A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Gradient

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  2w, 3m

Steph Del Rosso

In this sharp satire set in the not-so-distant future, a new facility promises to take men accused of sexual misconduct and rehabilitate them into responsible citizens. Steph Del Rosso’s bold new play asks: Can we mass-produce forgiveness?

The Gradient

Request licence
Get the Script
  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary

In a not-so-distant future, men accused of sexual misconduct are sent to The Gradient to reckon with their mistakes and get rehabilitated. New employee Tess is eager to hold men accountable and enact change – but it might not be as simple as it seems.

Steph Del Rosso's fresh, stinging satire is prescient, provocative and often very funny.

History
The Gradient premiered at St. Louis Rep. in Webster Groves, Missouri on October 3, 2021. Directed by Amelia Acosta Powell, the production featured Stephanie Machado, Yousof Sultani, Christina Acosta Robinson, William DeMeritt and Stephen Cefalu.
Keywords
Performing Groups
TESS – New to the job.
NATALIA – Old hat at the job.
JACKSON – A client.
LOUIS – A potential ally.
CLIENTS 1-8 – A montage of men.
A VERY SOOTHING VOICE – Voiced by the actor playing Natalia.
  • Time Period New Millennium/21st Century, The Future
  • Setting The interior of a pristine office building. The not-so-distant future.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No Intermission
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Timely... provocative... a work that addresses a pressing and problematic issue.” – St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Channels outrage into comedy.” – St. Louis Magazine

“Well-written and timely... Del Rosso’s one-act work is well constructed from its amusing start to its disturbing conclusion, showing how adept the playwright is at her craft... The Gradient is an example of a particular genre of science fiction, which at first appears disarmingly normal and then slowly reveals a more sinister element at play.” – Ladue News

Videos

  • The Gradient - St. Louis Rep Trailer youtube thumbnail

    The Gradient - St. Louis Rep Trailer

  • The Gradient - St. Louis Rep Commercial youtube thumbnail

    The Gradient - St. Louis Rep Commercial

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:
Get the Script

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Steph Del Rosso

Steph Del Rosso
Steph Del Rosso writes plays, fiction, film, and television. Her work has been produced or developed at Second Stage Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Studio Theatre, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Kennedy Center, Alliance Theatre, Ojai Playwrights Conference, and others. ...
View full profile

Now Playing

Related