#Viral is a dynamic one-act that examines bullying culture, “mean girl” hostility, and the insidious permanence of social media and the internet. On her 16th birthday, a girl is pranked by her “friends”: They accost her in the locker room, strip her down to her underwear, and shave her head. Before an adult can intervene, the instigator has taken a picture and posted it to social media. Even though the initial post is removed, the damage is permanent. The girl--who was the homecoming queen, the ringleader, and a bully herself--disappears from school. Now the people involved have to sort through the aftermath. Barbara, the teacher who found her, has to cope with not only the discipline reports but the angry parents and their cruelty. Megan, the instigator, has to recognize her guilt. Anna, the follower, has to find her own bravery and stand up for what is right. Deb, the jokester, has to see her own hypocrisy and cruelty. Morgan, the outsider, has to stop standing on the sidelines when someone is getting hurt. And Lucy, the tattletale, has to summon the motivation to carry on in the face of such cruelty. In an empty space, surrounded by a chorus of internet Trolls, these young women reflect on what it takes to do what is right and stand up to bullies, stand against cruelty, and find empathy for others.
#Viral guide sections
