AU theatre performing “Silent Sky” Oct. 23-26

ASHLAND, Ohio – The Ashland University Department of Theatre will present “Silent Sky,” an inspiring drama of the true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, from Thursday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Studio Theatre in the Center for the Arts. The Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday’s matinee is at 2 p.m.

Following Sunday’s performance, there will be a Women in Science panel discussion as part of AU’s College of Arts and Sciences’ Symposium Against Indifference series. This year’s theme is “Thinking About Intelligence: Human and Artificial.”

“Silent Sky” is by modern American playwright Lauren Granderson and this production is being directed by Teresa Durbin-Ames, associate professor of theatre. It explores a woman’s place during a time of immense scientific and heart-bound discoveries, according to the author’s website.

Leavitt worked at the Harvard College Observatory in the early 1900s, but she wasn’t permitted to operate a telescope or express an original thought. She and a group of women were tasked with measuring photographic plates and this work led her to discover how to effectively measure vast astronomical distances, resulting in a major shift in the understanding of the scale and nature of the universe. Her dedication to science was complicated by family obligations, love and hearing loss.

Playing the role of Henrietta Leavitt is Kathryn Shoaff, while other student cast members include Emilee Fletcher as Margaret Leavitt (Henrietta’s sister), Keever Whitehead as Peter Shaw, Hannah Miller as Annie Cannon and Abigail Mozina as Willamina Fleming. The stage managers are Selah Rush and Isla Donley.

Tickets can be purchased from the AU Campus Store in person or online at ashland.edu/performing-arts-tickets. They will not be available for purchase at the door. Tickets are $2 for AU students, $5 for non-AU students and $10 for adults, faculty/staff and senior citizens.

For more information, contact Teresa Durbin-Ames at tdurbin@ashland.edu.