THE INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF THEATER PRESENTS:
BY JOHN PIELMEIER DIRECTED BY ARTHUR FEINSOD
“AGNES OF GOD” IS PRESENTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CONCORD THEATRICALS ON BEHALF OF SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. WWW.CONCORDTHEATRICALS.COM
MARCH
11-14, 2021
THURSDAY-SATURDAY AT 7:30 PM SUNDAY AT 3:00 PM ONLINE ONLY
TICKETS: $5 GENERAL ADMISSION INDSTATE.EDU/CAS/THEATER
EPIGRAPH “‘…why do you worry? What good would it do you if I told you she is indeed a saint? I cannot make saints, nor can the Pope. We can only recognize saints when the plainest evidence shows them to be saintly. If you think her a saint, she is a saint to you. What more do you ask? That is what we call the reality of the soul; you are foolish to demand the agreement of the world as well…’ “‘But it is the miracles that concern me. What you say takes no account of the miracles.’ “‘Oh, miracles! They happen everywhere. They are conditional…Miracles are things that people cannot explain…Miracles depend much on time, and place, and what we know and do not know…Life is too great a miracle for us to make so much fuss about petty little reversals of what we pompously assume to be the natural order…Who is she? That is what you must discover…and you must find your answer in psychological truth, not in objective truth…And while you are searching, get on with your own life and accept the possibility that it may be purchased at the price of hers and that this may be God’s plan for you and her.’” - Robertson Davies FIFTH BUSINESS
CAST Sister Agnes............................................................................................. Carsyn Wayland Mother Miriam Ruth..................................................................................... Peighton Hile Doctor Martha Livingstone.......................................................................Amarae’ Robinson
PRODUCTION INFORMATION SETTING A psychiatrist’s office and a convent via Zoom; present day
INTERMISSION There will be one ten-minute intermission during the play
DEFINITION OF “STIGMATA” Stigmata (singular stigma), in Christian mysticism, bodily marks, scars, or pains corresponding to those of the crucified Jesus Christ—that is, on the hands, on the feet, near the heart, and sometimes on the head (from the crown of thorns) or shoulders and back (from carrying the cross and scourging).
CREATIVE TEAM Director......................................................................................................Arthur Feinsod Scenic Designer.............................................................................................. David Vogel Costume Designer......................................................................................... Grace Muñoz Lighting Designer............................................................................................ David Vogel Sound Designer........................................................................................... Chris Berchild Network and Digital Designer........................................................................ Chris Berchild Stage Manager..............................................................................................Kristin Wentz
PRODUCTION TEAM Production Manager................................................................................. Michael Jackson Technical Director........................................................................................... David Vogel Scene Shop Supervisor.................................................................................... David Vogel Costume Shop Supervisor.............................................................................. Grace Muñoz Assistant Stage Manager............................................................................... Joseph Harris Head of Properties....................................................................................... Rena Cardaras Lighting Supervisor.................................................................................. Michael Jackson Lighting/Video Operator...........................................................................Justin Nieferhaus Sound Operator.................................................................................... Keishaun Campbell Run Crew...............................................................................................Mallory Baumann Wardrobe Head........................................................................................... Haliey Hughes Costume Build Crew.................................................................... Gil Avery, Carsyn Wayland Vocal Coach...................................................................................................... Kurt Perry Production Assistants................................................... Anthony Albamonte, Jaden Conatser Ethan Perisho, Randi Scheffer Publicity........................................................................................................... Alicia Jay Publicity Assistants...................................................................Dakota Allen, Will Wortman Graphic Design.......................................................................................... Greg Newcomb Program Design................................................................................................. Alicia Jay Administration................................................................................................. Toni Roloff
DEDICATION The director would like to dedicate this production to the InterFaith Council of the Wabash Valley.
PRODUCTION CREDIT AGNES OF GOD is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.; www.concordtheatricals.com.
