Lipscomb had a unique opportunity last week to host the Christian Scholars Conference, during which scholars from all over the country descended upon the campus to hear panel discussions and speeches on theology, art, racism and many other topics.
But what may have been the highlight of the conference was not a panel or speech, but a play.
John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt has been performed on stages all over the country, and has even been turned into a major motion picture starring such masters as Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman. But last week, it was Lipscomb’s Mike Fernandez, chair of the Theater Department, who took the director’s role.
Directing such a renowned play is probably trying, but when you add the fact that Shanley himself was in attendance for the opener, it’s obvious that it was a taxing — if rewarding — time for Fernandez.
I’m happy to report that Doubt was performed without a hitch. And while the play was well directed and acted, the best part of the evening came after the curtain closed that first night.
That’s when the talk-back began. Shanley and the cast and designers, including Fernandez, talked openly to audience about what the experience of putting on Doubt meant to them.
The audience was able to ask questions, and most of them were directed towards Shanley. It was great to hear from Shanley how he took experiences from his childhood to help him write the play.
In a moment of bluntness, Shanley tried to describe what it was like seeing his play being performed at Lipscomb. He said, in so many words, that he had never seen the play performed after spending the entire day with people praying.
Shanley’s play asks a lot of questions, most of which are not easy to swallow, especially for the typical Lipscomb crowd. Doubt raises questions not just about child molestation in the Catholic Church, but about faith and whether or not God is real.
I can imagine Shanley must have prepared himself to face some sort of hostility from the audience at the end, but if it was there, I didn’t see it. I think that says a lot about the crowd in attendance that night. I don’t think anyone from the crowd walked away with their faith wavering or on uneven ground. If anything, it was strengthened.
From what I could tell, I think Shanley was impressed by the audience, particularly for how well-received his play was with such a staunchly religious crowd. And if I am being honest, I think everyone walked out of Shamblin Auditorium that night having learned something. And really, that is all anyone could ask for.
This play is produced in collaboration with Tennessee Repertory Theater, Actors Bridge Ensemble, Amun Ra Theatre and the Nashville Shakespeare Festival and will feature professional Nashville actors and designers. Lipscomb’s production of Doubt, a Parable continues to run June 11 and 12 at 7:00 p.m. and June 13 at 2:00. Reserve your tickets at www.lipscomb.edu/csc/public-events/ or by calling 615.966.7609. Cost is $15.
Watch Mike Fernandez, Chair of Lipscomb University’s Theater Department and Director of “Doubt” shares his story of pulling off an incredible show in front of award-winning playwright, John Patrick Shanley. Click to view the video.