Before Lesbians

by Elana Gartner

When Charlotte and Vivian meet, they are about to marry their fiancés who are leaving to fight for President Lincoln. Through letters and visits, Charlotte and Vivian nurture their friendship, sharing books and projects to support the troops and their husbands. In an era where women were not recognized as sexual beings and when words did not exist for women falling in love, Charlotte and Vivian struggle to...

When Charlotte and Vivian meet, they are about to marry their fiancés who are leaving to fight for President Lincoln. Through letters and visits, Charlotte and Vivian nurture their friendship, sharing books and projects to support the troops and their husbands. In an era where women were not recognized as sexual beings and when words did not exist for women falling in love, Charlotte and Vivian struggle to understand the confusing feelings they are developing for each other while the Civil War rages on.

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Before Lesbians

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Before Lesbians by Elana Gartner
    “

    A moving and beautifully portrayed love story during a time when there's a world pulling them together and apart simultaneously. Excellent.

    A moving and beautifully portrayed love story during a time when there's a world pulling them together and apart simultaneously. Excellent.

    ”
  • Barbara Blumenthal-Ehrlich: Before Lesbians by Elana Gartner
    “

    A poignant and beautifully-crafted story of love's discovery in a time before language helped women navigate the new and surprising revelations about lesbian relationships. The irrepressable romance between Charlotte and Vivian in the Civil War era unfolds in real time with exquisite and passionate moments of self discovery. Couldn't put it down. Would love to see it staged!

    A poignant and beautifully-crafted story of love's discovery in a time before language helped women navigate the new and surprising revelations about lesbian relationships. The irrepressable romance between Charlotte and Vivian in the Civil War era unfolds in real time with exquisite and passionate moments of self discovery. Couldn't put it down. Would love to see it staged!

    ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: Before Lesbians by Elana Gartner
    “

    Before Lesbians is a beautiful play that Gartner crafts with great skill. The characters are blessed with both internal and external conflicts that Gartner teases out line by line so that the characters have to reinvent themselves before our eyes. This transformation is both enchanting, exhilarating and heartbreaking. Read it, produce it, let it live on many stages. And may we all find ways to re-imagine ourselves inspired by this play.

    Before Lesbians is a beautiful play that Gartner crafts with great skill. The characters are blessed with both internal and external conflicts that Gartner teases out line by line so that the characters have to reinvent themselves before our eyes. This transformation is both enchanting, exhilarating and heartbreaking. Read it, produce it, let it live on many stages. And may we all find ways to re-imagine ourselves inspired by this play.

    ”
View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

JAMES: Male, Caucasian, early 20’s. Upper middle class. Works for the government.

CHARLOTTE: Female, Caucasian, early 20’s. Upper middle class.

HENRY: Male, Caucasian, mid-20’s. Middle class. Interest in personal accounting business.

VIVIAN: Female, Caucasian, mid-20’s. Middle class. Bookworm.
  • Charlotte
    Upper Middle Class.
    Early 20's
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Vivian
    Middle class. Bookworm.
    Mid 20's
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • James
    Upper Middle Class.
    Early 20's
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Henry
    Middle class. Interest in accounting.
    Mid 20's
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Dayton FutureFest, 2020
  • Reading, Good Luck Macbeth, 2020
  • Reading, YellowRose Productions, 2019
  • Reading, Oberlin College, 2017
  • Workshop, EMG Playwriting Workshop and Manhattan Oracles, 2016

Awards

  • Henley Rose Playwright Competition for Women (2nd Place)
    Yellow Rose Productions
    2018