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King, Kathy Coudle (American playwright, university instructor of English/Women Studies, 1965-____), “Ghost Town,”

a 30-minute drama in English in five scenes, set in a cafe in a small town that has died, North Dakota, U.S.A., the last day of the last business, 2001,

1m1f (or 4m4f);

  •  © 2001 by Kathy Coudle King;  •  script/rights available from Kathy Coudle King, 714 North 25th Street, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58203, U.S.A., e-mail kathleen_king@und.nodak.edu, telephone (home) 701-795-9113, (work) 701-777-2782.  •  Cited by Kathy Coudle King via ftp December 31, 2001; King says,

  §  Dramatis Personae Jim (m), 16, 29, 45, 65, longtime resident; Barb (f), 16, 29, 45, 65, longtime resident.

  §  Synopsis “On the last day of the last business in a town that has died, Barb and Jim recall their personal history and its connections with the small town cafe around which life revolved for over forty years.

  §  Comment “Five short scenes depict stages in the lives of two characters. The production needs two versatile actors; however, if additional actors are available, the play can use four pairs of actors. For a single set of actors, simple costume pieces for both actors and hair changes for Barb suffice to indicate time changes. The set, which remains constant throughout, requires but a couple of tables and chairs to establish the atmosphere of a small cafe in the Midwest.  •  ‘Ghost Town’ highlights the demise of the small town in America and emphasizes the role ‘place’ plays in who we are. People show special interest today in connection to a familiar place and to the consequent wrenching emotions when that place is somehow no longer accessible. ‘Ghost Town’ most definitely addresses this interest.”

  §  Themes American Midwest, cafe, closure, community, dying town, friendship, ghost town, home, life choice, long-term acquaintance, loss, North Dakota, reminiscence, small-town America.
 

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Page mounted January 9, 2002, by the Webmaster.