Shame Spiral

by Ali Viterbi

When contestant Lauren S joins The Bachelor in its 23rd season, she’s prepared for all the drama if it means finding her one true love. What she’s not prepared for is the internet’s response to the revelation of her virginity and the subsequent fallout. SHAME SPIRAL engulfs us in the alternate reality of reality TV complete with false eyelashes, red roses, antiquated gender roles, and this persistent sense of...

When contestant Lauren S joins The Bachelor in its 23rd season, she’s prepared for all the drama if it means finding her one true love. What she’s not prepared for is the internet’s response to the revelation of her virginity and the subsequent fallout. SHAME SPIRAL engulfs us in the alternate reality of reality TV complete with false eyelashes, red roses, antiquated gender roles, and this persistent sense of shame that seems to lurk beneath every single moment. What’s the price we’re willing to pay to find true love? And why do the things that give us pleasure make us feel so guilty?

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Shame Spiral

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Shame Spiral

    Everything about this play. The Bachelor is a phenomena that just won't die, but why? Underneath it all is a culture of shame as we strive to be perfect for that chance of being seen, of being loved. Excellent.

    Everything about this play. The Bachelor is a phenomena that just won't die, but why? Underneath it all is a culture of shame as we strive to be perfect for that chance of being seen, of being loved. Excellent.

  • Playwrights Foundation: Shame Spiral

    Playwrights Foundation congratulates SHAME SPIRAL as a Finalist for BAPF 2020. This play rose to the top 35 out of 735 plays submitted, and was discussed at length by our Bay Area Literary Council for consideration in our season. We loved how this play uses the language of theater to illuminate challenging perspectives and compelling intersectional questions. This play ultimately moved & inspired us and spoke to the core mission of PF. We hope that once we’re allowed to return to our theaters again, it will be considered for production to reach new audiences.

    Playwrights Foundation congratulates SHAME SPIRAL as a Finalist for BAPF 2020. This play rose to the top 35 out of 735 plays submitted, and was discussed at length by our Bay Area Literary Council for consideration in our season. We loved how this play uses the language of theater to illuminate challenging perspectives and compelling intersectional questions. This play ultimately moved & inspired us and spoke to the core mission of PF. We hope that once we’re allowed to return to our theaters again, it will be considered for production to reach new audiences.

  • Erin Ryan Burdette: Shame Spiral

    This is hilarious, heartbreaking, thought-provoking and ridiculously relatable even though I happen to be 48 instead of twenty-something. I too, sweet female comrade, cannot peel my eyes from the wreckage that is The Bachelor/Bachelorette and all that squeezes into a teeny weeny cocktail dress. And I'm married with three children. Sorry I cannot offer more hope for the future of getting past this embarrassing despair, though I do see your writing career going swimmingly. Bravo, fellow UCSD sister! -you have a new fan.

    This is hilarious, heartbreaking, thought-provoking and ridiculously relatable even though I happen to be 48 instead of twenty-something. I too, sweet female comrade, cannot peel my eyes from the wreckage that is The Bachelor/Bachelorette and all that squeezes into a teeny weeny cocktail dress. And I'm married with three children. Sorry I cannot offer more hope for the future of getting past this embarrassing despair, though I do see your writing career going swimmingly. Bravo, fellow UCSD sister! -you have a new fan.

View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

  • The Wifey
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • The Slut
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • The Desperate MILF
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • The Crying Virgin
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • The Playwright
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • The Asshole
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • The Bigshot Hotshot
    Character Age
    30s-40s
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • The Knight in Shining Armor
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization UC San Diego, Year 2018

Production History

  • Type University, Organization UC San Diego, Year 2019

Awards