DIRECTOR”S NOTE Houses of worship play a significant role, providing a safe and vital place for faith, God and the sacred. But in those places beliefs are often met not with dialogue but with monologue in one direction, which sometimes makes attendees feel they are being force-fed something they are not sure they accept. But there the human soul is cared for, honored and treated as important. When it comes to secular academia, however, we avoid the issue of faith like the plague, nervous a student’s freedom of religion will be violated. As a consequence we ignore matters of faith and soul altogether and focus exclusively on the mind and what we see. Students who believe in God may live an intellectually divided existence between what is true for them at church on Sunday and what is true in the biology lab on Thursday. Most in the academy will ignore faith altogether and treat it as irrelevant among concerns about whether their car will start or their cellphone die. And if faith is addressed by a student at school, it is often, unfortunately, in the context of sharing unpleasant childhood experiences of being bored or forced to believe in ideas and values contradicted by what they have come to accept from their peers or elsewhere. I believe issues and questions of faith belong in the university almost as much as in houses of worship, but not as a platform for proselytizing one view but as a place for many views, as a place to raise questions and encourage exchange among competing worldviews – from the most faithful to the most atheistic -- an open, free and tolerant dialogue where ideas about faith and spirituality can merge and clash with ideas from science, psychology, philosophy and the arts, creating a constructive tension that challenges minds and souls and permits spiritual –as well as intellectual – tension and growth. I hope Agnes of God can spur that kind of dialogue. - Dr. Arthur Feinsod
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SONG LIST KYRIE..........Text: Graduale Romanum, 1974; Music: Chant Mass, Mass XVI, Chant, Mode III GLORIA.........Text: Graduale Romanum, 1974; Music: Chant Mass; Mass VIII, Chant, Mode V CREDO.....................................................Text: Graduale Romanum, 1974; Music: Credo IV VIRGIN MARY HAD ONE SON.............................................................. Traditional Spiritual SANCTUS............................ Text: Graduale Romanum, 1974; Music: Chant Mass; Mass XVII BASIEZ MOY.......................................................................................... Josquin des Prez AVE MARIA................................ Text: Latin, based on Luke 1:28, 42; Music: Chant, Mode 1 AGNUS DEI......................................... Text: Graduale Romanum, 1974; Music: Chant Mass CHARLIE’S NEAT................................................................................ American Folk Song
CAST BIOS CARSYN WAYLAND (Sister Agnes). Carsyn (she/her/hers) is a junior theatre major with a concentration in directing, playwriting, and dramaturgy. She has previously been on the design team for DETROIT ‘67 and WORK OF ART: FOUR NEW PLAYS. With Agnes of God being her acting debut at ISU, Carsyn is eager to explore the challenges and rewards that come with acting, all while gaining knowledge from those around her. PEIGHTON HILE (Mother Miriam Ruth). Peighton Hile (she/her/hers) received her BA in Theater from Indiana State University in 2019. She is now attending Indiana State as a graduate student and will receive her master’s degree in Student Affairs and Higher Education this spring. Upon graduating, Peighton will be pursuing her second postgraduate degree with an MFA in Acting. Past roles include: Sibella in A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER and Macbeth in MACBETH at ISU. As well as: Amber in HAIRSPRAY at Crossroads Repertory Theater. Peighton would like to thank her Siberian Husky, Gamora, for the constant nose boops and always pushing her to “raise the woof.” AMARAE’ ROBINSON (Doctor Livingstone). This is Amarae’s (she/her/hers) second time onstage at Indiana State University. Previously she appeared in DETROIT ‘67. She has previously worked as an assistant stage manager for two productions and a crew member/ light board operator for another. Amarae’ is a theater and music double major with a combined focus in acting, tech, and voice. Prior to Indiana State, she worked in various parts of the theater all throughout her high school career at Avondale High School (Nurse and Assistant Stage Manager, ROMEO AND JULIET; Don Poccolino, BAMBOOZLED; Vocal Director and Cast, THE WIZARD OF OZ).
SONG LIST KYRIE..........Text: Graduale Romanum, 1974; Music: Chant Mass, Mass XVI, Chant, Mode III GLORIA.........Text: Graduale Romanum, 1974; Music: Chant Mass; Mass VIII, Chant, Mode V CREDO.....................................................Text: Graduale Romanum, 1974; Music: Credo IV VIRGIN MARY HAD ONE SON ............................................................. Traditional Spiritual SANCTUS............................ Text: Graduale Romanum, 1974; Music: Chant Mass; Mass XVII BASIEZ MOY.......................................................................................... Josquin des Prez AVE MARIA............................... Text: Latin, based on Luke 1:28, 42; Music: Chant, Mode 1 AGNUS DEI......................................... Text: Graduale Romanum, 1974; Music: Chant Mass CHARLIE’S NEAT ............................................................................... American Folk Song
CAST BIOS CARSYN WAYLAND (Sister Agnes). Carsyn (she/her/hers) is a junior theatre major with a concentration in directing, playwriting, and dramaturgy. She has previously been on the design team for DETROIT ‘67 and WORK OF ART: FOUR NEW PLAYS. With Agnes of God being her acting debut at ISU, Carsyn is eager to explore the challenges and rewards that come with acting, all while gaining knowledge from those around her. PEIGHTON HILE (Mother Miriam Ruth). Peighton Hile (she/her/hers) received her BA in Theater from Indiana State University in 2019. She is now attending Indiana State as a graduate student and will receive her master’s degree in Student Affairs and Higher Education this spring. Upon graduating, Peighton will be pursuing her second postgraduate degree with an MFA in Acting. Past roles include: Sibella in A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER and Macbeth in MACBETH at ISU. As well as: Amber in HAIRSPRAY at Crossroads Repertory Theater. Peighton would like to thank her Siberian Husky, Gamora, for the constant nose boops and always pushing her to “raise the woof.” AMARAE’ ROBINSON (Doctor Livingstone). This is Amarae’s (she/her/hers) second time onstage at Indiana State University. Previously she appeared in DETROIT ‘67. She has previously worked as an assistant stage manager for two productions and a crew member/ light board operator for another. Amarae’ is a theater and music double major with a combined focus in acting, tech, and voice. Prior to Indiana State, she worked in various parts of the theater all throughout her high school career at Avondale High School (Nurse and Assistant Stage Manager, ROMEO AND JULIET; Don Poccolino, BAMBOOZLED; Vocal Director and Cast, THE WIZARD OF OZ).
