William Kumma (Father Flynn) and Pam Nolte
  (Sister Aloysius) in "Doubt, A Parable." Photo
  by Erik Stuhaug.

Director’s notes on Doubt, A Parable

Very seldom have I directed a play that defied a straightforward answer to a question like “what’s it about?” Every good play has profound themes that intertwine a story, and – usually - explaining the story does justice to highlighting its themes. But Doubt is a different animal. It’s like trying to answer “what is an ocean” with just one response: It’s a body of water…it’s an eco-system…it’s salty…it’s a mode of transportation like a highway…it’s cold (or warm). Is it all of these or maybe a few of them? Is it dependant on your perspective? Or even who you are? Ultimately, who knows, without a doubt all of the definitions and the truth about an ocean?!

And therein lies the genius and mystery of our play, Doubt.

The story line of Doubt begins with the people of a parochial school in the Bronx in 1964: a parish priest, the school’s principal, a young teacher (both of these being nuns) and the mother of a young boy attending the school. Something may have occurred that places all four individuals on a collision course, a situation that could have serious, even terrible consequences.

The characters’ pursuit of truth brings up the tension between our desire for certainty and the peril of doubt. “Doubt is our enemy” – or at least that’s what I have believed. But in Shanley’s play we are shown the fragility of certainty, especially when it may be impossible to seize in concrete terms the final word on something. Like a fire alarm, doubt can save me from claiming a false-truth even as it self-destructs in flames around me. It can confront my pride, and prompt a humble acknowledgement of my limited knowledge. In a positive sense, doubt rocks the boat, throws me back a step to reassess and reflect, and ultimately challenges me to reassert my conviction or accept a new insight as my own.

I hope you find Doubt irresistible and a challenge to live with humility and curiosity.

Scott Nolte
Director of Doubt, A Parable
Producing Artistic Director – Taproot Theatre Company