Nerds
by Debra Oswald

Sixteen-year-old Gillian is a nerd, a misfit, totally uncool who sees herself as fat, ugly and a social cripple.

Throughout this play, commissioned by the Canberra Youth Theatre specifically for teenagers, Gillian takes us on a funny, excruciating journey through the world of adolescent anguish and awkwardness.

She finds it hard to cope with her bright gung-ho sister, who is not only totally together physically but also has a bouncy, positive mental attitude; her gossipy girlfriends; her addiction to chocolate; and her desperate quest to be beautiful and popular.

So when she develops a crush on the school heartthrob and finds herself on a blind date with a mega-nerd, Gillian feels pushed to the edge.

But in a surprise ending, Gillian triumphs with an exhilarating moment of self-awareness and confidence.

Area staging.