10, this is definitely one of my favorite plays. I could not recommend this play more!

involuntary celibate is such a sincere play and as each of the characters longs for connections and understanding, we long for their success even as they make both serious and hilarious mistakes. i think everyone can relate to the longing in this play and as incel culture is on the rise in 2026, it's important to go back to the core and remember that we are all human beings who are really really trying.

10/10, this is definitely one of my favorite plays. I could not recommend this play more!

involuntary celibate is such a sincere play and as each of the characters longs for connections and understanding, we long for their success even as they make both serious and hilarious mistakes. i think everyone can relate to the longing in this play and as incel culture is on the rise in 2026, it's important to go back to the core and remember that we are all human beings who are really really trying.

”

Character Information

ELLIE (elliephant47)

Character Age

22

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Non-binary,
  
  Woman
BENJAMIN (thebenjiman)

Character Age

20

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Man,
  
  Non-binary
MICAH (micah.b2)

Character Age

16

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Man,
  
  Non-binary
GABRIEL (liketheangel123)

Character Age

23

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Man,
  
  Non-binary
WYATT (kaiju_kid)

Character Age

27

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Man,
  
  Non-binary

Development History

Type Workshop, Organization Carnegie Mellon University, Year 2025