The human experience is often marked by a profound search for meaning and a desire for transcendence. In our modern world, where the boundaries between faith and doubt blur, contemporary playwrights have explored these themes with raw emotion and insightful perspectives.
This curated collection presents a myriad of scenes and monologues from the finest contemporary plays that delve into the complexities of spiritual experience. These evocative pieces offer a window into the human condition, inviting us to reflect on our own journeys, beliefs, and the essence of existence.
Scene: from "The Christians" by Lucas Hnath
A pastor grapples with his faith and the meaning of his work in the face of a crisis that shakes his congregation.
"I've been a pastor for 20 years. I've baptized hundreds of people. I've married hundreds of couples. I've buried hundreds of the dead. And I've never once doubted my faith. Until now."
- Pastor Paul
Monologue: from "Doubt: A Parable" by John Patrick Shanley
A nun confronts her own prejudices and beliefs as she investigates allegations of abuse within her Catholic school.
"I have spent my life in the service of my God. I have taught his word, and I have tried to live by his example. But now I am faced with a choice. I can either believe what I have been told, or I can believe my own eyes."
- Sister Aloysius Beauvier
Scene: from "The Book of Mormon" by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez
Two young Mormon missionaries embark on a journey to Uganda, where they encounter a world far different from their own.
"I've always believed that the Book of Mormon was true. But now I'm not so sure. I've seen things here that I can't explain. I've seen people who are suffering, and I've seen people who are dying. And I don't know what to do anymore."
- Elder Price
Monologue: from "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Simon Stephens
A brilliant but autistic teenager investigates the mysterious death of his neighbor's dog, leading him on a journey of self-discovery and exploration.
"I know that I am different. I know that I see the world differently than other people. But I also know that I am capable of great things. I am not a freak. I am not a mistake. I am who I am, and I will not be ashamed of it."
- Christopher Boone
Scene: from "Angels in America" by Tony Kushner
A group of characters navigate the AIDS crisis in New York City in the 1980s, grappling with issues of faith, mortality, and the meaning of life.
"I used to think that God was a man with a long white beard who sat on a throne in heaven. But now I think that God is something much bigger than that. God is in everything. God is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat. God is in the love we share, and the pain we endure. God is in the struggle, and the hope. God is in the living, and the dying."
- Prior Walter
Monologue: from "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams
A young woman with a fragile mind retreats into a world of glass figurines, seeking solace and connection.
"I always
