Marginalia by Katherine Gwynn

A medieval scriptorium in the 14th century. A girl who has visions who wants to read Sappho. A boy with a secret who wants to make books. Two monks who spend their days among words but can't seem to talk straight to one another . A wealthy widow who wants to build something that outlasts her. And an Abbott who likes to kneel.

A play about faith as an act of creation, creation as an act of...
A medieval scriptorium in the 14th century. A girl who has visions who wants to read Sappho. A boy with a secret who wants to make books. Two monks who spend their days among words but can't seem to talk straight to one another . A wealthy widow who wants to build something that outlasts her. And an Abbott who likes to kneel.

A play about faith as an act of creation, creation as an act of faith, and building the life you want out of the margins.
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Marginalia

Recommended by

  • arroyo monfiletto:
    14 Mar. 2023
    “ A profound work about historical queerness and religious eroticism. Gay Catholics will eat it up. ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    31 Aug. 2021
    “ A marvelous story discovering the beauty of faith and its relation to creation along the journey of life. Well done! ”
  • David Hansen:
    11 Apr. 2020
    “ WIth this script, Gwynn celebrates passion; passion for books, passion for reading, passion for writing, and passion for passion. She has created a lively little abbey, peopled with charming characters, each seeking their own garden of earthly delights. If only the world were more like this Benedictine cloister. It is a captivating play, one which I would love to see produced. Highly recommended! ”

Character Information

AALIS: An oblate given to the monastery who has had visions since she was a child. She/hers.
ADAM: a monk who has just joined the monastery. He/His.
FREDERIC: the Abbott of the Monastery. He/His.
PHILOMENA: A widowed wealthy woman of nobility, who is a benefactor to the monastery. She/hers.
WILMOT: a monk and illuminator in the scriptorium. He/His.
SERAFINO: a monk and transcriber in the scriptorium. He/His.

  • AALIS
    16,
    Any
    ,
    Cis Woman
    An oblate given to the monastery who has had visions since she was a child. She/hers.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • ADAM
    16,
    Any
    ,
    Trans man
    a monk who has just joined the monastery. He/His. Must be played by a trans man/trans-masculine actor.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • PHILOMENA
    40s-50s,
    Any but preference for a Jewish actor
    ,
    Cis Woman
    A widowed wealthy woman of nobility, who is a benefactor to the monastery. She/hers.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • SERAFINO
    30s-40s,
    Any
    ,
    Cis Man
    a monk and transcriber in the scriptorium. He/His.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • WILMOTT
    30s-40s,
    Any
    ,
    Cis Man
    a monk and illuminator in the scriptorium. He/His.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • FREDERIC
    40s-50s,
    White
    ,
    Cis Man
    the Abbott of the Monastery. He/His.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary