The Gifted Program

“Carbajal’s humor alternates between lacerating and indulgent, and never slackens.”
– The New Yorker

“More than That 80’s Show meets Revenge of the Nerds … Endearing and witty.”
– Citysearch.com

Set in a Wisconsin high school circa 1985, The Gifted Program centers on four intelligent sophomores bonded by their love of Dungeons & Dragons and their daily struggles at the bottom of the social food chain. When one of them is revealed to be the mysterious radio call-in Romeo courting the school’s most popular girl, their simple pursuit of an education becomes a fight for survival.
(9 Men, 6 Women or 6 men, 3 women/Running Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes)

Published by Dramatists Play Service, The Gifted Program appears in The Best Men’s Stage Monologues of 2005, More Scenes and Monologues from the Best New Plays, and Outstanding Men’s Monologues Volume 2.

Professional and nonprofessional licensing is available through Dramatists Play Service (a ‘high school friendly’ version of the play is available on request).

Purchase the play here.

Productions

Center Stage / OVO
The Gifted Program premiered at New York City’s Center Stage in February of 2003, directed by Mike Shapiro and produced by OVO, Inc.

CAST

PAUL…………………………..Deron Bos
PHIL/STEVE…………………Jeffrey Emerson
CANDY………………………..Hillary Ketchum
BILLY………………………….Sean Modica
JOEY…………………………..Brent Popolizio
RICKY………………………….Jeremy Schwartz
SHELLY/MELODY…………Ari Vena
CYNDI/MS. ROLAND……..Mary Wigmore
LESTER……………………….Aaron Yoo

Soho Rep
This play would not exist without the support of Soho Rep’s Writer/Director Lab, where it was developed.

High School Productions
The Gifted Program has since been seen across the nation, including many high school productions including Rockport High School (Massachusetts), Nordhoff High School (California), New York City’s Museum School and Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens.