Plan-B Theatre Celebrates Black History Month With DUMBED DOWN World Premiere

Plan-B Theatre Company will celebrate Black History Month with the world premiere of Dumbed Down, a new play by Darryl Stamp, presented in the Studio Theatre at The Rose. The production will run from February 12 through March 1, 2026.

Written by Stamp and inspired by his 25-year career as an educator, Dumbed Down centers on Kevin, a teacher preparing to leave the profession—again. As he contemplates his departure, the play asks what happens to students who may otherwise fall through the cracks, exploring the intersections of language, care, and education in contemporary classrooms. The 60-minute play is performed without intermission.

Performances will take place Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. The February 14 performance will be ASL interpreted, and the February 21 performance will be sensory-friendly and followed by a post-show discussion.

The cast includes Jacob Barnes, Chad Brown, Danor Gerald, and Alex Smith. The production is directed by Jerry Rapier, with design and creative contributions from Derek Williamson (costumes), Emilio Casillas (lighting), Cheryl Ann Cluff (sound), Janice Chan (scenic design), Sharah Meservy (props design and education coordination), and Alisha Jones (graphic design). Additional members of the creative team include Education Liaison Aliyah Bacca, Intimacy Director Rebekah JoAnn Guerra, Scenic Builder and Electrician David Knoell, and Stage Manager Taylor Wallace.