In this anthology theater expert Roger Ellis culls together dramatic scenes and monologues that all deal with spiritual experience. From various religious and non-religious perspectives the book explores various aspects of spirituality a religious faith martyrdom death and afterlife fate and destiny mercy and romantic love. The material comes from contemporary plays by some of the most gifted playwrights a Arthur Miller Tony Kushner John Patrick Shanley John Pielmeier Tammy Ryan Elie Wiesel Karen Sunde and others. Perfect for high-school through college-age students as well as for actors and general readers this volume contains nearly 100 scenes ranging from comic to serious grouped in five categories: Scenes for a Man and a Woman Scenes for Two Women Scenes for Two Men Monologues for Women and Monologues for Men. In addition to the monologues Ellis includes notes on staging to help actors and directors bring these scenes to life. Some of the plays sourced for this anthology include EThe CrucibleE EDoubtE EIn the Shape of a WomanE EAgnes of GodE EEpic ProportionsE EOur Lady of 121st StreetE EAngels in AmericaE and EAffection in TimeE.