CHRIS WILSON'S
ACTORS THEATRE OF HOUSTON
presents
AGNES OF GOD
by John Pielmeier
I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know...
Actors Theatre of Houston
2506 South Blvd.
Houston, Texas
(713) 529-6606
JeanAnn Hutsell, Amelia Gustafson, Ruth Ann Black
January 23 - March 1, 1998
Fri., Sat. nights at 8pm
Sunday afternoons at 4pm
A young novice, Agnes, is accused of giving birth, strangling the baby with the unbilical cord, and
leaving it in a waste paper basket. The Mother Superior, Miriam Ruth insists on protecting Agnes
from Dr. Martha Livingstone, who is a court appointed psychiatrist sent to discover whether or not
Agnes can stand trial. The story follows Dr. Livingstone as she attempts to unravel two mysteries:
Who killed the baby and who is the father?
AGNES OF GOD debuted at Actors Theatre of Louisville. It subsequently opened on Broadway
in 1980 with Elizabeth Ashley in the role of Dr. Martha Livingstone, Geraldine Paige in the role of
Mother Miriam and Amanda Plummer in the rold of Agnes for which she won the 1982 Featured
Actress Tony Award. In 1985, Norman Jewison directed a film version with Jane Fonda as the
Doctor, Ann Bancroft as Mother and Meg Tilly , who was nominated for the Best Supporting
Actress Oscar that year, as Agnes.
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ABOUT THE DIRECTOR......
by Theresa Hyde
TheresaHyd@aol.com
George Brock directing the cast
This production is being designed and directed by George Brock. When I asked Kent Johnson (An
Enemy of the People) if he's heard of the Houston Theatre website, he replied, "Is it George
Brock's?" "No," I said to him, slightly offended. "George Brock does have an extensive interview
on there (see Talk Radio), "but it's mine. It's my website." I answered proudly, thinking to myself,
"Now, how did he get that idea?"
Upon completing the Agnes of God section, I realized that well, it might as well be George Brock's.
It's the Houston Theater Community's website, which he is a very big part of. Brock has previously
directed The Rainmaker, The Goodbye People, and Return Engagements for Actors Theatre of
Houston. He guided the critically acclaimed Scotland Road at New Heights Theatre. He is also
named as NHT's technical director in Good Night Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet).
The Agnes of God production is a fulfillment of a twelve year quest for this director. "It's been a
passion of mine. I've held a torch for this play for over ten years now, and they're finally gonna let
me do it," said George.
===============================================================
"No! No! No! That's not how you do it at all!" says George, as Amelia giggles
I asked George how many characters he has in this play.
"Three," he replied. "Four if you count God."
=====================
THE CAST
The Cast of Agnes of God
Jean Ann Hutsell as Dr. Martha Livingstone
Ruth Ann Black as Mother Miriam Ruth
and Introducing
Amelia Gustafson
in the Title Role as
AGNES OF GOD
=====================
===============================================================
INTERVIEW WITH AMELIA GUSTAFSON
IN THE TITLE ROLE AS AGNES OF GOD
by Theresa Hyde
TheresaHyd@aol.com
The pivotal role of Agnes will feature a newcomer to the Houston Theatre scene, Amelia
Gustafson. Amelia is a student at Episcopal High School and has been studying for many years at
Chris Wilson's Studio for Actors. She is sixteen years old and it is amazing how this young actress
is able to tackle this complex role.
During technical rehearsal, the first voice I hear is her beautiful singing voice. She possesses a
purely angelic, but mysteriously eerie voice. It sounded so polished, like a professional's. I couldn't
believe it came from Amelia. However, during the interview, she became her normal, soft-spoken,
giggly sweet sixteen year old self.
Amelia Gustafson as Agnes and Ruth Ann Black as Mother Superior
Theresa: Tell us about the part that you're playing......
Amelia: My part is a novice. She's come to live at the convent after living with a mother who
abused her and molested her as a child. She's kind of......she's not really crazy, I don't think. But
she does see her mother, who is now dead. And she sees a lady, who's like an angel figure that
sings through her and works through her. Nobody else sees them, but she talks to them.
She comes to the convent, and she has a baby. Nobody knows how she had the baby, and the
psychiatrist comes in. Agnes is a real sweet person, but she doesn't really remember anything. And
she teaches you a lot about (at least that's what I get out of the show).......a Belief in Miracles. That
there's a lot of people out there that are attached to God even in this crazy world.
Theresa: Did you take a lot from watching the movie, Agnes of God (with Jane Fonda, Meg Tilly
and Anne Bancroft)
Amelia: No. Not really. Not at all. George (Brock) wanted to make it different than the movie.
Theresa: How did you become a part of this?
Amelia: I have trained here (Chris Wilson Studios) since I was 8 years old. Chris Wilson told me
about this part 2 years ago, when they started talking about it. I was very excited because I was
really inspired by the script. It really meant a lot to me.
Theresa: How has Chris Wilson influenced you as an actress?
