"Doubt: A Parable" Stage Play Casting Actors

Sister Aloysius wears a black bonnet, a black habit, and rimless glasses. The the principal of St. Nicholas Church School in the Bronx, Sister Aloysius is rigid and conservative in her vision of education, watchful over her teachers and students, and firm about the hierarchy of the church and its disciplinary methods. Before she became a nun, Sister Aloysius was married, but her husband died in World War II. She is sharply intelligent, and often wields her intelligence as a weapon.

Father Flynn is a working-class Northeasterner turned well-liked priest and teacher. His goal is “progressive education and a well-rounded church,” making him popular with the students, but unpopular with the traditional principal Sister Aloysius. Sometimes, his progressive nature blurs the boundary between his position as priest and the role he plays as “friend” to some of the students. His sermons are engaging and clear, though he does use fabrications to support his points.

Sister James is a young nun and teacher at the St. Nicholas Church School. Though she’s at times overwhelmed by her eighth-grade students, she does her best to resolve any issues herself. Sister James is an enthusiastic teacher who loves history, though according to Sister Aloysius, her teaching methods verge a bit towards the performative. Sister James is sensitive and eager to forgive and forget, so she struggles to make sense of the conflict between Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn.

The mother of Donald Muller, an African-American student who recently transferred to St. Nicholas Church School. Mrs. Muller aims to make a good impression, dressed in her Sunday best to meet with Sister Aloysius. Mrs. Muller is intelligent and fully aware that her race is a factor in her treatment and the treatment of her son, and she pulls no punches. She is fiercely protective of her son, although she knows that her husband beats Donald, perhaps because he is effeminate.