READING AND AUDITION DATES/NOTICE POSTED FOR DOUBT: A PARABLE to be directed by Chris Gilbey-Smith.
DOUBT: A PARABLE
By John Patrick Shanley
DIRECTOR: Chris Gilbey-Smith
PERFORMANCE DATES 25 FEBRUARY – 7 MARCH 2026
REHEARSALS WILL COMMENCE EARLY JANUARY 2026.
There will be a reading of the play on 2 September 2025 so that those interested can hear the text come off the page and then make a judgement whether they wish to go forward to the audition on 7 September 2025.
READING: Tuesday 2 September at 7.30 p.m. at the theatre
AUDITION: Sunday 7 September at 11 a.m. at the theatre
THE PLAY
Set in a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, this Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning masterpiece by John Patrick Shanley offers four of the most demanding and rewarding roles in contemporary theatre. It is a gripping psychological drama that pits conviction against uncertainty, tradition against change, and justice against faith.
When Sister Aloysius Beauvier, the fiercely strict principal of St. Nicholas School, suspects the warm, progressive, charismatic and disarming Father Flynn of inappropriate behaviour with the school’s first Black student, she launches a private crusade to expose him. But without hard evidence, only suspicion, she finds herself in a high-stakes game of moral chess—where one wrong move could destroy lives, reputations, and her own sense of righteousness. Truth in this world is slippery, and power plays out in unexpected ways.
As the tension escalates, so does the emotional complexity. Sister James, the young, impressionable nun, becomes the heart of the storm — her innocence challenged by the weight of implication. And Mrs. Muller, the boy’s mother, brings a voice from outside the Church that shakes the foundation of everyone’s assumptions.
This play isn’t just a drama—it’s a theatrical battleground. The roles are rich, layered, and electric. Each character walks a tightrope between vulnerability and power, between fear and faith. The silences roar. Every scene dares the audience—and the actors—to confront what it means to know something, and what it means to act when you’re not sure.
REVIEWS
The New York Times – Ben Brantley
“An inspired study in moral uncertainty… Shanley’s script is a tight, bruising puzzle box of a play — every line laced with subtext, every pause electric with implication. It is rare to see a work so rooted in its time and place that feels so universally resonant. Doubt is not about answers. It’s about the storm that begins the moment we stop being sure.”
Variety
“John Patrick Shanley has crafted a gripping parable of suspicion and certainty that avoids easy answers and simplistic moralizing. A masterclass in restrained tension, Doubt offers actors rich emotional terrain and an audience a haunting, unforgettable experience. This is drama at its most pure and dangerous.”
Chicago Tribune
“A play of profound integrity and razor-sharp ambiguity… It’s a rare thing in contemporary theater: a work that engages both the heart and the mind, while never once talking down to its audience. Shanley has written a modern classic — tense, timely, and, most importantly, human.”
THE CHARACTERS
Sister Aloysius Beauvier
Playing Age: 50 plus
A battle-hardened nun and principal of St. Nicholas School. Rigid, deeply conservative, and fiercely protective of her students, Sister Aloysius believes discipline is the path to safety and moral order. She is sharp-witted, emotionally restrained, and unafraid to confront authority. When she suspects Father Flynn of misconduct, she becomes single-minded in her pursuit of the truth — or at least what she believes to be truth. But beneath the armour lies a woman deeply affected by the weight of moral responsibility and the loneliness of leadership.
Father Brendan Flynn
Playing Age: Late 30s plus
A progressive and well-liked priest with a warm demeanor and a modern approach to leadership. Flynn is charismatic, articulate, and deeply human. He connects easily with students and parishioners, and challenges the Church’s traditional rigidity. But when suspicion arises about his relationship with a vulnerable student, the easy charm becomes a defense — or perhaps a mask.
Sister James
Playing Age: 20s to mid 30s
A young nun and teacher at St. Nicholas School, full of optimism, compassion, and a desire to be liked. Sister James is gentle, trusting, and emotionally open — a sharp contrast to Sister Aloysius. She wants to see the best in others and is unsettled by the suspicion and conflict around her. Throughout the play, she is pulled between innocence and experience, loyalty and truth, and is forced to grow in uncomfortable ways.
Mrs. Muller
Playing Age: 30s to mid 40s
Ethnicity: Black or Mixed Race
The mother of Donald Muller, the school’s only Black student. Mrs. Muller is the emotional centre of the play. She is composed, guarded, and quietly desperate. Her priorities are survival and protection of her son, and she is willing to accept complicated realities if it means keeping him safe.
This is a devastating and layered monologue-driven role. A true showstopper.
AGES ARE GUIDELINES
AUDITION GUIDELINES
For the audition you will be asked to perform different parts of the text with other auditionees. Text will be provided on the day and you will be given time to read through and prepare. American accents required.
Do try to arrive on time so that you don’t miss lots of useful information about the play and being part of the production. The reading and the audition will be held at the theatre. Please come to the Stage Door at the rear of the theatre in Spencer’s Yard. There is access through the gate to the left of The Fold on Spencer Street. A Loft sign on the gate indicates the direction into the yard. The Fold is the large white building with pillars. Head in the direction of the red arrow across Spencer’s Yard to the Stage Door in the corner. The words ‘Stage Door’ are painted on the wall.
To register interest, or if you are interested but can’t make the dates, or for any more information, please get in touch with the director, Chris Gilbey-Smith at chrisgilbeysmith@lofttheatrecompany.com
CASTING POLICY
The Loft’s casting policy is centred on casting the very best actors for each role. Casting will always be open and neutral. Everyone is welcome and warmly encouraged to attend auditions. If specific race/ethnicity or other characteristics are central to the story, we will make this clear in audition notices. There is no pre-casting without the express permission of the Artistic Director.
We no longer have membership subscriptions. It is free to join our company.