CREATIVE TEAM BIOS ARTHUR FEINSOD (Director). With degrees from Harvard, UC Berkeley, and New York University, Dr. Arthur Feinsod (he/him/his) is Professor of Theater (Playwriting, Theater History, Directing) and the Honors College at Indiana State University, where he has been teaching since 2001. Before that, he taught for fifteen years at Trinity College in Hartford. He has won a number of teaching, research and creativity awards including the Arthur Hughes Award for Excellence in Teaching at Trinity; Indiana State University’s Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award; Teacher of the Year Award (voted by students in ISU’s Honors College); and, more recently, the Theodore Dreiser Distinguished Research/Creativity Award. As a theater scholar, he wrote THE SIMPLE STAGE published by Greenwood Press and has contributed a chapter on Broadway director Arthur Hopkins for a massive multi-volume work recently published by Bloomsbury Press on 20th century North American directors. Besides serving as Artistic Director for Crossroads Repertory Theatre from 2001 to 2014 and being a co-founder/artistic director for Theater 7, he has directed many plays at professional companies and universities throughout the United States. As a playwright, Feinsod has written a number of plays that have been produced professionally, including MALCOLM’S CALL; TABLE 17; COMING TO SEE AUNT SOPHIE; BETWEEN THE DAMS (in both English and in a Hungarian translation); and THE GOSPEL OF EVERYMAN. His play about World War II hero Jan Karski, COMING TO SEE AUNT SOPHIE (which has been translated into Polish and Hungarian), has been performed at various theaters throughout the United States as well as in Germany, Poland, and Australia. He has recently given a number of public talks on faith as well as interfaith education and relations and is currently serving as President of the Inter-Faith Council of the Wabash Valley (IFC). DAVID VOGEL (Scenic/Lighting Designer). David (he/him) has designed for ISU Theater since 2018, including scenery for THE LADY FROM THE SEA, THE LILY AND THE MANTIS, and WORK OF ART: FOUR NEW PLAYS. David also teaches theater production courses, and previously taught at Virginia’s Eastern Mennonite University, Washington University in St. Louis, Penn State University, and Huntington University in IN. Professional credits include scenery and light designs for CREATION CHRONICLES and FISH EYES with Ted&Co TheaterWorks; in St. Louis, lighting for the St. Louis Ballet (NUTCRACKER); in Pennsylvania, sets & lights for Loaves & Fishes TRT (DRIVING MISS DAISY); in Minnesota, lights for the Illusion Theater and Children’s Theatre School, and lights & scenery for the Paul Bunyan Playhouse (LEND ME A TENOR, FOXFIRE, and more). In Minnesota, David was a co-founder and artist with Taproot Theatre of Minnesota, a group that toured provocative, inspirational dramatic works to civic and religious organizations.
