No Fences by Jan Probst

An older woman in a small town in the Midwest, recalls how she and her best friend survived the 1960s sexism of the town fathers with wit, humor and a fair share of moxy.
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No Fences

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  • J.Lois Diamond:
    31 Aug. 2021
    “ This play really captures a whole world, through the unwavering attention to the details of objects, both discarded and found. It features a huge range of characters the single actress performing, can embody and take with us on her journey. Well done! ”
  • Donald E. Baker:
    9 Aug. 2021
    “ The small town in this play has no fences but it sure has boundaries, so when two women decide they want to own a junk yard, everyone conspires to thwart such an inappropriate notion. I was raised in a small Indiana town, and Jan Probst has perfectly captured, without resorting to caricature, the cadences and concerns of my parents' generation, especially the skillful wielding of collective memory to heal or to hurt as the occasion demands. It's a rich portrayal that would be a tour de force for a versatile actress. Brava! ”
  • Donna Stuccio:
    2 Aug. 2020
    “ Playwright Jan Probst has crafted a play with beautiful language, rich and descriptive. Catapulted into the world of the play, I could smell pies and Swansen's chicken; hear water boiling as the steam lifted. The ephemera of character's lives always present. It's bursting with wisdom, life and expertly drawn characters. A feast for the imagination and an expertly drawn story outlining Etta's strength in surviving the stifling pall of sexism. Everyday musings are packed with moments that flesh out the lives, loves and wants of all who move about this small town long ago. I didn't want to leave... ”

1 female actor plays all roles:
ETTA - Widow, country girl, living in her home town. Sweet, shy. Late sixties.
ANNA - The spirit of Etta’s life-long best friend, who died a few months ago. Fiesty. Outgoing one of the pair.
NED - Long time neighbor and friend of Etta and Anna. Ten years younger.
YOUNGER ETTA - Etta about twenty years ago.
YOUNGER ANNA - Anna about twenty years ago.
RALPH - Town banker. Does not like change. Same generation as Etta and Anna.
VERA - Town busybody. Grew up with Etta.

Production History

  • Fringe
    ,
    San Francisco Fringe Festival
    ,
    1999
  • Professional
    ,
    Women's Work at Venue Nine, San Francisco
    ,
    1998
  • Professional
    ,
    Acton Street Players
    ,
    1998