Amelia: Oh....millions of ways. She's so inspiring. Just to listen to her talk just makes you wanna get
up and try other things that she's done. And you'll always remember it.....as long as.....I'll be
onstage, and someone'll give me direction, and I'll say, "oh yeah, Chris talked about that....."
Theresa: Tell us about your past background. How did you decide to become an actress?
Amelia: I don't know.....I was kinda born with that whole Acting thing (giggles....).
Theresa: Are your parents in theatre?
Amelia: No. I started doing it when I was a little girl, and it just went on from there....been doing
shows since I was about 10, a few commercials.
Theresa: Are you from Houston?
Amelia: Yeah.....well, I live in Simonton, which is a little town 35 miles west of Houston.
Theresa: Who are your most favorite actresses?
Amelia: Chris Wilson. She can do anything just like that. And Kate Smith.
Theresa: Who would you dedicate your performance to?
Amelia: Most definitely, Chris Wilson. And George Brock
===============================================================
The Cast gets ready to go onstage
INTERVIEW WITH JEAN ANN HUTSELL
DR. MARTHA LIVINGSTONE IN AGNES OF GOD
by Theresa Hyde
TheresaHyd@aol.com
Jean Ann Hutsell is familiar to Houston audiences from her work in such shows as Scotland Road,
Vieux Carre, and Missalliance. In College she was a Theater major, and is a 1990 graduate at
Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches with a Bachelors Degree in Theater. Currently, she is
a Junior High Theater teacher at Mead Creek Junior High. She has been teaching there for 8 years.
Theresa: Tell us about this part you're playing.
JeanAnn: I'm playing Dr. Martha Livingstone who is a psychiatrist. She has a private practice. And
as a service to the government, she occasionally takes court cases, where they have to make
decisions about sanity. Obviously, they have to make judgment calls based on what I say.
So, that's why I was called in to study Agnes, and immediately she reminds me of my younger
sister, who coincidentally, died in a convent. I feel that she had been neglected and that she didn't
need to die, so I have some very strong feelings. That bitterness and cynicism really carries with me
all the way through and it causes a great deal of conflict. Conflict for me internally, as well as
between me and the Mother Superior.
I certainly don't agree with the way a lot of things are done and handled. And I can't, even though I
should be - Objective, I can't keep that out of it at all. And so there's a real struggle there, and that
makes for a very interesting character. A lot of interesting dynamics to work with.
Theresa: You play the part that Jane Fonda played in the movie. Did you use the movie as a
reference in playing this part?
JeanAnn: No. I had seen the movie. I mean, most everyone has. But I intentionally did not want to
go back and watch the movie again. For fear that I would subconsciously be mimicking Jane
Fonda. And I wouldn't want that. I want her to be my own creation. I think most actresses feel that
way. We really want to make it our own.
Jane Fonda played the psychiatrist. She comes across as a bit of a reporter, in a way because she
becomes so investigative. She seems to be doing a lot more than just counseling. Because it's sort
of a murder mysery too. Who really killed the baby? Not only that, but who was the father? Which
was never completely solved.
Amelia and Ruth Ann rehearse a scene as George and JeanAnn look on
Theresa: How did you become a part of this play?
JeanAnn: My husband is the director. You've heard of the casting couch? Well........(Laughs)
Theresa: (Laughs) Oh wow.....really?
JeanAnn: No, just kidding........
Ruth Ann Black (who plays Mother Superior was in the background quietly knitting): You know,
that's how I got cast......(laughing).
JeanAnn: Oh no......Off the tape!......Wait a second!......(laughs). No, but seriously, we have talked
about this for quite a few years. George has wanted to do this play for a long time. It was a
graduate school project for him at Lamar University and it never came through, he never got to do
it. He's had a passion for it, and shared his thoughts with me so much.
It just kind of evolved, that I could work as the psychiatrist. I appreciate the fact that he gave me
the chance, because it's a very different role than what I normally play. We're all sort of categorized
and boxed in that we tend to do the same parts over and over again. But, he took a risk with me.
And, it's kinda nice having a personal relationship with the director
Theresa: How is it like working with him?
JeanAnn: Great. Thank God. That could present some interesting conversations at home if we
hadn't worked well together. But it turned out we did. We just did one show together in the fall.
This is only our second show together. As actors, we've worked together, but never as director-
actor. And it has worked out really well. He's the best director I've ever worked with. I mean, he
really is. Not just because he's my husband.
Theresa: How long have you been married?
JeanAnn: Not even a year.....it will be a year in May.
Theresa: How did you meet?
JeanAnn: We met in a show. We did a musical together, a little over two years ago.
Theresa: Were you both singing in the musical?
JeanAnn: Yah.
Theresa: Wow. How exciting. Are you from Houston originally?
JeanAnn: I grew up in Katy.
Theresa: Tell us about your past background. Do you direct?
JeanAnn: I have directed, yes. But I tend to focus more of my energies on acting.
I'm a theater teacher by day, and I do so much directing there. I've had two offers now to teach
high school, but this is the reason I didn't take those jobs. I might not have quite as much time to do
my performing. And the way it works now, I'm in a really great position. I've been there for 8
years, and I can set my own schedule. I kinda juggle things around my own needs and it's really
nice to be able to do that. But I've been acting forever. For as long as I can remember.
