Faith, reason and murder set the scene for Southeastern’s theatrical production of “Agnes of God,” a controversial drama written by John Pielmeier, which ran from Nov. 15-20 in the Vonnie Borden Theatre.

Directed by assistant acting professor James Winter, the play surrounds the story of a novice nun named Agnes, who gives birth to a child without knowledge of the event, nor how it was conceived. The story makes its way to the tabloids when Agnes is found unconscious in her room and her child dead in a wastepaper basket.

Enter court-appointed psychiatrist Dr. Martha Livingston, who is called upon to examine Agnes. A conflict of wills ensues between the doctor and Mother Miriam, the mother superior of the convent who may have a clue to the mystery. She refuses to divulge information, wishing to protect Agnes’s fragile mind instead. Beyond the murder lies the debate on the nature of miracles, virgin birth and the will of God. The answers Livingston finds may be what saves or destroys Agnes.

“I was really intrigued by the mystery of the play,” said Winter. “There were so many things in that play that resonated with me that I was just immediately taken by the whole thing.”

Traditionally, “Agnes of God” requires only three actresses, but this production was double-cast, two actresses for each character. Freshman communication major Kayla Turner and sophomore vocal major Karista Filopoulos were in the role of Agnes.

Organizational communication senior Marjorie Parker and general studies junior Ruth Pakunpanya took on the role of the protective Miriam, while creative writing junior Kacie Barnes and English education junior Dani deMontluzin played Livingston.

According to Winter, the reason for the double casting the realization that he was going to have enough time to work with his first cast and still have time to spare to turn his understudies into a second cast.

“They deserved an opportunity,” said Winter. “So I decided to go with six instead of three.”

The double cast was not the only thing different for this production. In order to create a more intimate setting, set designer Drew Zeringue constructed audience seating on the stage itself, where audience members were up close and personal with the actresses.

Winter’s direction was quite strong for this production, especially in the proverbial game of chess between Dr. Livingston and Mother Miriam, who vie for the upper hand to save Agnes’s soul. However, it was the combined talents of the actresses that pulled the production together.

“Both casts were amazing,” said senior general studies Danielle Nobles. “I could not have wanted more. The actresses miraculously brought the audience through the intense emotions with evocative perfection. I think we all left with pieces of Agnes those nights, and that’s miracle enough.”