GLIDERS

by Rita Anderson

In the summer of 1969, three generations of seemingly ordinary women begin to uncover secrets about themselves even as the extraordinary events of the Apollo 11 mission unfold overhead. With space flight on their minds, five women struggle to break free of the expectations and obstacles that confront them on earth. It will take every ounce of courage they have to bust through the atmosphere that contains them....

In the summer of 1969, three generations of seemingly ordinary women begin to uncover secrets about themselves even as the extraordinary events of the Apollo 11 mission unfold overhead. With space flight on their minds, five women struggle to break free of the expectations and obstacles that confront them on earth. It will take every ounce of courage they have to bust through the atmosphere that contains them.

GLIDERS is a magical exploration of what it feels like to be lost in space in a changing world as the cast “glides” into and out of reality--and the present. “(S)he who does not know history is condemned to repeat it.”

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GLIDERS

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: GLIDERS by Rita Anderson
    “

    A riveting look inside the lives of women struggling to free themselves as a flight to space takes place. Revealing and well done.

    A riveting look inside the lives of women struggling to free themselves as a flight to space takes place. Revealing and well done.

    ”
  • Max Langert: GLIDERS by Rita Anderson
    “

    Rita Anderson has a talent for illuminating characters, cranking the lights up so that we care about them more and more as new layers are revealed. Gliders is a great example of this as we’re invited in to join a family of seemingly ordinary women. Just as space exploration reaches new heights, we’re drawn into the family’s emotional truths. The characters break their own new ground -- proving just how exceptional they are -- right as astronauts are landing on the surface of the moon. It’s a satisfying and rich exploration of life and relationships.

    Rita Anderson has a talent for illuminating characters, cranking the lights up so that we care about them more and more as new layers are revealed. Gliders is a great example of this as we’re invited in to join a family of seemingly ordinary women. Just as space exploration reaches new heights, we’re drawn into the family’s emotional truths. The characters break their own new ground -- proving just how exceptional they are -- right as astronauts are landing on the surface of the moon. It’s a satisfying and rich exploration of life and relationships.

    ”
  • Allan Baker: GLIDERS by Rita Anderson
    “

    I loved this play. WWII glider pilots and the Apollo 11 astronauts are a wonderful symbol of what this story is about...courage. The characters are well wrought and presented. The dramatic momentum of the story sweeps, accelerating, to a well-deserved and most satisfying conclusion. On stage, it will engage, then seduce and finally enthrall the audience. I look forward to seeing a production of this play.

    I loved this play. WWII glider pilots and the Apollo 11 astronauts are a wonderful symbol of what this story is about...courage. The characters are well wrought and presented. The dramatic momentum of the story sweeps, accelerating, to a well-deserved and most satisfying conclusion. On stage, it will engage, then seduce and finally enthrall the audience. I look forward to seeing a production of this play.

    ”
CAST 5W, 1M
Madge: Widow, Geraldine/Deborah’s mother. A sexy Leo. Plays ages 33-60.
Geraldine: Delicate and superstitious. The kind who puts plastic on couches. An Aquarius, married to Eddie. Plays 20-46.
Deborah: Solid. Madge’s “baby.” Geraldine’s sister, wife to Curtis, mother to Christine, aunt to Leslie. A Pisces. Plays 12-29.
*Leslie (Dawn): Geraldine and Eddie’s Leo who wants to be a Taurus. Cousin Christine is her only friend. A budding lesbian. Non-binary, gender nonconforming. Plays a large 12.
*Christine: Daughter of Curtis/Deborah. A Virgo. Plays 13.
Curtis: Loving. Husband to Deborah, Christine’s dad. A Scorpio.

*older actors, playing younger

TIME: July 16-24, 1969, mirrors the dates of the Apollo moon landing mission, with fantasy segments to suggest WWII. Various memory sequences also transpire.

SETTING: Various. Suggested.

Development History

  • Reading, James Madison University School of Theatre and Dance, 2017
  • Workshop, WIT (Women in Theatre) Salon & Staged Reading. (Cincinnati), 2015

Production History

  • Community Theater, Different Stages Theatre, 2020

Awards

  • OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPT
    B. Iden Payne Arts Council (BIPAC) Awards
    Finalist
    2020