A performance in Marion this weekend aims to both entertain the audience, and enhance the venue.
John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt: A Parable" tells the story of a young priest, a seasoned nun, and questions about motives and actions inside and outside the church. WildflowerIncorporated's production of "Doubt" takes the show one step further, into a site-specific performance at the Goddard Chapel - located in Marion's cemetery.
"For us, this was perfect because the actual setting for the play is a catholic school - the principal's office in a catholic school, and the garden, and the pulpit. So for us, it worked out real well."
Director Deborah Runion says the chapel puts the actors - and the audience - right into the scene, whether they're ready or not. The audience is right in the middle of the action, too - sitting in pews under stained glass windows, inside stone walls with a high ceiling.
"One of the good things about a smaller space like this, is that this particular play is a extremely intimate play - very emotional between the characters. Having a smaller space for the actors to work in actually brings that intimacy better."
Heather Barnett plays Sister James. "I've never done show before where the lights were on, and I had to look at the audience, so I'm kind of nervous about that. Because part of the safety of being on stage is that you are in the dark, and you can't see what's going on. So that will be different, and it will also be different in the way that we have to speak. We found out very quickly that I always get in trouble for speaking too softly, and I'm the only one who didn't have to pull back - because the echo, the acoustics in here are so wonderful."
She's performed in "Doubt" before - in Los Angeles. But she says bringing the play to Marion, and specifically to the Goddard Chapel, is personal.
"I just happened to be driving by - my grandparents are buried here in the cemetery - and I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I could do Doubt in the Chapel!' And I wasn't sure if the city would allow us, or how that would work out. But I called, and they were thrilled for it to be used, to get people in here to see it, and to support it. You know, sometimes things just fall into place like they need to. And again, it just popped into my head and I went 'Oh my gosh, that would be perfect,' and it has been exactly right for this show."
To that end, the production of Doubt will provide additional funding for the Goddard Chapel - which marked its 100th Anniversary last year. Half of the show's proceeds will be donated for maintenance and upkeep.
Briar Fortkamp plays Father Flynn - an idealistic, progressive priest who runs up against a more traditional Sister Aloysius. Fortkamp says getting into character is easier in a venue so closely matching the show - he says the close proximity of the audience doesn't bother him.
"I'm usually super nervous right before a show, but as soon as I say my first line, I'm fine. And with the lights staying on, that means you're constantly on, so I don't think I"ll get back into that, 'Oh I've got to go back on stage,' or after intermission, have that nervous energy again. You just do the show."
There is no stage in the Goddard Chapel, per se. The actors will be interacting with the audience - as parishioners, students, and other people in the congregation. Director Deborah Runion:
"I think people will find it to be a very engaging play. It has emotions that run up and down, the whole way. It has strong characters, and we have some very strong actors that are taking those roles on."
Briar Fortkamp says his Father Flynn discusses doubt a lot, but he's most excited about being able to embody doubt itself through his character.
"You end the play with doubt, so it doesn't tell you if he is guilty or if he isn't guilty. I asked the director what she thinks I should play it as, and she said, 'Play it how you want and don't tell me, don't tell anybody.' So only I'm the one that knows. I think that's pretty cool - a little secret."
Doubt opens Friday, November 1st at the Goddard Chapel in Marion, and runs through the weekend.
