Load-Bearing Walls

FULL LENGTH: Sophie fights for her legal rights to inherit the home and accounts of her partner, Lena.
Challenged by Lena’s mother, Lauren, the asexual nature of their partnership is called into question and put on trial. Load-Bearing Walls focuses on themes of romance, love, dignity in death, and the value that society places on sexual relationships.

This play was inspired by a Swedish Supreme Court ruling in...

FULL LENGTH: Sophie fights for her legal rights to inherit the home and accounts of her partner, Lena.
Challenged by Lena’s mother, Lauren, the asexual nature of their partnership is called into question and put on trial. Load-Bearing Walls focuses on themes of romance, love, dignity in death, and the value that society places on sexual relationships.

This play was inspired by a Swedish Supreme Court ruling in July 2022. An ace couple lived together for 13 years before one woman died. Despite her will, leaving their home and assets to her partner, her family contested because Swedish law stated that marriage was defined by consummation and inheritance was determined by marriage. The partner won and the Supreme Court amended their constitution, validating relationships that do not include sex.

This is not their story, but one of my own imaginings, because we do live in a society that values sex over intimacy and sexual relationships over platonic ones.

TRIGGER WARNINGS
Acephobia, death and dying, miscarriage

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Load-Bearing Walls

Recommended by

  • Jenna Jane: Load-Bearing Walls

    Heartbreaking, beautiful, and timely. The time-jumping is always poignant, never confusing or distracting. I love the way the different versions of the wall are woven in throughout.

    Heartbreaking, beautiful, and timely. The time-jumping is always poignant, never confusing or distracting. I love the way the different versions of the wall are woven in throughout.

Character Information

SOPHIE FLORES female, any ethnicity, stage age 38, though she portrays 21-38
LENA ALTMAN female, any ethnicity, stage age 51, though she portrays 34-51
LAUREN ALTMAN female, any ethnicity, stage age 77, though she portrays 60-77
  • Sophie Flores
    female, any ethnicity, stage age 38, though she portrays 21-38
    Character Age
    38
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis female
  • Lena Altman
    female, any ethnicity, stage age 51, though she portrays 34-51
    Character Age
    51
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis female
  • Lauren Altman
    female, any ethnicity, stage age 77, though she portrays 60-77
    Character Age
    77
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Lesbian Thespian Theatre, Year 2023
  • Type Workshop, Organization Heartland Theatre Company, Year 2023

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization Lesbian Thespian Theatre, Year 2025