Wendy and the Neckbeards by Kari Bentley-Quinn

Wendy - a 17 year old plus sized, body positive Instagram influencer - is having her life exploded by internet trolls - represented by a Chorus of Neckbeards. Jess discovers that her long term boyfriend Chad spends his time harassing young women on the internet to "blow off steam". From here, the two stories converge in an examination of the current era of internet harassment, toxic masculinity, and...
Wendy - a 17 year old plus sized, body positive Instagram influencer - is having her life exploded by internet trolls - represented by a Chorus of Neckbeards. Jess discovers that her long term boyfriend Chad spends his time harassing young women on the internet to "blow off steam". From here, the two stories converge in an examination of the current era of internet harassment, toxic masculinity, and the cycle of abuse towards women in America.
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Wendy and the Neckbeards

Recommended by

  • Daniel Prillaman:
    24 Mar. 2024
    “ The men are not all right. Unfortunately for Wendy (and so many others), the only thing harder than being a man in the age of the internet is being a woman. KBQ's deep dive into the darkest forums of toxic masculinity is explosive, and an important reminder that behind every account (usually), is another human being. Now that's NO excuse for being shitty (or worse), but it shows how far social media has warped our ability to connect, as well as the misogyny that has existed since the beginning of time. A rallying cry in what feels an endless war. ”
  • Jillian Blevins:
    22 Mar. 2023
    “ WENDY AND THE NECKBEARDS is a deceptively moving, metatheatrical thrill ride through some of the creepier corners of the internet. Along with her Greek chorus of neckbeards, Kari Bentley-Quinn guides us into the depths manosphere like Aristophanes took us to Hades in The Frogs, with just as much scathing social satire and fourth wall-breaking absurdist comedy.

    WATNB is perhaps the best theatrical treatment of the internet I’ve yet encountered, both in form and content. KBQ’s savvy and nuanced play explores the ways chronically-online misogyny infiltrates mainstream culture—“normal guys” aren’t immune, our “online selves” are still us. ”
  • Eric Pfeffinger:
    21 Mar. 2023
    “ Bold and ingenious, angry and surprising. Opportunities for inventive and balletic theatricality coexist with gripping scenes of menace. And in its most audacious gambit, the play's violation of conventional dramaturgical expectations enacts a resonant critique of a metastasizing social crisis. Regrettably, this play gets more urgently relevant with every passing day. ”
View all 19 recommendations

WENDY - (F, 17) - Spunky, overweight, blond, All American Texas gal
BREE (F, Mid 20s) - Sarcastic, sassy, world weary, bartender.
CHAD (M, late 20s) - Alpha male type, rugged good looks, blue collar. White. Definitely white.
SHIH (M, 30s) - Chinese American stoner guy. Affable, unmotivated.
JESS (F, mid 20s) - Fed up girlfriend of Chad. Hard working, industrious, exhausted.
MAMA (F, late 30s/early 40s) - Big Texas mom of Wendy. A little trashy.
KARI (F, mid 30s) - Playwright. Redhead
NECKBEARD 1 (M, 20s to 40s)
NECKBEARD 2 (M, 20s to 40s)
NECKBEARD 3 (M, 20s to 40s)
NECKBEARD 4 (M, 20s to 40s)

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Theatre of NOTE
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    The Room at New Georges
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Jimmy's 43
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • University
    ,
    Michigan State University
    ,
    2021
  • University
    ,
    Colby College
    ,
    2019

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
PlayPenn
,
2019
Honorable Mention
,
The Kilroys List
,
The Kilroys
,
2019
Semi-Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
Playwrights Foundation
,
2018
Honorable Mention
,
Jane Chambers Playwriting Award
,
2018
Finalist
,
Writing Fellows Program
,
The Playwrights Realm
,
2017
Honorable Mention
,
The Relentless Award
,
American Playwriting Foundation
,
2017