Step into a universe of discovery and drama as Foley High School's cast and crew reach for the stars with their fall production, "Silent Sky."
Under the direction of Theatre Teacher Logan Lane, …
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Step into a universe of discovery and drama as Foley High School's cast and crew reach for the stars with their fall production, "Silent Sky."
Under the direction of Theatre Teacher Logan Lane, Foley High School's theater department is set to debut "Silent Sky," a powerful drama by Lauren Gunderson, Oct. 7-9 at the Foley Civic Center.
This historical play highlights the life and groundbreaking achievements of Henrietta Leavitt, an astronomer whose work transformed our understanding of the stars and the universe.
"These women, who were true people, in this play, you can see that they act as if they're just human beings," said Xander van den Nieuwenhof, who portrays Peter Shaw. "They don't act like historical idols or anything, but they are. They don't act like they're heroes. They act like normal people, and I feel like if you can see this play, you can find a way to maybe come see yourself in one of them and really reflect on yourself through these characters."
Set in the early 1900s, "Silent Sky" follows Henrietta Leavitt as she joins the Harvard College Observatory, hired not as an astronomer but as a "computer," tasked with performing calculations for male colleagues. Through her observations of Cepheid variable stars, Leavitt made a discovery that would later enable scientists to measure the distance to faraway galaxies. Despite her contributions, Leavitt's work often went unrecognized in her time, making her story one of perseverance and quiet triumph.
Addyson Newkirk, an 11th-grader, portrays Henrietta Leavitt. Her character's passion for the stars is tempered by the societal challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field.
"I would say one of my favorite moments is when Henrietta discovers that the brightest stars take the longest to blink," Newkirk said. "That moment when Margaret is playing the piano and she starts to figure out that something is there."
Henrietta's sister, Margaret Leavitt, is played by 10th-grader Allyson Funderburk, whose portrayal brings depth to the family dynamics that influence Henrietta's journey. Their relationship highlights the struggle between personal duty and professional ambition, a conflict many women faced at the time.
The production also features 12th-grader Tinaya Prim as Annie Jump Cannon and 11th-grader Addy Beaman as Williamina Fleming, both prominent female astronomers who significantly contributed to the field. Through their friendship and collaboration with Leavitt, the audience witnesses the resilience and brilliance of women who, despite being overlooked, shaped the future of astronomy.
Xander van den Nieuwenhof, a 12th-grader, portrays Peter Shaw, a character who represents the male-dominated scientific community at the time. Shaw's evolving relationship with Henrietta illustrates how Leavitt's work shifts perceptions.
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"I think that even though the story is focused on the sky and the stars and what's out there, the true focus of the story is what's down here," van den Nieuwenhof said. "How we can see each other in different lights and how we form relationships with each other and how those relationships grow and change over time."
The production's crew plays a vital role in bringing "Silent Sky" to life. Erin Woerner (10th grade), one of the assistant stage managers, emphasized the importance of telling this story.
"I think it's an important story to show," Woerner said. "It's important to show people achieving their dreams, especially in a time period when they weren't really able to."
Woerner is joined by Aveyon Reed (9th grade) and Levi Pigg (9th grade), with Stage Manager Rosie Overton (12th grade) overseeing the production.
However, students from the theater department are not the only ones involved in this show.
Foley High's Art Club painted the sets and created lanterns to represent the stars, while the engineering class constructed props, including a 3D-printed 1900s hearing aid. The music production class will handle the sound, ensuring that the atmosphere is just as impactful as the dialogue.
"Keep an open mind when you come to the show, because it can seem, I guess, some people think, 'Oh, this is boring. This isn't a musical. There's no fun dance numbers or singing,'" Beaman said. "But it's important, these things that we're trying to portray. It's genuinely a very interesting story."
The play delves deeply into the personal lives and relationships of these pioneering women, allowing the audience to connect with them on a human level.
Tickets for "Silent Sky" are available for $10 and can be purchased by scanning the QR code or visiting https://tinyurl.com/bdvbeyjb.
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