Cathy’s Ark
3m/3f | Full-length
Sadie — 16. Always true to herself; she has an immense heart that she is often afraid to show to others. A loner by choice.
Doug — 37. Trying to stay afloat, perpetually exhausted.
Maggie — 67. An incredibly kind soul; always devoted to those she loves, perhaps to a fault.
Roy — 70. Has a permanent grit about him, but deeply feels his mortality.
Dr. McKinsey — 55. Charming and well aware of it; has big plans for himself.
Cathy — 34. Radiates warmth; at complete peace with herself and her past decisions.
SADIE
I can't, like, live with Grannie and Poppy. They're okay if you see them in, like, two hour chunks but living with them? I can't do that.
DOUG
I did. For eighteen years.
SADIE
And look at you!
DOUG
That's not funny.
SADIE
They're gonna make me go to church, and like... they're gonna quiz me on the Bible or something.
DOUG
Why would they do that?
SADIE
Because it's -- it's them! That's who they are.
DOUG
Honey, I'm sorry. I wish it didn't have to be this way. I wish we could've kept the apartment and I was with you and we could go see a movie or something but we can't. And that's, like, that's just the reality. The Life We Now Live. You just have to stay with them until I get out.
Description
Set in Tyler, TX. After her father is put in jail, 16-year-old Sadie is forced to move in with her Bible-thumping grandparents. Their pastor convinced them that a second Biblical flood was imminent. Now that the prophetic date has passed, they’re stuck with their frivolous and reckless purchases. When Sadie learns of this, she becomes determined to leave town and find her long-lost mother.
Production History
Excerpt of Cathy’s Ark published in Literature Today January 2023 Issue
Reading — SMU, New Visions/New Voices Festival 2021