←Recommendations of A Girl Who Acts Like That

Echos.
The cliches are cliches for a reason. And the more things change, the more they stay the same. This short morsel, set in the early 1970s, reverberates with themes and feelings that are just as relevant and meaningful today. The dialogue and characters are execptionally will crafted, and only draw you in to the story. It is a fantastic piece to insert into your festival to offer a subtle commentary on contemporary life, as all good drama should do.

Recently read at the Midwest Dramatists Convention, this period short play could well be written about today. Linda wants to leave town and go to California because the boys are grabby. Gladys says that's how boys are. But what if Glady's husband is like that, too? Sadly, this play, with its excellent dialogue, is still true today.

10/24/2025: I saw an excellent staged reading of this brilliant play at the MDC 2025. The events in 'A Girl Who Acts Like That" take place in 1972, Nebraska, USA. However, the themes are universal. The oppression, the problems girls face, the anger, the frustration —this play transcends time, culture, and society; it's universal. Bravo!

A wonderful play that moves you more than you might expect in just 10 minutes. Caught this at the 2025 Midwest Dramatists Conference and was taken by its surface charm that quickly yields deep generational divides among women on the subject of sexual harassment and assault. Great characters for female actors younger and older and simple to produce. A piece that would undoubtedly provoke thought and discussion on serious matters that, unfortunately, continue to be timeless.

The power of this play lies, not only in Ferguson’s specific setting and rich dialogue, but in how even with a period setting, it’s characters and circumstances resonate strongly (and sadly) with today. Women of different generations contend with patriarchy in different ways, and this play demonstrates that solidarity between women is not easily won. Excellent and resonant short.

With vividly drawn characters, the play presents a thought-provoking examination of the mores surrounding sexual assault-- then and now. The dialogue is smart and realistic. This was a standout presentation at the Midwest Dramatists Conference, and, altogether, a succinct and satisfying slice of life.

This play takes place in a well-defined past that unfortunately resonates with attitudes today. It's about how older women who have made compromises in their lives try to temper the indignation of younger women. Each of these characters seem very real and the dialogue crackles with bitterness. Highly recommend. (I saw a reading at the Midwest Dramatists Center)

I saw this script as a reading at the Midwest Dramatists Conference. Set in the 1970's, it is, sadly, a tale that seems it will never grow old between women not listening when they call out inappropriate behavior of men. Ferguson draws the generational boundaries and priorities of her characters very well. Well written language that reflects the time, this script remains relevant to our current times.

I am still thinking about this play two months after seeing it. It’s a beautiful and nuanced dive into the messy mix of pain and hope that was once - and still is - the experience of coming of age as a woman in America. Important work for all ages!

Tightly written and constructed for maximum impact in a short span of time. I am impressed by how the play starts out light and mostly convivial, but microaggressions build slowly until a full reveal of just how threatening the environment is for these characters. The vision presented is all too real and bleak, yet we thrill to see the younger character stand up for herself, especially in this place and time.