In 1933, Hoovervilles ("Shanty Towns") were scattered across America. The Labor Statistics* show the number of unemployed in 1933 was about 13 million. Because the population has exponentially grown (although the percentage is much lower) the 2018 numbers show about 7 million unemployed. In short, we have only 6 million more people employed than at the depth of The Great Depression. And, now, a mere 7 million in the throes of potential or imminent homelessness. Or, as they say, at least seven million "One Paycheck Away from Homelessness".
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1933 Estimated & 2018 Actuals
The term,Weightlessness, is befitting for the subject of the play, homelessness. . . because the homeless, as a rule, have no home address; therefore, they cannot vote in local elections nor send their kids to just any school. They also have no steady income, no friends nor family support, no credit, no property and no opinions (at least, none that anyone will listen to). In short, they are "weightless".
The story is based on the author's memoir of living homeless, titled, "Hitting The Pavement: A Journalist's 2-Year Memoir of Homelessness", having lived in six shelters in two years. She is the main character, "Miss Faye" and no one knows that she is documenting all that goes on in her Journal. She did this because she knew that, if she told them, she would get embellished stories or no story at all.
The play takes place in a typical winter shelter women's dorm, named,"Emilee's Place". The Opening Scene,"Total Chaos",creates an atmosphere that is also typical. It is the first night of the season for this crowded and noisy temporary home.The play takes the audience through this short timeframe and counts down the weeks and then days ‘till the shelter closes. And the tension heightens for the audience when they realize that some of the residents have yet to find a place to go. All eyes are on the calendar circling March 31st at Midnight!! Because everyone is expected to fill a large mint green plastic bag with their belongings: whether they have a place to go, or not.