What's Wrong With You by Jan Rosenberg

When troubled student Caden sees his classmate have a seizure on a train, it sets off an increasingly dangerous chain of events as he and his new friends embark on a sick game that's based on shock value.
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What's Wrong With You

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    15 Aug. 2021
    “ A real look inside the experience of being a teen in a social media culture with a plethora of struggles. Well done. ”
  • David Hansen:
    7 Apr. 2021
    “ I love smart play scripts about modern teenagers so much. I love them even more when they feature drop dead, whip-smart dialogue while also communicating deeply felt character and emotion.

    Rosenberg’s story of a Gen Z cohort who engage in outrageous dares, faking injuries for social media, is thrilling, moving, and very, very real. There is an almost complete absence of adults, highlighting the extent to which these kids have been made to be self-reliant, but also the chilling degree to which they are on their own to manage their many emotional challenges. Highly recommended! ”
  • Shaun Leisher:
    27 May. 2020
    “ There are very few plays I’ve that captures the confusion and pain of being a teenager as well as this one. Yes these are children but Rosenberg forces us to take them and their problems deadly serious and sit with them through it. Excellent use of multiple forms of media and I’m excited to see this fully realized with projection design I hope this play gets in the hands of young people and they’ll know someone sees their struggles and thinks they deserve to be heard. ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

Please cast these roles keeping body diversity in mind. All bodies are beautiful.

  • WENDY
    16,
    Hispanic/Latina
    WENDY and MAE should look similar, enough to be mistaken for sisters.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • RENA
    40-55
    CADEN’s mother. She carries a quiet sadness and shame.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • MAE
    16,
    Latina
    She radiates something that makes you kind of hate her and want to be her best friend at the same time.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • JONAH
    16,
    African American / Black
    Wild, manic, and unfiltered. CADEN’s best friend.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • EVIE
    12
    CADEN’s sister. No filter.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • CADEN
    16,
    White
    A sensitive kid with quiet rage.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Stella Adler Studio
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Less Than Rent Theatre
    ,
    2017
  • Reading
    ,
    Barefoot Theater Company
    ,
    2016

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Stella Adler Academy of Acting
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    Stella Adler Studio
    ,
    2018

Awards