WHERE NO WOMAN HAS GONE BEFORE: A ONE-ACT PLAY Cast of Characters Scene Time It is five forty-five a.m. Barbara, a middle aged woman, is pacing up and down with a ARTHUR About the Author Susan Courtney is a playwright (Dramatists Guild), short story writer, theater professor (Westchester Community College), theater director & professional actor (Equity/SAG-AFTRA). Having always loved theater, Susan studied Acting in college and went on to get an MA in Theatre from NYU. While teaching Acting for years to college students, senior citizens, and children; Susan was inspired to write her own plays. Weekly writing labs with Artistic New Directions in Manhattan enabled her to cast her plays with actors and develop her plays for production. Recent Play Productions include: WAITING FOR THE TRAIN, Actors Theater Playhouse, West Chesterfield, N.H. (June 2025) WHERE NO WOMAN HAS GONE BEFORE, Illusion/Confusion Play Festival, ATA, NYC (June 2025) & The Secret Theater, Semi-finalist, Act One: One Act Play Festival, N.Y. (July 2024) GIRL IN BLUE ARMCHAIR, Rye Brook Community Center, N.Y. (May 2025) GALWAY CITY VISITOR, Salmagundi Art Club, N.Y., N.Y. (2024)
BARBARA: A middle-aged woman, a writer & college professor, at a crossroads in her
life. Adventurous. Desperately in need of a change!
ARTHUR: A middle-aged man, Barbara’s older, gay brother. A nurse at the local
hospital. Supportive and caring.
The living room of Barbara’s home in Sacramento, California. Summer.
The present
letter in her hand. She looks at the letter, then looks at her cell phone, then sits down on
the couch. She closes her eyes and tries to meditate for a moment.
(Offstage) Hey, Barbara! I’m here!
BARBARA
Oh, thank God!
ARTHUR
(Entering) What’s going on? It’s almost six a.m. I was on my way home from the
hospital!
BARBARA
I know, I know, and I’m so grateful. I only have fifteen minutes left!
ARTHUR
For what? What’s happening?
BARBARA
You remember that expedition I told you about?
ARTHUR
Uh…the one to Tahiti or… Antarctica?
BARBARA
No, no, farther than that! Don’t you remember?
ARTHUR
I must have blocked it out! (She stares at him) Oh no, wait a minute. You mean the one
to the moon, no, no, I mean Mars?
BARBARA
YES! How could you forget?
ARTHUR
I didn’t think it was a real thing. Sounded a bit crazy.
BARBARA
Well, it’s real and your sister’s not crazy because- I got accepted. I’m going! Look! (She
shows him the letter) They said they’re calling me at nine o’clock…six o’clock our time.
ARTHUR
(Looks at letter) Mars Express!!! That’s the name?
BARBARA
It’s a private company. They’re calling me soon!
ARTHUR
Calling you for what?
BARBARA
To confirm I’m going!
ARTHUR
Are you serious?
BARBARA
Yes. Very.
ARTHUR
This is crazy! Why? Why?
BARBARA
Because…this is my chance to do something meaningful. I don’t have that much time
left.
ARTHUR
Me neither! So take a trip to Japan or a class in skydiving or go skinny dipping in the
Mediterranean but not this!
BARBARA
I know it’s drastic but it feels like I’m being called to do it. Do you know how many
people applied for Mars Express?
ARTHUR
(Laughing) Other lunatics?…I don’t know. Ten? Twenty?
BARBARA
A hundred thousand.
ARTHUR
WHAT! All those people want to get out of here?
BARBARA
Yes.
ARTHUR
To go to the unknown?
BARBARA
Yes.
ARTHUR
I get lost going to L.A. never mind outer space.
BARBARA
I’m not driving.
Are you sure it’s safe? Are they really ready?
BARBARA
They’ve been getting ready for years. Now is the time.
ARTHUR
Ohhhhhhhh. I don’t know. I mean it’s so radical! Even for you!
BARBARA
I know I’ve lived in some far-out places…
ARTHUR
You mean like a hut in the Sahara, an igloo in Alaska, an ashram in India?
BARBARA
This different! This is my chance to make history. I just have to say “yes” at six o’clock
and I’m one of the sixteen who get to go.
ARTHUR
Sixteen?
BARBARA
Eight men and eight women. We’ll be the first to walk on Mars!
ARTHUR
“Walk on Mars”! You say it like it’s taking a walk in the park!
BARBARA
Actually, it’s more like floating. (Demonstrates “floating”!)
ARTHUR
Oh thank you for clarifying. But, why you? You’re not even an astronaut!
BARBARA
You don’t have to be. I passed all the tests.
