The Silver Thread

by Joslyn Housley

In Alabama 1845, three enslaved women, Anarcha, Betsey and Lucy arrive at the makeshift medical lab of J Marion Sims. What happens over the next four years changes the course of modern medicine and alters the lives of all who enter - for they are forever connected by a silver thread. Based on a true story.

In Alabama 1845, three enslaved women, Anarcha, Betsey and Lucy arrive at the makeshift medical lab of J Marion Sims. What happens over the next four years changes the course of modern medicine and alters the lives of all who enter - for they are forever connected by a silver thread. Based on a true story.

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The Silver Thread

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: The Silver Thread by Joslyn Housley
    “

    Playwrights Foundation enthusiastically recommends this play, THE SILVER THREAD, as a Semi-Finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival 2020. We were moved by the quality of the writing and the relevant and compelling themes that spoke to the mission of our festival. It excelled in a competitive process of 735 plays submitted this year and rose to the top after a six month long process discussing its merits with both national and local Bay Area readers, and we hope it moves swiftly towards production.

    Playwrights Foundation enthusiastically recommends this play, THE SILVER THREAD, as a Semi-Finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival 2020. We were moved by the quality of the writing and the relevant and compelling themes that spoke to the mission of our festival. It excelled in a competitive process of 735 plays submitted this year and rose to the top after a six month long process discussing its merits with both national and local Bay Area readers, and we hope it moves swiftly towards production.

    ”

Character Information

4-5 Women, 5-6 Men
  • Empress
    Can double as Mrs. Merrill.
    late 50s-60s
    White
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Anarcha
    about 17
    African-American.
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Betsey
    about 15
    African / African American / Black
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Lucy
    late 30s-40s
    African / African American / Black
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • J Marion Sims
    late 40-50s
    White
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Nathan Boseman
    early 20s
    White
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant) Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Mrs. Merrill
    Can double as Empress
    late 50s-60s
    White
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Wescott
    Possible Doubling with Rush Jones, Butler or Male Servant
    late 40-50s
    White
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Dr. Henry
    Can double as Butler or Male Servant.
    late 50s-60s
    White
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant) Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Rush Jones
    Can double as Wescott, Butler or Male Servant
    late 30s-40s
    White
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant) Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Butler/Servant(s)
    Non-Speaking
    Any Age
    White
    Any gender but probably male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, Great Plains Theatre Conference, 2013
  • Reading, Hudson Valley Writers Center, 2012
  • Reading, Liberation Theatre, 2011

Awards

  • Women Playwrights International Conference Montreal
    Women Playwrights International
    Selection
    2021
  • New American Voices
    The Landing Theatre Company
    Finalist
    2020
  • StageWrite Honorarium
    Great Plains Theatre Conference
    Winner
    2013
  • PlayLab Playwright
    Great Plains Theatre Conference
    Selection
    2013
  • Setting the Stage
    Hudson Valley Writers Center
    Winner
    2012