‘Doubt’ prepares to challenge audiences
“Doubt,” John Patrick Shanley’s critically acclaimed drama, won the Pulitzer Prize in 2005 before being adapted to film in 2008. The subsequent movie was nominated for five Academy Awards, with 14 other award foundations praising the film.
The work is known for sparking debate, challenging precepts, and intriguing audiences wherever it’s performed. The show pivots around Sister Aloysius, principal of St. Nicolas Catholic School and church, and the newest priest joining the parish, Father Flynn. Sister Aloysius disagrees with Father’s unorthodox approach of befriending altar boys, especially Donald Muller, the only black student in St. Nicholas. Aloysius’s unwilling sidekick, Sister James, is an inexperienced, naïve teacher, who unwittingly causes suspicions to fly around Father Flynn and his questionable motives. The conflict comes to a head when Donald’s mother is involved in the controversy and church hierarchy comes into question.
As a playwright, Shanley crafts difficult questions with unforgettable characters, tempering it all with his marked brevity and beautiful prose.
The show runs in the Memorial Black Box Theatre from Thurs. Nov. 17th to Sat. Nov. 19th, at 7:30 p.m. The Matinee is on Sun. Nov. 20th, at 2 p.m.
Name: Mason Quinn
Role: Father Flynn
Rank: Senior
Hometown: Cheyenne, Wyo.
What challenges did you face as an actor in “Doubt?” The fact that I got to decide whether or not I’m guilty. It was a challenge, but also very liberating. It’s sort of an actor’s dream to make such an important decision for their character.
How do you think the audience will react to this show? Within the past few years, Black Box shows have been darker in content matter. The audience will be expecting that. So as long as they come with an open mind, I think they’ll like it.
Are you discomforted by the audience’s proximity? No, I’ve gotten used to it. This will be my third Black Box show. It’s a different feel from larger stages, and I like it. Also, we’re staging this arena style, with audience on all four sides, which is even better.
Name: Shalee Jones
Role: Sister Aloysius
Class rank: Senior
Hometown: Crawford
What were the challenges of doing this show? Definitely learning how to not take into consideration what others are feeling, because Sister Aloysius is a very harsh woman, and that was difficult to make myself do.
How do you think the audience will react to this show? That’s a tough one to guess. Chadron being such a tight community, and seeing how people have reacted to past dramatic shows, some people aren’t going to like it. But I think it’s important that we challenge ourselves and others. We should let others see that it’s not all happy musicals and comedies.
Is the close proximity to the audience in the Black Box uncomfortable? Well, if I scoot my desk chair back, I’m in someone’s lap. There are going to be faces where you’re used to looking in rehearsals. It’s intimidating.
Name: Le’Chere Campbell
Role: Mrs. Muller
Class rank: Freshman
Hometown: Bellevue
What challenges did you experience doing this show? Bringing down my own morals to fit those of the character. If I was in her situation, I would’ve acted a lot differently.
How do you think the audience will react to the show? They’ll be very confused. The play requires the audience to make a decision about the characters; people aren’t used to deciding the story for themselves, so that could confuse them.
Favorite scene? The moment between Father Flynn and Sister James; it shows us how James really feels about Flynn, and we get to see Flynn more open, and guarded.
This is your first Black Box show, how do you feel about it? I’m very nervous, I’ve never had an audience so close. They can all see my faults, so it’s very intimidating.
Name: Amber Nightingale
Role: Sister James
Age: 21
Rank: Senior
Hometown: Morrill
What were challenges you experienced doing this show? Playing Sister James; she is so blind to reality, she sees the good in everything, which is something I don’t do. She’s a very naïve character.
How do think people will react to this play? The show’s not vulgar in any way, so people shouldn’t be offended, but I think the people will be challenged to question and doubt things.
Favorite scene? Mine, with Father Flynn. I like it because Sister James finally makes a decision about the rest of the characters.