Sentinels
Genre: Contemporary/Historical Dramedy with Music
Format: Live In-Person Performance
Keywords: women’s history, secret society, feminism, resilience, youth empowerment, activism, legacy, social justice, friendship, historical imagination
Cast Size: 6 (female)
Duration: Approximately 75 minutes
Time Period: Present Day (with flashbacks to 1945, 1952, 1967, and 1973)
Cautions: Mild language; references to alcohol use; references to abortion; historical references to discrimination, prejudice, and sexism
Script by Marilyn Campbell-Lowe
Music by Kim D. Sherman
Lyrics by Marilyn Campbell-Lowe and Kim D. Sherman
Story by Larry Little and Nicholas Reinhart
On the eve of their secret society’s dissolution, a group of young women gather in the sacred dome at Joan of Arc University for one final meeting. But instead of saying goodbye, their trailblazing leader reveals a hidden trove of journals spanning generations. Suddenly, the present collides with the past, flashing back to moments when ordinary women did extraordinary things—from advancing the polio vaccine to shaping the moon landing to marching for women’s rights.
With crackling wit and a spirit of defiance, Sentinels celebrates resilience, solidarity, and the power of women’s voices across time. Equal parts funny and inspiring, the play asks: what does it mean to “challenge the impossible”?
Perfect for high school and college productions, Sentinels offers an all-female cast, a mix of dynamic present-day characters and vivid historical flashbacks, and a message that resonates with today’s students: together, we carry forward the unfinished work of justice and equality.
How We Price
Our pricing is simple and transparent. Each play includes two parts: a one-time script fee of $150, which grants you immediate access to the play and permission to copy and share it within your program; and a performance license of $65 per performance, which covers your live productions for the selected license duration.
How You License
At checkout, select your license duration (for example, the current or next school year) and the number of performances you plan to give. Each license covers live, in-person performances.
What You Get
You’ll receive an instant download of the following:
- the edited, school-friendly version of the script
- the unedited version of the script
- performance tracks
- sound cues
- plunk tracks
- rehearsal tracks with vocals
During your license period, you’re free to copy, print, and share the script within your school or theatre program for rehearsal and performance use—no per-script fees or copy limits.
Praise for This Play
"Strong and vibrant ... Sentinels is urging us all to stand up and only face forward. - Evanston Round Table
"Imaginative, earnest, and certainly timely" - Talkin' Broadway
"Just perfect … Terrific" - Around the Town Chicago
"Inspiring!" - ChicagoTheatreandArts.com
Praise for Marilyn Campbell-Lowe
“A feat that rivals the construction of the Hoover Dam” - Neill Genzlinger: The New York Times
“Blistering, ferocious” - Monterey Herald
“Rare, the way perfect diamonds are rare.” - Kelly Kleinman: WBEZ
"Extraordinary power and grace, a tremendous accomplishment. The highest experience good theatre can produce. Lush, passionate performances ... exquisite!" - Newsday
"An experience not to be missed! One of the joys of the season. A beautiful, passionate, ecstatic celebration of a woman's life!" - New York Post
"A Must See. Absolutely riveting. Sad and sweet, hopeful and painful, honest and captivating ... brilliant and beautiful! A truly unique and wonderful experience!" - Sacramento News
“Rousing, thought-provoking, verbally brilliant” - Hedy Weiss: Chicago Sun-Times