A PLAYSCRIPTS TITLE

They Promised Her The Moon

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  3w, 3m plus ensemble

Laurel Ollstein

They Promised Her the Moon is based on the true story of Geraldyn “Jerrie” Cobb (1931-2019), a barrier-breaking, world record-holding pilot and almost the first American female astronaut.

They Promised Her The Moon

Request licence
Get the Script
  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 3m plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adventure, Period
They Promised Her The Moon

Details

Summary

The first American woman to test for space flight, Jerrie Cobb, steps into an isolation tank for a record-breaking nine hours as her memories unfold before her, from learning to fly a plane as a child in Oklahoma to testifying in Congressional hearings about the under-the-radar all-female Mercury 13 space program. They Promised Her the Moon is a compelling drama about the challenges of sisterhood and fighting for the greater good, based on a true story.

History

They Promised Her the Moon premiered in an off-Broadway workshop production by the Miranda Theatre Company in 2017.

Keywords

JERRIE COBB – An Oklahoma girl, portrayed from 7–50 years old. 
DR. LOVELACE – A scientist and a doctor, in his 50s. 
MRS. WHITE – Jerrie's first-grade teacher in Oklahoma
CHILD 1 
CHILD 2
JACKIE COCHRAN – Portrayed from 35–55 years old.
HARVEY COBB – Jerrie’s father, portrayed from 30–60 years old.
PILOT HELENA COBB – Jerrie’s mother, in her 30s.
CIRCUS BOB – Owner of a rural Oklahoma circus.
MAYOR – A small-town politician
JACK FORD – A pilot with plenty of swagger, in his 40s.
YOUNG WOMAN
JOHN GLENN – One of the Mercury 7 astronauts.
CONGRESSMAN ANFUSO – New York congressman.
CONGRESSMAN WAGGONNER – Southern congressman.
CARLOS (voice only) – Air traffic controller in the Amazon jungle.
RADIO NEWSCASTER (voice only)
FEMALE REPORTER
VARIOUS OTHER REPORTERS

Roles can be doubled, except for the roles of Jerrie and Jackie.

Roles can be doubled, except for the roles of Jerrie and Jackie.  
Various reporters, school children and voice-overs can be determined in the room.

  • Time Period 1960s, 1940s/WWII
  • Setting

    Memories of childhood in Oklahoma and testing facility at NASA. 1960s.

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 105 Minutes

Licensing & Materials

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

Scripts

Available Formats:
Get the Script

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Laurel Ollstein

Laurel Ollstein
Laurel Ollstein is an award-winning playwright, director, and actor whose produced plays include They Promised Her the Moon, Laughter, Hope and a Sock in the Eye, CHEESE, Esther’s Moustache, Unhappily Married in Valencia, OPA! the Musical, Dorothy Parker Is in the Bath, Black ...
View full profile

Now Playing