Fan Me With a Brick: The Story of an American Family

by Kenley Smith

When Victoria sets out to learn more of her family’s history, she opens a portal to a past full of loss, pain and indomitable perseverance. Her mother reluctantly joins her, and the two women uncover old wounds — a scandalous affair in segregated Virginia, a stolen child, a lost parent, a horrific accident — that linger unhealed in the present. The play is based on actual events. Original research by Yalewa...

When Victoria sets out to learn more of her family’s history, she opens a portal to a past full of loss, pain and indomitable perseverance. Her mother reluctantly joins her, and the two women uncover old wounds — a scandalous affair in segregated Virginia, a stolen child, a lost parent, a horrific accident — that linger unhealed in the present. The play is based on actual events. Original research by Yalewa Sparrowhawk.

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Fan Me With a Brick: The Story of an American Family

Recommended by

  • Claudia Barnett: Fan Me With a Brick: The Story of an American Family by Kenley Smith
    “

    Fan Me With a Brick takes us on an unforgettable journey to a past both lucid and surreal. Set at once in the near present and the Jim Crow south, this dual-narrative captivates us with vivid characters and the love and cruelty they inflict on one another. This play is filled with poetic language and images, as well as memorable horrors and moments of grace.

    Fan Me With a Brick takes us on an unforgettable journey to a past both lucid and surreal. Set at once in the near present and the Jim Crow south, this dual-narrative captivates us with vivid characters and the love and cruelty they inflict on one another. This play is filled with poetic language and images, as well as memorable horrors and moments of grace.

    ”

Character Information

DOUBLING OPTIONS:
LOUISA / LIZA STEWART
BROTHER / DARNELL
COBBLER / JOSEPH CHURCH
LITTLE CATHERINE / LITTLE VICTORIA
COUNTY MAN / DOCTOR
JAMES / POLICEMAN
MARY / NURSE #1 / NURSE #2 / MRS. LUGAR / MRS. HALLOWAY
  • Liza Stewart
    60s
    African American
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Cobbler
    50+
    African American
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Mrs. Halloway
    30+
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Darnell
    8+
    Mixed
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • John Persinger
    30+
    Biracial or person of color
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Mrs. Lugar
    30+
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Young Catherine (1934-1963)
    20+
    Biracial or person of color
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Nurse #2
    20+
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Nurse #1
    20+
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
  • Doctor
    30+
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Policeman
    20+
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Phoebe
    20s
    African American
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Brother
    8+
    African American
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • County Man
    40+
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Mary
    20s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • James
    20s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Little Catherine
    6+
    Biracial or person of color
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Louisa
    50s
    African American
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Little Victoria / Pink Girl
    6+
    Biracial or person of color
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Joseph Church
    70s
    African American
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Victoria
    30s
    Mixed
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Catherine (1993)
    70s
    Biracial or person of color
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, Tennessee Playwrights Studio, 2021
  • Reading, Tennessee Playwrights Studio, 2018

Production History

  • Professional, Tennessee Playwrights Studio, 2023

Awards

  • Outstanding Original Work
    2024 First Night Awards
    Winner
    2023
  • 7th Annual New Works Festival
    Gulfshore Playhouse
    Semi-Finalist
    2019
  • Finalist
    Botanicum Seedlings
    2019