Love, the Sinners

by Maggie Smith

While preparing for a normal year at their Catholic high school, a group of queer teenagers are suddenly faced with a new series of anti-LGBTQ+ rules created by their city's archdiocese, threatening to expel each one of them. Tired of their school's "hate the sin, love the sinner" mentality, the teenagers turn to malicious compliance as a means of protest, boycotting every academic material and lesson plan that...

While preparing for a normal year at their Catholic high school, a group of queer teenagers are suddenly faced with a new series of anti-LGBTQ+ rules created by their city's archdiocese, threatening to expel each one of them. Tired of their school's "hate the sin, love the sinner" mentality, the teenagers turn to malicious compliance as a means of protest, boycotting every academic material and lesson plan that they argue goes against Church teachings.

Content Warnings: This play contains themes of homophobia/transphobia, though no characters are ever dead-named or misgendered. While this play has comedic elements, there are some moments where serious topics are discussed. Any specific questions about these topics can be directed to maggiesmithwrites@gmail.com.

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Love, the Sinners

Recommended by

  • Kirt Shineman: Love, the Sinners by Maggie Smith
    “

    Now is the right time for this poignant and essential play for Pride, exploring the intersection of religion and queer identities in a Catholic high school. Maggie Smith's work sheds light on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth in religious settings, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and the dangers of discriminatory policies. The play’s diverse and authentic cast of characters, each grappling with their identity, offers a powerful narrative that fosters empathy and understanding. Its timely message and call for inclusivity make it a significant contribution to Pride celebrations and...

    Now is the right time for this poignant and essential play for Pride, exploring the intersection of religion and queer identities in a Catholic high school. Maggie Smith's work sheds light on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth in religious settings, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and the dangers of discriminatory policies. The play’s diverse and authentic cast of characters, each grappling with their identity, offers a powerful narrative that fosters empathy and understanding. Its timely message and call for inclusivity make it a significant contribution to Pride celebrations and discussions.

    read more
    ”
  • Rachel Feeny-Williams: Love, the Sinners by Maggie Smith
    “

    Something is terrifying about the fact that this play is set 'now' and the decisions being made and enforced by an educational facility sound like something that could be all too real. Maggie has created a theatrical powerhouse by introducing an audience to this group of teens and their struggles before they take a stand against said struggles. It's a play that offers wonderful roles to young people as well as make an audience consider just how dangerous 'enforcing' certain kinds of rules can be to the individual and what kind of path it can lead society down.

    Something is terrifying about the fact that this play is set 'now' and the decisions being made and enforced by an educational facility sound like something that could be all too real. Maggie has created a theatrical powerhouse by introducing an audience to this group of teens and their struggles before they take a stand against said struggles. It's a play that offers wonderful roles to young people as well as make an audience consider just how dangerous 'enforcing' certain kinds of rules can be to the individual and what kind of path it can lead society down.

    ”

Character Information

As a writer, I am dedicated to creating diverse worlds onstage. Some of the most defining moments of my life involve me seeing myself represented onstage, television, or in literature. Because of this, I highly recommend casting this play diversely in regards to race, gender identity, and disability. You won’t be depicting the real world if you ignore this request.

This is acknowledging, however, that some roles are specific in the way they must be casted. In this play, the following roles have these limitations:

ASH and LAINE must be played by nonbinary, agender, genderfluid, or otherwise gender non-conforming performer | PERCY must be played by a transgender, nonbinary, genderfluid, or otherwise gender non-conforming performer | RICHIE and CAM must be played by a transgender man | MIA must be played by a transgender woman
  • LAINE
    junior; viewed as a rebel, doesn’t care enough to be one; always lounging, constantly getting written up for violating the uniform, must be played by a non-binary, agender, genderfluid, or otherwise gender non-conforming performer
    16 or 17
    Any Race
    Non-binary (they/them)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • WILDE
    senior; outspoken and hardworking; always ready to say yes to anything; thinks outside of the box
    17 or 18
    Any Race
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • PERCY
    junior; all smiles but unfortunately cares about being polite more than his own well-being; not yet out to their parents; always has snacks or a pen to lend someone; must be played by a transgender, nonbinary, genderfluid, or otherwise gender non-conforming performer
    16 or 17
    Any Race
    Genderfluid (she/he/they)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
  • CAM
    senior; the absolute most fun to be around; full of energy, goofy; must be played by a transgender performer
    17 or 18
    Any Race
    Transgender Man (He/Him)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • BELLAMY DAWSON
    a former student who now teaches at the school; the new advisor of the Underground Queer Alliance; a fighter until she's not
    Mid to Late 20s
    Woman (She/Her)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • MIA ROCKWELL
    a guidance counselor who is genuinely good at her job; keeps everything students tell her confidential, even if it could come at the cost of her job; must be played by a transgender performer
    Mid to Late 20s
    Any Race
    Transgender Woman (she/her)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • AMANDA GARRETT
    the head of administration stuck between following the policies set in place by the archdiocese and protecting her students
    40s or 50s
    Any Race
    Cisgendered Woman (she/her)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • ASH
    senior; the president of the Underground Queer Alliance; strong, loud, a natural-born leader; must be played by a non-binary, agender, genderfluid, or otherwise gender non-conforming performer
    17 or 18
    Any Race
    Non-binary (they/them)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • RICHIE
    sophomore; has only recently come out; lighthearted, kind, stubborn when he wants to be; still gives everyone the benefit of the doubt; must be played by a transgender performer
    15 or 16
    Any Race
    Transgender Man (He/Him)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male