Overview
Synopsis
In 1981, at Kibeho College in Rwanda, a young girl claims to have seen the Virgin Mary. Disbelieved both by her superiors and by her classmates, the girl -- Alphonsine -- is repeatedly ostracized, and scolded, out of fear. But when another student, Anathalie, also begins to witness the visions, and the impossible seems to come true through seeming acts of God, the tide begins to turn. In a tumult of fear, disbelief, and great acts of faith, a tiny town in Rwanda is placed in the center of a raging firestorm on the verge of explosion. Based on a remarkable true story, Our Lady of Kibeho is a striking, powerful meditation on faith, belief, and everyday miracles.
Show Information
- Book
- Katori Hall
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2014
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Spectacle
- Time & Place
- kibeho college, an all-girls catholic school in kibeho, rwanda, 1981-1982
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- diverse cast, young characters, female lead, star vehicle-female, professional theatre, College/University, Diverse Cast, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Early Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Katori Hall’s Our Lady of Kibeho is based on the true story of miraculous events that occurred at a Rwandan secondary school in the town of Kibeho in the early 1980s. The visions were attributed to three young women-- Alphonsine Mumureke (17), Anathalie Mukamazimpaka (20), and Marie Claire Mukangango (21)-- under the name “Nyina wa Jambo,” or “Mother of the Word.” One of the visions was an apocalyptic prophecy in which the Virgin showed the girls scenes of violence, destruction, and
to read the context for Our Lady of Kibeho and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Alphonsine, a teenage girl, waits outside Father Tuyishime’s office, while a group of other female students rehearse a hymn nearby. Inside, Father Tuyishime and Sister Evangelique are arguing about Alphonsine, whom the Sister has accused of lying. Alphonsine has claimed to see a vision of the Virgin Mary, but Sister Evangelique is certain this is impossible. Alphonsine is summoned in, and Sister Evangelique leaves, still furious. The kind Father Tuyishime prods Alphonsine,
to read the plot for Our Lady of Kibeho and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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