Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Ten years ago, a train collided with a school bus, killing the second grade class of Spring Farm, Illinois. The only student not on the bus was Emily Book, who was sent away shortly after the accident happened. Now she’s back for her senior year of high school--the only senior at Spring Farm High. Not only is Emily trying to negotiate her way back into a community that doesn’t know how to receive her, she is also carrying the burden of the accident ten years before. Managing high school is difficult enough, but when a friend is in danger, Emily reveals her superpowers to the community by literally taking flight, and now becomes a hero for them, and a way to heal from the past. But can Emily’s powers really save them? Or will her dark secret destroy the town forever? The Sparrow is a beautiful tale of community and healing the traumas of years past, sure to captivate audiences of all ages.
Show Information
- Book
- Nathan Allen , Chris Mathews , Jake Minton
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2007
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Spring Farm, Illinois, Present Day
- Cast Size
- large
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Dramatic Publishing Co.
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, High School, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Late Teen, Adult, Child, Mature Adult, Elderly, Early Teen, Young Adult Characters
Context
The Sparrow, written by Chris Mathews, Jake Minton, and Nathan Allen, and produced by the House Theatre of Chicago, first premiered at the Viaduct Theatre on January 13, 2007. Through the workshop and rehearsal process, Chris Mathews and Jake Minton wrote the script, with director Nathan Allen providing the larger concept and direction of the show.
The Sparrow is heavily poetic, written with flowing lines of dialogue and occasional verse and rhyme. The imagery of the play utilizes
to read the context for The Sparrow and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The citizens of Spring Farm, Illinois, are gathered at a PTA meeting to discuss the return of Emily Book, the only child to survive second grade ten years before when a school bus was hit by a train. The town is conflicted; Emily was sent away after the accident, and after her grandmother could no longer care for her. Coach Adams refers to the deceased students as a “ghost class”--when Emily returns, she will be the only senior at Spring Farm High School. Principal Skor and Dan
to read the plot for The Sparrow and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Either Gender |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
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Ensemble |
Either Gender |
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Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress