Lesley Rae Wetmore
Freedom
Identity
Legacy
2025
The Chair of Sparrow follows the life of Cornelius Sparrow, a man who escapes enslavement in Virginia and rebuilds his life in Saint John, New Brunswick. The play moves between his past and present, showing him as a child, a young man running for his life, and an older barber who has finally found peace.
CHARACTER LIST & DESCRIPTIONS
PRIMARY CHARACTERS
Cornelius Sparrow (Old)
A Black man in his late 50s. A barber, survivor, and storyteller. Reflective, grounded, and quietly powerful. He carries the weight of memory and the responsibility of legacy.
Young Cornelius Sparrow
A Black man in his 20s–30s. Determined, guarded, and resilient. His journey from enslavement to freedom forms the spine of the play.
Child Cornelius Sparrow
A Black boy, age 6–9. Sensitive, curious, and deeply connected to his mother. Represents innocence and the origin of Cornelius’s identity.
Mama Sparrow
A Black woman, 30s–40s. Strong, loving, spiritual. Her lullaby and cloth become the emotional anchor of the entire story.
Martha Whitehead
A Black woman, 50s–60s. Brave, rebuilding her life, learning to reclaim her voice. Her reunion with Cornelius is tender and complex.
Nancy Whitehead
A Black woman, 50s–60s. Wise, protective, and emotionally layered. Her mother–daughter scene with Martha is one of the play’s most powerful moments.
George Sparrow
A Black man, 20s–40s. Cornelius’s brother. Quiet, hardworking, and emotionally reserved. Helps build the barbershop and dining saloon.
Josephine Bell
A White woman, 40s–60s. A guide on the Underground Railroad. Calm, steady, and courageous. Saves Cornelius with silence, lantern light, and direction.
Isaiah
A Black youth, age 17. Observant, humble, and eager to learn. Represents the next generation and the continuation of Cornelius’s legacy.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS
Mr. Russell
A white man, 40s. Entitled, authoritative, and prejudiced. Represents social pressure and racial hierarchy in Saint John.
Overseer
A white man, 30s–60s. Brutal, controlling, and cold. Strips people of their names and humanity.
Boy
A white child, age 8–10. Honest, open-hearted. Offers Cornelius a flower in a moment of pure kindness.
Man #1 (Elijah)
A Black man renamed “Number 27.” His silence after losing his name is haunting.
Man #2
A Black man who quietly resists being reduced to a number.
Woman #1
A Black woman who comforts Elijah after his name is taken.
Woman #2
A Black woman whose child fears becoming “a number.”
Child (Inventory Scene
A Black child terrified of losing their identity.
Voice (O.S.)
White pursuers during Cornelius’s escape.
Teen #1
White teen who recognizes Cornelius’s accomplishments.
Teen #2
White teen learning who Cornelius is.
ENSEMBLE ROLES (GenderFlexible)Townspeople
White residents of Saint John. Represent community, social dynamics, and evolving respect.
Other Enslaved People
Black men, women, and children. Appear in the inventory scene and memory sequences.
Play can be accessed by contacting the author at ph5063497189@gmail.com