ARTHUR
I think you need more tests. Come over to the hospital. I can get you in there.
BARBARA
No, I have everything they need. I’m well educated, I’m in good health, I get along
well with others…right?
ARTHUR
Well…
BARBARA
I can live in tight spaces. Remember, I lived in a tent in the Himalayas and survived the
monsoons? And in a submarine for months when I was in the Navy! …And I want an
adventure!
ARTHUR
Why didn’t you talk to me about this?
BARBARA
Because I knew you’d react this way. That’s why I waited until I knew for sure. I
mean…what do I have to stay here for anyway? I lost my job at the college, divorced
Tom, my daughter blames me for it and now she’s living in London, and I just found out
my book’s not going to be published!
ARTHUR
The one about the mermaid who helps the navy find lost pieces of the Titanic?
BARBARA
Yes!
ARTHUR
I loved that one!
BARBARA
They said they didn’t want anything to do with the Titanic after that submarine disaster.
ARTHUR
There are other publishers…
BARBARA
I got twenty rejections. I’m done with that.
ARTHUR
And what about Lily? Did you tell her?
BARBARA
She doesn’t care what I do anymore! Besides, she loves London! Was grateful for her
husband’s transfer. Said it came at the perfect time! But I mean London? That’s so
far.
ARTHUR
Not so far as Mars! And she needed the change. After your divorce and her failed in
vitro…she was really a mess.
BARBARA
I know. I know. And where was I? In India with that guru guy who I met in a coffee
shop!
ARTHUR
He was hot… but… I tried to reach you.
BARBARA
I know. Believe me. I can’t forgive myself. Look, I was never a good mother. I was too
busy gallivanting about. Tom was always better at it. The truth is…she doesn’t need me.
She’s getting on with her life and so should I!
ARTHUR
Don’t say that. She does need you. She just needs some time to recover. Is Tom over
there now?
BARBARA
Yes, he helped them move! Will probably stay there, too… he must hate me.
ARTHUR
He doesn’t hate you. You paint everything so black. It’s just, it was hard for him too. You
were the adventurer and he got tired of being left alone.
BARBARA
He never wanted to go!
ARTHUR
Someone had to stay home with Lily.
BARBARA
Oh…uh…you’re right. But I tried. I really tried! I got that job at the college, didn’t I?
Then they let me go because of budget cuts!
ARTHUR
Try another college? Tutoring?
BARBARA
No! I want to get out of here and try something new!
ARTHUR
Barbara, that’s what you always do! You run away when things get rough! Things aren’t
so bad here. You can visit Lily in London. You can’t do that on Mars!
BARBARA
She doesn’t want me there. Arthur, I have this new opportunity and just want your
support!
ARTHUR
(Pause) When would you leave?
BARBARA
I go for training next week.
ARTHUR
Next week?!!
BARBARA
We have a lot to accomplish up there!
ARTHUR
If you survive.
BARBARA
Don’t say that!
ARTHUR
How long will it take to get there?
BARBARA
Seven to nine months.
ARTHUR
Are you kidding?!?
BARBARA
It’s a hundred forty million miles!
ARTHUR
How will we hear from you?
BARBARA
They’re having a reality tv show! Life on the Red Planet!
ARTHUR
Terrible title.
BARBARA
I’m one of the writers!
ARTHUR
I thought you hated reality shows! This’ll be worse than Survivor!
BARBARA
It’ll be totally different! We’ll learn how to navigate the landscape, grow plants…
ARTHUR
It’s freezing there! You’ll turn to ice!
BARBARA
No, no, we just got a new sponsor! Mars Magic!
ARTHUR
A magician?
BARBARA
No, it’s thermal underwear! They make it to sustain temperatures up to minus eighty
degrees!
ARTHUR
Horrible. I hate the cold. (Paces around) Okay, but what will you eat? What will you
wear? What will you do?
BARBARA
Freeze-dried meals, a space suit, and…whatever martians do!
ARTHUR
Oh please! This is a lot to take in. I could never do it. I’d have to bring cases of wine
with me.
BARBARA
No drinking in space.
ARTHUR
Weed?
BARBARA
(Sadly) No weed.
ARTHUR
How will you get by?
BARBARA
Well, I’ll be in a totally new environment. I think I’ll have enough stimulation. I hope!
ARTHUR
If you’re talking stimulation, I prefer a man on a beach.
BARBARA
Well, that’s not happening so…
ARTHUR
What’s so great about Mars?
BARBARA
It’s our chance to rebuild civilization!
ARTHUR
Was there ever civilization on Mars?
BARBARA
We’re rebuilding our own! It’s our chance to do it right this time… Arthur, I have to go!
I just need you to be with me on this. It’s a little scary!
