What We Inherit

by Katy Laurance

In a modest fishing village in southeast Alaska, a woman is struggling to care for her ailing grandmother and floundering partner. When she is suddenly struck with 'Seeing': a gift shared by the women in her family, she finds herself living moments of her family's secret past, and must reckon with a legacy of being left behind.

What We Inherit is a three actor mystical family drama where three generations of...

In a modest fishing village in southeast Alaska, a woman is struggling to care for her ailing grandmother and floundering partner. When she is suddenly struck with 'Seeing': a gift shared by the women in her family, she finds herself living moments of her family's secret past, and must reckon with a legacy of being left behind.

What We Inherit is a three actor mystical family drama where three generations of women wrestle with the gifts and the heartache that mothers pass on to their daughters.

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What We Inherit

Recommended by

  • Amphibian Stage : What We Inherit by Katy Laurance
    “

    "Compelling and unique voice and story to tell with important cultural elements."
    "A great intergenerational story and strongly created relationship between the granddaughter and grandmother. Their relationship was very compelling as Elizabeth navigates her relationship with her grandma, her partner, all while learning about her mother’s past. Many moving layers leading up to a powerful resolution."

    Quotes pulled from our staff and readers for SparkFest 25

    "Compelling and unique voice and story to tell with important cultural elements."
    "A great intergenerational story and strongly created relationship between the granddaughter and grandmother. Their relationship was very compelling as Elizabeth navigates her relationship with her grandma, her partner, all while learning about her mother’s past. Many moving layers leading up to a powerful resolution."

    Quotes pulled from our staff and readers for SparkFest 25

    ”
  • Alice Josephs: What We Inherit by Katy Laurance
    “

    A fabulous play with the scope of a family epic where the fishing village with its weather vicissitudes is as much a character as the family living in it. Layered both in structure and content, it is universal in its reach but also intensely specific with an impeccable but visceral story logic.

    A fabulous play with the scope of a family epic where the fishing village with its weather vicissitudes is as much a character as the family living in it. Layered both in structure and content, it is universal in its reach but also intensely specific with an impeccable but visceral story logic.

    ”
  • Rachel Feeny-Williams: What We Inherit by Katy Laurance
    “

    We had the great privilege of hearing this play read as part of our Sunday night play reading and its truly wonderful! Its a brilliantly crafted story about relationships (both romantic and family) and the complexities that come with them. The story draws you in to the point where you NEED to know how its going to proceed. Its wonderfully rewarding as a piece of theatre to read and needs to be seen. If performed any audience will walk away knowing they have seen a wonderful piece of theatre!

    We had the great privilege of hearing this play read as part of our Sunday night play reading and its truly wonderful! Its a brilliantly crafted story about relationships (both romantic and family) and the complexities that come with them. The story draws you in to the point where you NEED to know how its going to proceed. Its wonderfully rewarding as a piece of theatre to read and needs to be seen. If performed any audience will walk away knowing they have seen a wonderful piece of theatre!

    ”

Character Information

— The characters of ELIZABETH and EMMA are played by the same actress.
— The characters of GRAMMA and MAMA are played by the same actress.
— The characters of JAIME and SAM are played by the same actor.
  • ELIZABETH
    Liz to her friends, Beth to her family. Early 30s, busy. A peacemaker, and a worrier.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • GRAMMA
    Called EMMA as a girl. ELIZABETH’S grandmother, late 70s. At turns generous and warm, then sharp and unforgiving.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • JAIME
    Never called James. Late 30s. In a long-term relationship with ELIZABETH, where they have an easygoing affection. Hard working, loving, eager to build a future instead of running from the past.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • EMMA
    Gramma as a young girl. Smart, fierce, and hurting.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • MAMA
    Gramma’s mother, Beverly. Beautiful once. Frail, scrappy, and overwhelmed.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • SAM
    Beverly’s brother-in-law. Sympathetic to Beverly and her challenges, but wary of her anger.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Ghost Light Productions, 2025
  • Reading, The Literary and Discourse Society, 2022
  • Reading, Valdez Theatre Conference, 2021

Awards

  • SheNYC Summer Theater Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2025