First Reads: The Christians by Lucas Hnath

First Reads is a four-part staged reading series featuring local actors reading four contemporary plays the Montana Rep is considering for full productions. Staged readings let us test these stories in the community, allowing the audience and the actors to immerse themselves and envision a future production.
The Christians: Twenty years ago, Pastor Paul’s church was nothing more than a modest storefront. Now he presides over a congregation of thousands, with classrooms for Sunday School, a coffee shop in the lobby, and a baptismal font as big as a swimming pool. Today should be a day of celebration, but Paul is about to preach a sermon that will shake the foundations of his church’s belief. A big-little play about faith in America and the trouble with changing your mind.