This project studies the relationship between religion, particularly Christianity, and the theatre through the works of female playwrights. The project begins with Hroswitha of Gandersheim, the first  known female playwright, and continues through major periods of dramatic history. 

The Prodigal Daughter Project was inspired by the essay "Religion's Prodigal Daughter," in an introduction to the book Spiritual Values in Shakespeare by Earnest Howse. The author states, "religion created drama, nourished it, imbued it with dignity and purpose; and drama grew up to be religion's prodigal daughter." Howse's allegation, though polemic, is compelling and thematically interesting. 

The term "prodigal" implies that drama deviated from the parental traditions of the church to recklessly pursue worldly entertainments. This is, in fact, an argument toted by many early moralists and antagonists of drama. Unlike the biblical parent, however, the church never fully welcomed its prodigal daughter home. Instead, in accordance with the state the church disowned its child and barred religious drama by instituting laws of censorship against the theatre. 

In spite of this, dramatic repertoire has historically included plays with religious themes and/or commentary. The prodigal daughter has written home, although not always in happy letters. Many of these writings have gone unopened and unstudied by the Christian church and its institutions.  Challenging Howse's statement, The Prodigal Daughter Project attempts to highlight those playwrights and their works that illustrate the theatre's enduring, although not always amiable, relationship with the Christian tradition and its church. 

In keeping with the theme set forth by the Howse essay, the scope of this study is limited to female playwrights. Female playwrights are chosen from each major dramatic period; an overview of the period, a short biography of the playwright and an essay or essays regarding a representative work are included on each project page. Whenever possible a project page will offer links to related sites and sites dedicated to other notable female and/or religious dramatists. It is hoped that the project will provoke further interest, study or discussion among visitors of this site. Please share your comments, as well as any web addresses which may provide a useful link.