Control of the Dirt

by Louise Schwarz

In this tragicomic play, grieving widow Vanessa is trying to kick her late wife's nightmare-ish burden of a sister out of her apartment. When an easy way out presents itself through one of her therapy clients, she has a difficult decision to make between her own well-being and that of her patient.

Full-length.

In this tragicomic play, grieving widow Vanessa is trying to kick her late wife's nightmare-ish burden of a sister out of her apartment. When an easy way out presents itself through one of her therapy clients, she has a difficult decision to make between her own well-being and that of her patient.

Full-length.

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Control of the Dirt

Character Information

  • Vanessa
    mental health counselor at a small liberal
    arts college, usually a very measured and controlled demeanor
    50ish
    African American/Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Selina
    mid-to-late 40s White woman, very scattered and high-energy demeanor
    Late 40s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Kit
    19-year-old college student, geeky and owns it
    19
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Fielding
    early 60s, reticent blue-collar man, Kit's father
    early 60s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Gillian
    40-something woman, events coordinator at the college, can be female or non-binary
    Late 40s
    Any
    Femme or non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, TRU Voices, 2025
  • Reading, Hudson Valley Theatre Festival, 2024
  • Reading, Playwrights Round Table, 2023

Production History

  • Community Theater, Playwrights Round Table, 2024

Awards

  • Stage Play Category
    Austin Film Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2023
  • Stage Play Category
    Script Awards Los Angeles
    Finalist
    2023
  • Stage Play Category
    Chicago Script Awards
    Winner
    2023
  • Stage Play Category
    New York Script Awards
    Selection
    2023