Flying

by Sheila Cowley

Susan flew military planes in WWII, so men could go and fight. Now she’s been ordered to get back to normal, while the town waits for her local hero husband to come home.

Finalist, Marin Theatre Company's 2018 David Calicchio Emerging American Playwright Prize. Finalist, Theatre Conspiracy New Play Contest 2018. Finalist, Florida Repertory Theatre, PlayLab Festival 2017. Semi-Finalist, Geva Theatre 2016. Semi-Finalist, O'Neill Theater Center 2015 National Playwrights Conference. Semi-Finalist, Ashland New Plays Festival 2015.

Flying looks at life propelled by stories, as the town tells glory tales of Bob and Susan tries to put away her memories of flying.

Susan is comfortable in Bob’s shadow. Now she’s using Bob’s legend to keep his family airfield going, since no one would bring an airplane to a woman for repairs. So when Bob is killed in action, it’s easier for Susan to pretend he’s coming home - for as long as she can.

When Bob’s wounded gunner comes looking for a job, she’s forced to hire him. Fisher struggles with an artificial leg and an airfield run by women, as the stories of the town reveal Susan through what they leave out.

Flying is drawn from oral histories and memoirs of women who served in the WASP program. It explores the aftermath of war and the quiet, daily acts of heroism that never earn a medal.

"Our strongest ever season opening weekend at the box office since we started the company in 2007. Set two records for talkback attendance." - Bill Lelbach, Chenango River Theatre.

"This show is relevant and timely in so many ways. It gently sears and stays with you." - Robin Gordon, Tampa Repertory Theatre.

"Interweaving interpersonal relationships, personal identity, a community's economic struggle and loss -- inside of a social and historical context-- inside of memory-- layers the story beautifully. The diverse casting challenges the audience to review the specificity of history, while providing a universal doorway through which we can see ourselves." - Fanni Green, University of South Florida School of Theatre & Dance.

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Flying

Recommended by

Cheryl Bear: Flying by Sheila Cowley

“

A terrific, moving story that gives the women fighting for us at war a voice. Exquisite!

A terrific, moving story that gives the women fighting for us at war a voice. Exquisite!

”
Donna Gordon: Flying by Sheila Cowley

“

Ms. Cowley captures the spirit of WWII aviators so well. Her knowledge of airplanes is impressive, and the imaginations she gives the characters reflects their experiences in the war. The return of the hero theme is balanced with the effects of the war on a disabled veteran and three women aviators struggling to survive. Isn't that life - the beautiful and the damaged. Fortunately these women are superbly capable of building a new life. A vast topic that is pared down to the effects of war on a small town. The writing is historical theater at its best.

Ms. Cowley captures the spirit of WWII aviators so well. Her knowledge of airplanes is impressive, and the imaginations she gives the characters reflects their experiences in the war. The return of the hero theme is balanced with the effects of the war on a disabled veteran and three women aviators struggling to survive. Isn't that life - the beautiful and the damaged. Fortunately these women are superbly capable of building a new life. A vast topic that is pared down to the effects of war on a small town. The writing is historical theater at its best.

”
Doug DeVita: Flying by Sheila Cowley

“

What a touching, moving, and exquisite play; beautifully written, it is filled with both the joy and despair of life, delivered in a forthright and truthful manner that is both engaging, and heartbreaking. Absolutely lovely.

What a touching, moving, and exquisite play; beautifully written, it is filled with both the joy and despair of life, delivered in a forthright and truthful manner that is both engaging, and heartbreaking. Absolutely lovely.

”

View all 8 recommendations

Character Information

Casting note: While the women who served in the WWII WASP program were almost all white, this script was written for diverse casting.

Lucy

Pilot and mechanic

Character Age

20s-30s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Laura

Aviatrix

Character Age

40s-60s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Doc

Susan's father

Character Age

50s-60s

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  50s,
  
  60s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
Susan

Pilot

Character Age

30s

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Rory Fisher

WWII veteran. FISHER has an artificial leg and pronounced limp. On the same side of his body, his hand doesn't fully function.

Character Age

30s-early 40s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male

Development History

Type Reading, Urban Stages, Year 2018
Type Reading, Organization American Stage, Year 2017
Type Reading, Organization Austin Playhouse, Year 2017
Type Reading, American Blues Theater, Year 2017
Type Reading, Organization Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Year 2017
Type Reading, Organization The Tampa Repertory Theatre, Year 2016
Type Reading, Organization Equity Library Theatre of Chicago, at Chicago Dramatists, Year 2015
Type Reading, Organization American Actors UK, Tristan Bates Theatre, London, Year 2015

Production History

Type Professional, Organization PYGmalion Productions, Year 2020
Type Professional, Organization Tampa Rep directed by L. Peter Callender of the African American Shakespeare Company on Zoom, Year 2020
Type Professional, Organization Chenango River Theatre, Year 2017
Type Professional, Organization The Tampa Repertory Theatre, Year 2017

Awards

Theatre Conspiracy Annual New Play Contest

Theatre Conspiracy

Finalist

2018
David Calicchio Emerging American Playwright Prize

Marin Theatre Company

Finalist

2018
Todd McNerney Playwriting Award

College of Charleston

Runner Up

2017
Blue Ink Festival

American Blues Theater, Chicago

Finalist

2017
Austin Playhouse Festival of New American Plays

Austin Playhouse

Finalist

2017
PlayLab Festival

Florida Repertory Theatre

Finalist

2017
Theatricum Botanicum Seedlings Workshop

Theatricum Botanicum

Finalist

2016
Ashland New Plays Festival

Ashland New Plays Festival

Semi-Finalist

2016
O'Neill Theater Center National Playwrights Conference

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center

Semi-Finalist

2016

Genre

drama,

period

Subject Matter Keywords

World War II,

pilot,

storytelling

Length

90 minutes to two hours

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

all ages

Narrative Attributes

Centers Female Characters

Reviews

Creative Loafing Tampa

“
Sheila Cowley’s Flying is one of the finest things I’ve seen all year. . . I could write a research paper on the interactions of the characters.
”
The Utah Review

“
"Builds a compelling multifaceted narrative that is an elucidating profile not only about how women such as Susan were quickly forgotten and struggled after the war but also how injured veterans such as Fisher were treated."
”