A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Decision Height

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  9w

Meredith Dayna Levy

Virginia Hascall has left her home and fiancee to become a Women Airforce Service Pilot, and do her part to help defeat the Axis powers in the Second World War. Through triumph and tragedy, she and her sisters in flight suits learn as much about themselves as they do about airplanes...

Decision Height

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    9w
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period, Docudrama/History
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2013 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival New Play Award

Details

Summary

From the winner of the 2013 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, comes a story about friendship and the complex though essential role of women in wartime. Virginia Hascall has left her home and fiancee to become a Women Airforce Service Pilot, and do her part to help defeat the Axis powers in the Second World War. Through triumph and tragedy, she and her sisters in flight suits learn as much about themselves as they do about airplanes. As the war rages over there, the women form a sisterhood that cannot be broken, and Virginia must make a decision that will change her life forever. With a cast of nine vibrant female characters, Decision Height offers a look into an underrecognized subset of American heros and revises history into herstory. 

History

Decision Height was produced by Hollins University and the Hollins Playwright's Lab and premièred on the Mill Mountain Theatre's Trinkle Stage in Roanoke, VA. The production, under the direction of Ernest Zulia, opened on January 24, 2014.

Keywords
Performing Groups

VIRGINIA HASCALL – early 20's. The empathetic observer.
EDITH "EDDIE" HARKNELL– mid 20's. The blunt and quick witted "hot pilot."
NORMA JEAN HARRIS– late 20's. The confident teacher. 
ROSALIE HARTSON– late teens/early 20's. The brave dreamer. 
ALICE HAWKINS– late 20's. The cool intellect. 
CAROL HENDERSON– late teens/early 20's. The brazen and earnest runt of the litter. 
MRS. DEATON– late 30's/early 40's. The government-employed den mother.
ZIGGIE LEWIS– early to mid 40's. A rare woman indeed. 
MILDRED SIMMONS– late 20's. A woman of few loyalties.
ENSEMBLE MEMBERS– (optional)

  • Time Period 1940s/WWII
  • Setting

    November 1943 through May 1944, at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. 

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Play with Music
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes
    • Smoking

Media

“Beautifully written... a must-see for fans of American history, women’s history, and just overall great theater.” – Triangle Arts & Entertainment

“Celebrates the depth of friendship and camaraderie.” – Dan Smith, fromtheeditr

“Decision Height tells a story that needs to be heard... These spirited, lovable characters captivate the stage and tell the story of a time in which women took to the battlefield in hopes of defeating the Nazi regime.” – The Times-News (Burlington, NC)

“A well-constructed and well-respected play... beautifully written... It is a must-see for fans of American history, women’s history, and just overall great theater.” – Triangle Arts & Entertainment

Videos

  • Hollins Theatre, Mill Mt. Theatre Present "Decision Height" youtube thumbnail

    Hollins Theatre, Mill Mt. Theatre Present "Decision Height"

  • A talk with Some of the Decision Height Creative Team youtube thumbnail

    A talk with Some of the Decision Height Creative Team

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Meredith Dayna Levy

Meredith Dayna Levy

Meredith Dayna Levy is a cisgendered lesbian playwright based in Roanoke, Va. She writes plays rooted in lived experience and emotional truth, and aims to make space through her work for dynamic, challenging women (both on stage and off).

Her full-length historical drama Decis ...

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