Set in the basement of a suburban home in Providence, Rhode Island, this play centers on a pregnant rape victim, Keely, being sequestered by an anti-abortion Christian cult, and Du, the cult member watching her. This play was written in 1994 by the playwright assuming the pseudonym of Jane Martin, and it was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. This play was written when abortions were expressly legal and could be kept confidential, but they were still a major issue in the United States.

In Keely and Du, Keely is locked in a basement by Walter, a minister who has a strong anti-abortion stance. Du, the cult member guarding her, is initially met with resistance from Keely, who claims that the work of the cult is unjust. Walter’s use of religious rhetoric is met with similar results. Over time, the two women form a connection when they trade stories of their previous marriages, and later form a fragile alliance as Keely remains in the captivity of the cult.

Conceptually, Keely and Du is a play that questions the Christian realities of procreation, and it grapples with who is accountable for the conception of children. Ultimately, it explores the extent of individual freedom, and how some choose to follow collective responsibilities when others may value individual freedom.

Credits: Directed by Ken McCoy, Scenic Design by Krista Franco, Lighting Design by Preston Foss, Sound Design by Branden Rogers, Costume Design by Cheryl Orr, October 2024.

Photos by AndYou Films