“You created this. You fueled their anger just to keep them active… I hope you never forgive yourself for it.”
The Outrage Machine synopsis:
The Outrage Machine is a semi-comedic exploration of internet journalism, social media, and the culture of outrage. Twenty-something Rina Marsh gets a job writing headlines for The Centurion, an upstart website aiming to stand out for its integrity and responsibility. Rina finds that pushing people's anger buttons results in more views, and she and the website become rapidly successful. But one headline goes too far, and Rina finds out what happens when an angry public gets out of control.
Casting note: the ensemble roles, and Val Moon, are written to be played by any gender.
Awards:
Winner, Essential Theatre Playwrighting Award, 2020
Production History:
Selected for production by Essential Theatre
postponed due to COVID-19
Reading, Essential Theatre
Bare Essentials Play Reading Series
directed by Peter Hardy
Rylee Bunton as Rina
Bridget McCarthy as Ellie
Charles Travontia Thomas as Val Moon
Joey Davila as Henny
Jon Vertullo as Neil/Ari/Whit
Parris Sarter as Blair/Everett
Aaron Gotlieb as Tay/Jude/Kennedy
Najah Ali as Marlen/Corie/Host
Also thanks to Michael & McKenzie Tarver, Kirstin Calvert, Emily Sams Brown, Erika Ragsdale, Tamil Periasamy, Barbara Washington, and Chris Schulz for participating in a developmental reading of the play.