Saint Louise, Pray for Us

by Maggie Smith

After their youngest sister's unexpected death, two young women, Gen and Toni, take the logical next step in attempting to canonize her as a saint. In diving into the details of her life, however, the two learn much more about her than they bargained for.

After their youngest sister's unexpected death, two young women, Gen and Toni, take the logical next step in attempting to canonize her as a saint. In diving into the details of her life, however, the two learn much more about her than they bargained for.

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Saint Louise, Pray for Us

Recommended by

  • Jack Levine: Saint Louise, Pray for Us by Maggie Smith
    “

    MAGGIE SMITH’s full-length play, “Saint Louise, Pray For Us”, is one of the best plays I have read on New Play Exchange. The story is one of sisters trying to cope with the loss of their younger sister. I was so moved by this play. Each character was so real in my mind’s eye. The plot has twists and turns, surprise reveals, and is totally captivating. I highly recommend this play be read and produced. I would absolutely want to be in the audience. MAGNIFICENT!!!

    MAGGIE SMITH’s full-length play, “Saint Louise, Pray For Us”, is one of the best plays I have read on New Play Exchange. The story is one of sisters trying to cope with the loss of their younger sister. I was so moved by this play. Each character was so real in my mind’s eye. The plot has twists and turns, surprise reveals, and is totally captivating. I highly recommend this play be read and produced. I would absolutely want to be in the audience. MAGNIFICENT!!!

    ”
  • Paul Donnelly: Saint Louise, Pray for Us by Maggie Smith
    “

    A plot summary would not to justice to this compelling meditation on the distorting qualities of grief and the vagaries of memory. The plot is certainly gripping, full of twists and revelations, but it is most powerful in the way it explores the true nature of unconditional love. The complex and fully human characters undergo a journey that is full of surprises, difficult truths, and, ultimately, reconciliation.

    A plot summary would not to justice to this compelling meditation on the distorting qualities of grief and the vagaries of memory. The plot is certainly gripping, full of twists and revelations, but it is most powerful in the way it explores the true nature of unconditional love. The complex and fully human characters undergo a journey that is full of surprises, difficult truths, and, ultimately, reconciliation.

    ”

Character Information

As a writer, I am dedicated to creating diverse worlds onstage. Some of the most defining moments of my life involve me seeing myself represented onstage, television, or in literature. Because of this, I highly recommend casting this play diversely in regards to race, gender identity, and disability. You won’t be depicting the real world if you ignore this request.



  • GEN
    A curveball; lighthearted and carefree, the charismatic sibling used to all of the attention on her
    Twenty-Two
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
  • TONI
    A busybody; sets her mind on an objective and follows through, decides to get her youngest sister canonized as a saint upon her unexpected death
    Eighteen
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
  • LOUISE
    A recently deceased sixteen-year-old, seemingly perfect but harboring guilt enough for three people; remembered as a symbol of purity and perfection
    Sixteen
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
  • MARY
    Mother of the Coughlin family, grieving the loss of her youngest daughter and attempting to carry on; a woman in need of help no one around her can give
    Early Forties or Older
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
  • EMMA
    Gen’s friend from high school, a source of comfort and understanding
    Twenty-Two
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
  • RILEY
    Louise’s best friend, who died when they were eleven; cautious and a follower (may double with TYLER)
    Anywhere Between Eleven and Sixteen
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s
  • TYLER
    Riley’s twin brother; carrying the weight of a five-year-old secret and thousands of dollars in cash (may double with RILEY)
    Sixteen
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
  • FATHER LEO THOMSON
    Gen, Toni, and Louise’s uncle on their father’s side; petitioned into helping the sisters with the canonization
    Mid-Forties or Older
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s

Production History

  • Workshop, Loyola University Chicago , 2022