Darryl Stamp's "Dumbed Down" Set for Plan-B Theatre World Premiere

Playwright's experiences as a teacher inspire story about the challenges of the education system.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Ahead of the world premiere of Darryl Stamp's play "Dumbed Down" at Plan-B Theatre, audiences should see the story not just as the familiar trope of the school-to-prison pipeline, but as a broader examination of the messy education system and its impacts on communities. The play follows an African-American English teacher, Kevin Simon, as he navigates the systemic challenges his students face and tries to provide them with relevant educational experiences.

Why it matters

Stamp's experiences as a teacher, including his time in the Kansas City, Kansas Teaching Fellows program and later teaching literature in Utah, have deeply informed the play. The story aims to shine a light on the critical role of dedicated educators like Simon who are committed to making a difference, despite the daunting challenges they face.

The details

In "Dumbed Down", Kevin Simon, an African-American English teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School, knows firsthand the struggles his students Malcolm and Craig face. He tries to mentor them and open doors to knowledge, while also dealing with a beleaguered school principal. The play also features Isaiah, a former student a few years older than Malcolm and Craig. Stamp, who has had diverse roles as a stand-up comic, actor, and teacher, draws heavily on his own experiences in the classroom to inform the narrative and characters.

  • Dumbed Down will have its world premiere at Plan-B Theatre this week.
  • Stamp taught literature at Hunter High School in West Valley City, Utah, later in his career.

The players

Darryl Stamp

A playwright whose experiences as a teacher, including in the Kansas City, Kansas Teaching Fellows program and at Hunter High School in Utah, have deeply informed the story of "Dumbed Down".

Kevin Simon

The African-American English teacher at the center of "Dumbed Down", who tries to mentor his students and provide them with relevant educational experiences.

Malcolm Thomas

One of Kevin Simon's students in "Dumbed Down", who faces systemic challenges in the education system.

Craig Wilson

Another of Kevin Simon's students in "Dumbed Down", who also faces difficulties in the education system.

Isaiah Rogers

A former student a few years older than Malcolm and Craig, who is also featured in "Dumbed Down".

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What they’re saying

“So I gave everything to them I wished I would have received. I've put money in students lockers, given away parts of my lunch, stayed after school to talk to students, listened to their problems, and made referrals to trained staff on their behalf. I've been told that I've cared for some students more than their parents. I've had students who wished that I also taught 12th grade!”

— Darryl Stamp, Playwright (theutahreview.com)

What’s next

Performances of "Dumbed Down" will run from February 12 through March 1 in the Studio Theatre at the Rose Wagner Center for Performing Arts.

The takeaway

"Dumbed Down" aims to go beyond the familiar tropes of the school-to-prison pipeline and instead examine the broader, systemic challenges facing the education system and the dedicated teachers like Kevin Simon who are working to make a difference in the lives of their students, despite the daunting obstacles they face.