Mae's older sister Doris leaves her sitting on a park bench while Doris goes into a nearby building to apply for a job. An assortment of people pass through the park, entering Mae's world for a few moments—with varying results. To most of them, as well as to the audience, Mae is "different." One of the questions raised by this play is "Is that difference good or bad?"

Mae can be any age from 10 or 12 to 16 or 17. In the premiere production by a high school drama class, the role was played by a 14-year-old freshman girl, who interpreted Mae as being her own age. Doris might be as young as 16 or as old as the early twenties. Joe would be about the same age as Doris, or a year or two older. The play probably has its greatest impact if Mae is about 14, Doris about 16, and Joe about 17. Simple to stage, but highly impressive.

One act; Set, city park; Present time.

"Our group was asked to give a second 'showing' of A Trying Ordeal to our congregation at Smithville Mennonite Church, Smithville, Ohio. The play was well received."—Miriam G. Meyer, Rittman, Ohio.

Other titles by Green: That Girl From Texas, Tennis Anyone?

See also: Plays About Social Issues