“To be awake is to be alive. Hope is a dream of a person awake. Arise, awake. Stop not until the goal is reached."

Through seven scenes, vignettes with monologues and the power of portrayal, six young ladies from Coeur d'Alene are sending the message for society to wake up and stand up for child rights.

"Girl, Awake!" brings issues such as homelessness, child soldiers, bullying, social media, child labor and more to the forefront as cast members perform scenes that are designed to leave a lasting impression.

"I think of 'Girl' like this activist play about worldwide issues, happening not to just girls but children in general," said Lake City High School freshman Sophie Ventresco, 14 who plays the character Violet. "There's child marriage and child labor and homelessness and all these things and they're all happening and we don't notice them. A lot of these things happen in the U.S. and we just don't see it. It makes me appreciate what I have because I'm lucky not to be a child bride and not be going to war."

The writer of the play, Brook Bassett, has written all of her life and is passionate about social justice. She said in modern times, "we live in a global community it's important we communicate in that sense."

"When you go through the subject matter that ‘Girl, Awake!’ addresses, it becomes pretty evident that education is one of the foremost ways of alleviating some of these issues," she said. "A lot is very prevalent in the U.S. and how it can affect people on a regional level."

The production's stars range in age from 11-16. They perform diverse scenes that include a mime, cheerleading, a dance, a video, spoken word poetry and other forms of expression.

"Girl" has a floral theme; all of the girls' characters are named after flowers and lines revolve around the importance of "planting seeds and spreading many flowers," Bassett said.

"Planting seed produces many flowers," she said. "By planting the seeds of education and awareness, we can create something beautiful and more vibrant."

And Bassett said just because it's an all-female cast doesn't mean boys won't be interested in the powerful message of "Girl."

"Everybody will definitely get something out of it," she said.

This is the second year for "Girl, Awake!" which will be performed at The Modern Theater-Spokane at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 and 29. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.themoderntheater.org/special-events. The show will also include raffles to benefit World Relief Spokane and the Crosswalk teen shelter.

Proceeds will support The Malala Fund, which works to secure girls' rights to at least 12 years of education, especially in the global south. The show will also be performed in educational settings to carry the message around the Northwest.

Info: www.girlawake.com