Middle school students recently brought "Rotted" to the stage, an original production developed through a Devised Theatre Dive that invited students to explore a topic through creativity, collaboration, and intrinsic motivation rather than grades. The play confronts the idea of “brain rot,” a term defined by Merriam-Webster as the harmful mental effects of consuming mindless or addictive digital content.
In "Rotted," characters Dr. Brain and Ms. Rot run an experiment to increase brain rot during a school assembly, only to find that some students resist and begin a journey toward reclaiming their thinking. That journey ultimately leads them to the library, where curiosity, connection, and critical thought offer a cure. Both clever and reflective, the production offered thoughtful commentary on the impact of extended screen use while highlighting the power of stepping away, choosing conversation, nature, books, and intentional thinking instead.