Zoe Bronstein is a sophomore making her directing debut at USF with John Pielmeier's Agnes of God which opens tonight at the Studio Theater on Lone Mountain at 8pm. Part of the Performing Arts Department's Student Cabaret Series, Agnes of God is a drama about a young nun who is tried for an unthinkable crime. Zoe shared a little about how this project came to be and how she hopes it will affect audiences on our campus. Click here for show dates and directions.
How did you decide to direct Agnes of God as a Student Cabaret for the Performing Arts Department?
Zoe: This show has resonated with me since I was about sixteen, for the structure of the script (the entire show is a memory of the main character) and the actual characters (three very strong women of varying ages). When I was thinking of shows to submit to the Cabaret program, I didn't even think of Agnes of God [at first]. It wasn't until I went through a list of plays that Ken Sonkin, the Cabaret teacher, had that I remembered it. I figured that if I still loved the show after being familiar with it for four years, I had to make an effort to recreate it on campus.
This play is potentially controversial. It deals with issues of morality within the structure of the Catholic Church and the struggle between faith and reason. Do you think this has a special resonance with USF as a Jesuit University?
Zoe: Yes, I do. That's one of the reasons I chose this show. I thought it would be especially provocative and interesting for the Jesuit faculty members.
Were you concerned about the way Catholic audience members might feel or react?
Zoe: I definitely wanted to make sure that any person who identified with Catholicism would be comfortable while watching the show. No one likes to go to a play and find out it's just going to preach to them about how their way of living is somehow wrong. I wanted to be respectful, and make it clear that Agnes of God is not about the problems of religion; it is about the relationships that are cultivated between believers and non-believers.
The Vatican has recently been in the news thanks to a growing sex abuse scandal. Do you see any link between what's going on with the Catholic Church right now and the situation that takes place in Agnes of God in terms of the way the Church deals with internal controversies?
Zoe: Audience members might connect the play to real life events and controversies. The play was actually based on a true event where a nun was on trial for the murder of her infant, which was kept a secret until she gave birth. She was found not guilty [by] reason of insanity. This was not a sex abuse scandal in so many words, but sexuality (and the idea that it should be stifled) is definitely a theme explored in this show.
You're working with a small cast (three actresses) of USF students. What has the experience of directing your peers been like?
Zoe: It's been fantastic being able to work with these talented women. Every single one brings something new and unexpected to rehearsal, and they are all so different and click so well. Directing my peers has been a wonderful opportunity to learn how to direct a cast with respect and consideration.
What do you think your audience will be most surprised by when they see the play?
Zoe: I hope they'll be drawn in by the drama and the strong emotions in the show. As for surprises, I won't spoil them.
Finally, what do you hope audience members will take away from Agnes of God?
Zoe: I want them to come out of the show with a sense of catharsis. You experience a lot with these characters, and the climax of the show is exciting and heartbreaking. I want people to be inspired to talk about the show as an artistic piece and a social commentary.
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Agnes of God by John Pielmeier opens tonight at the Studio Theater on Lone Mountain. Showtime is at 8pm.
Performances: March 26, 27 and 28 at 8pm
At the Studio Theater on USF's Lone Mountain campus, 2800 Turk St., San Francisco (directions available here)
Featuring: Megan Pohlman, Kat Cole, and Samantha Sheppard-Gonzales.
To RSVP or for more information, click here.
