Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson

This multi-scene begs for a fluid dreamlike quality as we move through time (1902-1918) and space.

Locations include... Outside a church in Beloit, Wisconsin as well as inside Margret’s home. Cambridge, Massachussetts in the work room at the Harvard Observatory and in Henrietta's living room. On a ocean liner!

According to Director Marc Williams, “Silent Sky” is the story of Henrietta Leavitt’s work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, where she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. In her free time, she measures the light and distance of stars, making some of the most incredible discoveries of the century. Lauren Gunderson’s captivating play is the true story of how Henrietta Leavitt changed the way we understand both the heavens and Earth.

Production Photos

All photos were taken during the final dress rehearsal.

Ground Plan and Rendering

All renderings for this production were done digitally. First, the scenery was drafted three-dimensionally in Vectorworks. Then a .jpg was exported into Adobe Sketch for the iPad. From there it was colored and rendered. Finally, it was exported to Adobe Photoshop and finishing touches were added.

Artistic and Production Team

Director Marc Williams

Scenic Design & Technical Direction Jeff McLaughlin

Costume Design Claire Abernathy

Lighting and Sound Design Caisa Sanburg

Associate Director Brianna Larson

Assistant Director David Norris

Composer Derek Jenkins

Stage Manager Lauren Wilcox

Assistant Stage Managers Abigail Gray & Cody Preston

Assistant Lighting Designer Hannah Martin

Props Master Clay Bures & Catherine Finne

Sound Board Operator Katelyn Stanton

Light Board Operator Elizabeth Escobedo

Master Electrician Griffen Birdsong

Wardrobe Crew Dejah Harris, Bryce Moore, Michaela Partridge, Claire Thomas

Backstage Crew Sam Scott

House Managers Caelon Colbert & Josh Pryor

Publicist Amy Faughn & Ally Whitaker

Costume Shop Manager Claire Abernathy

Carpenters: Griffin Birdsong, Hayden Boles, Clay Burres, Caelon Colbert, Abbey Cooper, Carson Ecker, Elizabeth Escobedo, Amy Faughn, Reilly Heffer, Courtney Light, Hannah Martin, Precious McCullogh, Christa McLean, Peyton Miller, Whitley Newman, David Norris, Michaela Partridge, Cody Preston, Joshua Pryor, Katelyn Pryor, Katelyn Stanton, Deaa Sims, Lauren Wilcox

Stitcher: Davis Campbell, Dejah Harris, Courtney Light, Precious McCollough, Bryce Moore, Whitley Neuman, Zachary Passmore, Kassidy Ratz, Hayley Scott, Sam Scott, Claire Thomas

Musicians: Emily Trapp Jenkins - Piano, Caitlyn Lyerly - Flute, Josh Taylor - Flute and Clarinet, Adam Baxter - Oboe, Caroline Cato - Oboe, Candis Sunday - Clarinet, Brett Welch - Clarinet and Bass Clarinet, Brianna Allen - Basson, Lane Hall - Basson, Harrison Bruner - Horn, Brooke Cole - Horn, Connor Scroggins - Horn, Laura Thompson - Horn Austin Merriman - trumpet, Blake White - Trumpet, Ryan Baldwin - Trombone, Sam Johnston - Trombone, Jess Crum - Tuba