ARTHUR
A little? Alright, look, I mean, if you really need to do this thing…I think it’s insane
but… well…I guess, the good thing is that when you come back, you can write a book
about it. You’ll be on all the talk shows! …You’ll be famous!
BARBARA
No! No! You don’t understand.
ARTHUR
What?
BARBARA
I’m not coming back.
ARTHUR
What do you mean?
BARBARA
It’s a one-way ticket!
ARTHUR
WHAT???
BARBARA
Yes.
ARTHUR
YOU DON’T COME BACK?
BARBARA
No.
ARTHUR
You go to Mars and don’t come back. Ever?
BARBARA
That’s what a one- way ticket is.
ARTHUR
Oh my god! You didn’t tell me that! Barbara, think about it. Things are not so bad here!
Not bad enough to go to Mars and not come back!
(TEXT NOTIFICATION BELL SOUND)
BARBARA
Oh that’s a text. Maybe it’s them!
ARTHUR
Check it! Maybe they’re canceling the mission!
BARBARA
They wouldn’t do that! (Looks at phone) Oh, it’s a text from Lily! (Clicks on it) What is
this? Looks like a picture of something, kind of blurry…
ARTHUR
Oh my god! It’s a sonogram! Of a fetus!
BARBARA
WHAT?
ARTHUR
You have to call her!
BARBARA
Oh my god!
(Barbara calls Lily on cell phone)
Lily!…Yes, yes, I got it! You’re pregnant?…That’s fantastic! I’m so happy for you!…yes,
yes, the old fashioned way, ha ha…Dad said that? Well, he’s right- if there’s anything to
bring us all together again, it’s this! … Of course, I’ll be there! There’s so much to do!
(Suddenly remembering) Oh… Oh no, wait a minute… uh…there’s just one thing. I uh, I
have to tell you something. I’m signed up for this mission that will take me away…for a
while… and….
(Arthur makes wild signs for Barbara to stop talking, end the conversation, get off the
phone!)
It’s kind of complicated…
10
(Arthur grabs the phone from Barbara)
ARTHUR
(On phone) Lily! It’s Uncle Arthur. This is great! I’m so happy for you!…Yes, the fetus is
so cute! What?… Oh okay, sure, get back to the doctor. Your mom will call you
later…oh, honey, we love you too! Bye! (Arthur glares at Barbara.) What are you doing?
You can’t tell her that NOW!
BARBARA
I don’t know what to do. She needs me now and I want to be with her but…
ARTHUR
But?
BARBARA
A trip to Mars? It’s a chance of a lifetime…I’m so confused.
ARTHUR
You’re confused? You still want to go? (No response) You still want to go, don’t you?
Look. I get it. But think about it. Are you sure you want to leave Earth? For a planet
that’s frigid with no oceans or beaches? Living in a metal box with strangers with no
oxygen?
BARBARA
Well, I think they’ll have worked out all the kinks by then and…
ARTHUR
BARBARA! I thought you were brave. Courageous. Now I think you’re just afraid.
Afraid of facing your future. None of us know what’s ahead of us but the lucky ones
have people who love them. And you do! You don’t need Mars!
(Bird sounds start. Sunrise begins)
Stay here with people who love you! Lily’s going to have a baby! Do you really want
to miss that? (No response from Barbara) WAKE UP! I CAN’T TAKE THIS! (Storms
away. Puts head in his hands)
(Suddenly SUNRISE brilliant, glowing)
BARBARA
Oh my god!
ARTHUR
What?
BARBARA
Look at that sunrise!
ARTHUR
Don’t change the subject!
BARBARA
No, really, look at it! It’s amazing. I can’t believe the colors. It’s stunning!… This is the
most spectacular sunrise I’ve ever seen! Wow. Wow. And it’s all here. Now!
…(Thinking) What am I doing? Always running, running, somewhere else.
Somewhere else is always better. Mars! How can Mars be better than this? Mars is
all rocks. It’s dusty, dry, and desolate. It’s DEAD! Why am I going there? …(Looks at
Arthur. Suddenly it sinks in) Arthur! I’ll never see you again. Not you, Tom, Lily, the
baby…Oh, god! It’s not too late, right? I could change my mind. I don’t have to
go…(Suddenly realizing) Maybe THIS is the adventure!…I could write about it. (A
lightbulb moment) I mean, we really have it all here, don’t we?
ARTHUR
Finally!
(Barbara’s cell phone rings)
ARTHUR
(Checks his watch) It’s six o’clock!
(Barbara looks at phone. It continues ringing)
ARTHUR
(Warning) BARBARA???
(Barbara looks at Arthur, looks at phone, looks up at sunrise. Blackout.)
THE END