Theresa: What qualities do you look for in an actress?
JeanAnn: Sincerity. Being real. I strive for that myself, of course, and I admire that in others.
Someone that I believe, and who doesn't have to push to get there. And I think that the best actors
are people who have experienced a great deal in their own lives. Because they bring that to the
work.
Theresa: Who are your most favorite actresses?
JeanAnn: Jessica Lange, Glenn Close, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Kristen Scott
Thomas, they were all in that movie together, English Patient. Willem Dafoe.
Theresa: Who influenced you as an artist?
JeanAnn: The first major positive influence. I've had some negative influences, but we'll discuss the
positive one. Actually happened late in my life, it wasn't until I went to college. My first theatre
teacher in college, Jerry Long. He made me believe in myself. I'm not really sure how I stuck with it
for so many years, because I had so many doubts about myself. And he made me realize how
much I had to offer. And he brought it out in me, boy.
Jean Ann Hutsell would like to invite everyone to "Come see Agnes of God. It's inspirational and
intellectually challenging."
===============================================================
Allyson Crawford (Asst. Director), Steven Burrus (Stage Mgr.), and George Brock watch the rehearsals
INTERVIEW WITH RUTH ANN BLACK
MOTHER MIRIAM RUTH IN AGNES OF GOD
by Theresa Hyde
TheresaHyd@aol.com
Ruth Ann Black will play the role of Mother Miriam Ruth. Ms. Black's credits include Broadway
Bound, The Foreigner, and A Perfect Ganesh. She claims she has no acting background, but her
performance in this play is incredibly believable. Her professionalism comes from being a Ballet
teacher for 35 years.
As Mother Superior, she comes across as a strict disciplinarian, but in a protective motherly way.
As Ruth Ann, she has a very charming and gracious sense of humour.
Theresa: Tell us about the role you're playing.
RuthAnn: The role that I'm playing is the role of Mother Miriam Ruth who is the Mother Superior
of the Convent where Agnes is staying. This is a Meditative Order, not a teaching order. It's a very
small convent, they spend a lot of time in prayer and meditation.
Theresa: And you play the part that Ann Bancroft played in the movie......
RuthAnn: Yes, or more specifically, the part that Geraldine Paige played on the stage. The show
was originally a Broadway production.
Theresa: Did you have to look back in the movie and use it as a reference for your role in this play?
RuthAnn: I was fortunate enough to see the Broadway production. Which starred Geraldine Paige,
Amanda Plummer, and Elizabeth Ashley, the year that it opened in Broadway. It was at that time,
one of the most exciting theater experiences I've ever had, and from that moment on, I wanted to
do this show. At that time, I was at an age that where I had an opportunity to be in this show, I
would have played the role of the psychiatrist. And finally, with this production, my wish came true.
Theresa: How did you become a part of this play?
RuthAnn: I have known George for a couple of years, I've actually been in a couple of plays with
him. Two years ago we did a production here, and in this very dressing room in fact, we're
discussing projects that we would like to do. He asked me if there were any shows that I really
would love to do, and I said "Yes, Agnes of God." And he said, "And I want to direct it!" And it
sort of been in our minds since then.
Theresa: Tell us about your acting background.
RuthAnn: I have no acting background. I was a ballet teacher for about 35 years. When I was in
my mid-forties, a friend of mine, who was a professional actor in New York came to my
hometown to try to start a repertory company. I ran into him on the street one day, and he said,
"I'm trying to cast a play, do you act?" And I said, "I have no idea." I auditioned for him, and he
said, yes indeed, you do.....And I sort of got bitten by the bug.
But I've had no formal training. Yes I've taken a couple of one hour classes, from Chris Wilson, a
couple from her son Brandon Smith, but to say I'm a formally trained actor, would be an absolute
lie.
Theresa: Who are your most favorite actors?
RuthAnn: Most of my favorite actors would be people connected more with the stage, as opposed
to film. Geraldine Paige being one. Maureen Stapleton is certainly someone that I admire. Julie
Harris, names that.....to movie buffs don't really mean a lot, but to theater they do.
Theresa: What qualities do you look for in an actor?
RuthAnn: Dedication. A willingness to commit to perfection. I look for people who are doing this
for the sheer love of the work, and not looking necessarilly for any monetary gains from it. I look
for people who are pleasant to work with, who are tireless in their energy and in their pursuit of
Perfection.
Theresa: Who influenced you as an artist?
RuthAnn: That would have to go back to my ballet days. I admired people like Margot Fonteyn,
Rudolph Nureyev, Ballanchine.....that was the beginning, I suppose of my Perfectionist mode. And
then in later years, I transferred that into Acting.
Theresa: Who would you dedicate your performance to?
RuthAnn: To the theater gods. (Laughs)
Front: Amelia Gustafson, JeanAnn Hutsell
Back: Ruth Ann Black, George Brock, Allyson Crawford, and Steve Burrus