CREATIVE TEAM BIOS GRACE MUÑOZ (Costume Designer). Grace (she/her/hers) is a designer originally from Chicago, IL. She has previously worked as a Properties Master and Designer at Opera Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, New York. Her opera credits include: LA CENERENTOLA (Rossini); DIDO AND AENEAS (Purcell); THE LONG WALK (Beck) - World Premier, LE NOZZE DI FIGARO (Mozart); IL POSTINO (Catán); THE WITCHES OF VENICE (Glass) - World Premier. She has also had the pleasure of working with Tony award winning designer Mimi Lien while at Opera Saratoga. Grace has also worked regionally at The Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook, IL and Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon, MO. At Maples Repertory Theatre, Grace worked as the Properties Master, and as both an Assistant and Lead Stage Manager. Some of her favorite credits include PINKALICIOUS; ARSENIC AND OLD LACE; MY THREE ANGELS; SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL; BOEING, BOEING; QUILTERS; DEARLY DEPARTED; ON GOLDEN POND; and three of the varieties of the CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES. She is a proud EMC Stage Manager. Locally, Grace has designed puppets for the Lilly Theater at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for THE JUNGLE BOOK, and GRUFF! At Indiana State University, Grace has worked as the Props Master and the Costume Shop Manager for Crossroads Repertory Theatre for the past three summers. She is currently the Costume Shop Manager in the Department of Theater at Indiana State University and a Costume Designer. She last designed costumes for THE DROWNING GIRLS, directed by Julie Dixon. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Illinois University. KRISTIN WENTZ (Stage Manager). Kristin (she/her/hers) is a sophomore theater major here at ISU who enjoys the tech side of theater. She has been a part of the theater community in Noblesville schools since middle school, with her favorite show being SPAMALOT. Kristin has worked as the lighting operator for THE LADY FROM THE SEA, the scenic artist for A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, and finally, as the assistant stage manager for both STUPID F*CKING BIRD and WORK OF ART: FOUR NEW PLAYS. She is also the publicist of Student Theatre Association and a member of Alpha Psi Omega and looks forward to working on more shows at ISU!
CREATIVE TEAM BIOS GRACE MUÑOZ (Costume Designer). Grace (she/her/hers) is a designer originally from Chicago, IL. She has previously worked as a Properties Master and Designer at Opera Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, New York. Her opera credits include: LA CENERENTOLA (Rossini); DIDO AND AENEAS (Purcell); THE LONG WALK (Beck) - World Premier, LE NOZZE DI FIGARO (Mozart); IL POSTINO (Catán); THE WITCHES OF VENICE (Glass) - World Premier. She has also had the pleasure of working with Tony award winning designer Mimi Lien while at Opera Saratoga. Grace has also worked regionally at The Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook, IL and Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon, MO. At Maples Repertory Theatre, Grace worked as the Properties Master, and as both an Assistant and Lead Stage Manager. Some of her favorite credits include PINKALICIOUS; ARSENIC AND OLD LACE; MY THREE ANGELS; SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL; BOEING, BOEING; QUILTERS; DEARLY DEPARTED; ON GOLDEN POND; and three of the varieties of the CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES. She is a proud EMC Stage Manager. Locally, Grace has designed puppets for the Lilly Theater at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for THE JUNGLE BOOK, and GRUFF! At Indiana State University, Grace has worked as the Props Master and the Costume Shop Manager for Crossroads Repertory Theatre for the past three summers. She is currently the Costume Shop Manager in the Department of Theater at Indiana State University and a Costume Designer. She last designed costumes for THE DROWNING GIRLS, directed by Julie Dixon. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Illinois University. KRISTIN WENTZ (Stage Manager). Kristin (she/her/hers) is a sophomore theater major here at ISU who enjoys the tech side of theater. She has been a part of the theater community in Noblesville schools since middle school, with her favorite show being SPAMALOT. Kristin has worked as the lighting operator for THE LADY FROM THE SEA, the scenic artist for A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, and finally, as the assistant stage manager for both STUPID F*CKING BIRD and WORK OF ART: FOUR NEW PLAYS. She is also the publicist of Student Theatre Association and a member of Alpha Psi Omega and looks forward to working on more shows at ISU!
CONTENT WARNING PLEASE BE ADVISED THIS PRODUCTION CONTAINS MATURE CONTENT INCLUDING DISCUSSIONS OF DEATH, MISCARRIAGE, INFANTICIDE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT; VIEW DISCRETION IS ADVISED. During and after each performance, mental health counselors will be on hand to offer support and resources to audience members via private audio/video chat.
THE DETAILS
WHAT: Talkback Panel WHEN: Saturday, March 13, 2021 TIME: Immediately following the 7:30 PM show WHERE: https://indstate-edu.zoom.us/j/96927668676 HOW: Join the Zoom at any time during/after the show NOTE: Registration is not necessary If you join the Zoom, you will put into a one-on-one consultation with a representative from the Indiana State University Student Counseling Center or a berevement counselor specializing in infant loss from Union Hospital.
