A Century of Sparrows

by Sierra Rosetta

A CENTURY OF SPARROWS follows six Ojibwe women—grandmothers, mothers, and daughters—each bearing the Sparrow name. Bound by blood, spirit, and story, these Sparrows navigate the interwoven threads of generational trauma and resilience. From the all-too-true history of Indian Boarding Schools to the private heartbreaks of infertility, the Sparrow women face these events that affect their family and culture. Yet...

A CENTURY OF SPARROWS follows six Ojibwe women—grandmothers, mothers, and daughters—each bearing the Sparrow name. Bound by blood, spirit, and story, these Sparrows navigate the interwoven threads of generational trauma and resilience. From the all-too-true history of Indian Boarding Schools to the private heartbreaks of infertility, the Sparrow women face these events that affect their family and culture. Yet through grief and survival, they remain tethered—sometimes painfully, sometimes lovingly—across time. As ancestors watch over descendants, and daughters inherit both burdens and blessings, the play explores how memory, spirit, and pain echo backward as well as forward. These women witness themselves in each other for better or for worse. This play is told non-linearly to ask: Can the past ever be healed through the future? And what does it mean to mother a lineage that mothers you in return?

Loosely inspired by real testimonies of Native women.

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A Century of Sparrows

Recommended by

  • Zach Barr: A Century of Sparrows by Sierra Rosetta
    “

    Brutal and brilliant, Rosetta's script is a marvelous journey that asks for your patience and open mind. The play makes brilliant use of role doubling to dramatize the connections across time, in a manner only possible onstage. The language in the play is a unique mix of comedy and tragedy, and the heartfelt story makes us connect to the archetypes of Daughter, Mother, and Grandmother, just as much as each character. Well worth any resources it takes to make this story sing, for any company.

    Brutal and brilliant, Rosetta's script is a marvelous journey that asks for your patience and open mind. The play makes brilliant use of role doubling to dramatize the connections across time, in a manner only possible onstage. The language in the play is a unique mix of comedy and tragedy, and the heartfelt story makes us connect to the archetypes of Daughter, Mother, and Grandmother, just as much as each character. Well worth any resources it takes to make this story sing, for any company.

    ”

Character Information

Note on characters/actors: there are six characters, but only three actors. The three Native actresses transition characters as the play goes on. There should be three actors whose ages range somewhere around (20s, 40s, 60s). Explanation will be provided whenever there is a jump in time/transition in character.
  • Ashaweia Sparrow
    The grandma everyone deserves. The mother who will lie to you for your own good. The daughter who never took “no” for an answer.
    Born in 1867
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Winona Sparrow
    The grandma you can’t tell people about. The mother who embarasses you. The daughter who always believes in you.
    Born in 1897
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Meg Sparrow
    The grandma no one can figure out. The mother you found. The daughter who learned how to grieve too young.
    Born in 1917
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Louise Sparrow
    The grandma who always said what was on her mind. The mother who never said what you needed to hear. The daughter you lost.
    Born in 1950
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Marie Sparrow
    The mother you hate. The daughter you don’t know how to love.
    Born in 1984
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Rose Sparrow
    The mother who can’t bear not to be one. The daughter you regret.
    Born in 2004
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman