oh to be pure again

by Kira Rockwell

During one hot Texas summer at a Charismatic Christian camp, an idealistic counselor works to shepherd the senior girls’ cabin along their journey to make an authentic connection with something bigger than themselves, only to be confronted with disillusionment of her own faith. A visceral ode to female desire, submission, rebellion, and growing up in a religious culture that's obsessed with purity.

During one hot Texas summer at a Charismatic Christian camp, an idealistic counselor works to shepherd the senior girls’ cabin along their journey to make an authentic connection with something bigger than themselves, only to be confronted with disillusionment of her own faith. A visceral ode to female desire, submission, rebellion, and growing up in a religious culture that's obsessed with purity.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

oh to be pure again

Recommended by

  • Paulette Marty: oh to be pure again by Kira Rockwell
    “

    I directed this play at Appalachian State University, and what a joyous and profound experience it was. The students in the cast, on the production team, and in the audience resonated with it so, so deeply. This sounds cliché, but Kira has written a play that helps people heal - I've never said that before about a production I've worked on. Also, it provides an excellent opportunity for young actors to really dig into contemporary realism.

    I directed this play at Appalachian State University, and what a joyous and profound experience it was. The students in the cast, on the production team, and in the audience resonated with it so, so deeply. This sounds cliché, but Kira has written a play that helps people heal - I've never said that before about a production I've worked on. Also, it provides an excellent opportunity for young actors to really dig into contemporary realism.

    ”
  • Danielle Mohlman: oh to be pure again by Kira Rockwell
    “

    I absolutely loved this play and it completely subverted my expectations of what it might be. (I had a TLW ring before I even knew myself.) This play is a great balance of joy and rage. There's so much heart in "oh to be pure again."

    I absolutely loved this play and it completely subverted my expectations of what it might be. (I had a TLW ring before I even knew myself.) This play is a great balance of joy and rage. There's so much heart in "oh to be pure again."

    ”
  • Erin Malone Turner: oh to be pure again by Kira Rockwell
    “

    I was deeply moved by this play, & I imagine many others will be as well. These characters are sincere, impassioned, & beautifully painted portraits of what it can look like for young people trying to figure out who God is while becoming who they are. The ferocity & joy of the ending is particularly commendable!

    I was deeply moved by this play, & I imagine many others will be as well. These characters are sincere, impassioned, & beautifully painted portraits of what it can look like for young people trying to figure out who God is while becoming who they are. The ferocity & joy of the ending is particularly commendable!

    ”
View all 15 recommendations

Character Information

  • Autumn
    Proud of her extensive wolf shirt collection. Pro- napper. Wears a purity ring to avoid her queerness.
    17
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Jean Ruby
    Varsity Cheerleader. Loves starting chants in the lunchroom. Unashamedly messy cries during the camp worship sessions.
    17
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Luna
    Frequents the Craft Shack. Bucket list item is to play paintball with the boys. New to church, not spirituality.
    17
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Rachel
    Earnest. Avid baker. Home-schooled, a part of a Co-Op. In the middle of six siblings. Wakes up early every morning to spend time with Jesus. She’s fasting during this week of camp.
    15
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Trina
    Varsity Volleyball. Setter. D1 NCAA bound. Signed up for all physical activities. Finding it hard to let “Jesus take the wheel”
    17
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Becca
    Senior girls camp counselor. Wants to be the best camp counselor ever. Engaged to Adrian. Unraveling.
    22
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Adrian
    Senior boys camp counselor. The worship leader of his church, aka rockstar. Becca’s fiancé.
    28
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Rachel's Dad
    A grieving widow. Newly single parent of six children. An orthodontist. Elder in the church. Self-Righteous, honey dipped traditionalist, but not a villain.
    40's - 50's
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

Production History

  • Professional, Newton Theatre Company, 2026
  • University, Appalachian State University, 2026
  • University, Texas State Univeristy, 2024
  • University, The University of Oklahoma, 2023

Awards