SPECIAL THANKS Sister Barbara Battista Kathy Boone-Ginter Michael Compton Macy Copple Sister Paula Damiano Melissa Grinlade Austin Guoli Sue Hoopengarner Dr. Tom Johnson Sara Julian Sister Mary Montgomery Irish Mosah Kurt Perry Paula Turner Indiana State University Student Counseling Center Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
TALKBACK PANEL After the Saturday, March 13th performance, there will be a talkback panel to discuss the play and the production. Panelists include Sister Paula Damiano (InterFaith Council Vice President and Co-Director of the Providence Spirituality and Conference Center), Dr. Tom Johnson (IFC member and ISU Professor of Psychology), and Dr. Arthur Feinsod. The talkback is open to anyone to attend, no matter which performance watched. Questions from the audience are welcome and encouraged!
THE DETAILS
WHAT: Talkback Panel WHEN: Saturday, March 13, 2021 TIME: Immediately following the 7:30 PM show WHERE: https://indstate-edu.zoom.us/j/96405312522 HOW: Simply join the Zoom meeting after the show NOTE: Registration is not necessary
PANELIST BIOS SISTER PAULA DAMIANO (she/her/hers). Sister Paula Damiano is a Sister of Providence of Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana and currently ministers as Director of Providence Spirituality and Conference Center. Her prior ministries include: teaching religion, journalism and art to high school students, training master catechists, vocation ministry and congregation leadership. Sister Paula has led retreats and workshops on a variety of spiritual topics in the United States, including Hawaii, in Canada, Europe and in Asia. She has a special interest in combining art and music in retreat work. Sister Paula holds a bachelor’s degree in art education, a master’s degree in spirituality from Fordham University, and a certificate in Business Executive Management from California State University. She enjoys making cards, watching good theater and movies and traveling (she turned in the tentcamping gear for hotels!). DR. TOM JOHNSON (he/him/his). Dr. Tom Johnson is Professor of Psychology at Indiana State University, where in 2005 he was awarded the Theodore Dreiser Research and Creative Activities Award for his research on social influences on college student alcohol use. He has published 34 research articles and book chapters and given nearly 100 conference presentations. He is a licensed clinical psychologist, with experience in community mental health and forensic settings. For 10 years Dr. Johnson was the co-director of the ISU Center for the Study of Health, Religion, and Spirituality. He also has a long history of involvement with the performing arts. He studied music at Indiana University, the University of Wisconsin, and ISU and has a Professional Certificate in Jazz Composition and Arranging from Berklee Online. Tom has written several short plays, as well as book, music, and lyrics for two musicals. Tom’s musical compositions have been performed by amateur and professional ensembles in six states. He has performed in amateur theater settings in the Wabash Valley, and has had the privilege of consulting with several ISU student playwrights regarding plays dealing with mental health issues. He is currently working with a “virtual jazz orchestra” to record a series of his jazz compositions.
Alpha Psi Omega Theater Honor Society
Do you like theater and helping your communtity?
ALPHA PSI OMEGA IS THE PLACE FOR YOU! Do you have experience in theater? Are you a second semester freshman? Like helping your theatrical community?
ALPHA PSI OMEGA was organized as a theatre honor society for the purpose of providing acknowledgement to those demonstrating a high standard of accomplishment in theatre and, through the expansion of ALPHA PSI OMEGA among colleges and universities, providing a wider fellowship for those interested in theatre.
Get in touch with our president for more information:
kdowell1@sycamores.indstate.edu
DEPARTMENT OF THEATER FACULTY & STAFF Chris Berchild.............................. Department Chair, Projection and Sound, Theater Theory Julie Dixon..........................................................................................Acting, Movement Arthur Feinsod........................................................ Playwriting, Theater History, Directing Michael Jackson..................................... Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Stage Technology Alicia Jay............................................................ Theater Management and Administration Tresa Makosky......................................................................................... Adjunct Faculty Kate Mathis.................................................................. Costume Design and Construction Grace Muñoz.............................................................................Costume Shop Supervisor Toni Roloff.................................................Administrative Assistant, Ticket Office Manager David Vogel..................................................... Technical Direction, Scene Shop Supervisor
THE INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF THEATER PRESENTS:
COMING UP NEXT
BY JOHN PIELMEIER
DIRECTED BY JULIE DIXON
DIRECTED BY ARTHUR FEINSOD
APRIL
14-17, 2021
WEDNESDAYSATURDAY AT 7:30 PM
TICKETS: $10 IN-PERSON; $5 ONLINE INDSTATE.EDU/CAS/THEATER
“AGNES OF GOD” IS PRESENTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CONCORD THEATRICALS ON BEHALF OF SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. WWW.CONCORDTHEATRICALS.COM
MARCH
11-14, 2021
THURSDAY-SATURDAY AT 7:30 PM SUNDAY AT 3:00 PM ONLINE ONLY
TICKETS: $5 GENERAL ADMISSION INDSTATE.EDU/CAS/THEATER