Silent Sky
by Lauren Gunderson
Onstage: October 2 – 12, 2019
Director: Kim Mattice-Wanat
Assistant Director: Anika Plitt
Audition Location: Walterdale Theatre
Audition Dates: July 7th, 5:30 – 9 p.m. & July 8th 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Callbacks: Sunday, July 14, noon – 6 p.m.
Play Synopsis
When Henrietta Leavitt begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours” and has no time for the women’s probing theories. As Henrietta, in her free time, attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love. The true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women’s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. Social progress, like scientific progress, can be hard to see when one is trapped among earthly complications; Henrietta Leavitt and her female peers believe in both, and their dedication changed the way we understand both the heavens and Earth.
Casting Requirements
Characters
- Henrietta Leavitt – early 30’s brilliant, meticulous,excited. Almost always wearing a hearing aid. A human computer for Harvard.
- Margaret Leavitt – early 30’s homebody, creative, sweet, a musician. Henrietta’s sister. She must be able to play the piano and sing.
- Peter Shaw – 30’s, head astronomer apprentice, reserved, polite
- Annie Cannon – late 30’s , the leader, terse and sure, grows into a firebrand. One of the “computers” at Harvard
- Williamina Fleming – late 30s to early 50s. Scottish, human computer at Harvard, smart as a whip, fun loving, vivacious. Those auditioning for Williamina will need to present the sides in a Scottish accent.
Audition Requirements:
- Please prepare a short contemporary monologue no more than 3 minutes length.
- Please prepare to perform a cold-reading from provided sides.
Please bring the following to the Audition:
• Headshot
• Theatrical Resume
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
Any rehearsal conflicts must be noted at the time of the audition.
Three full days of “book work” between the dates Aug 12-28 will be scheduled – Based upon availability of all five cast members.
First three weeks of September: Sept 2-22
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings: 6:00-10:00 pm
Saturdays 12:00-6:00 pm
Fourth week of September (Sept 23-30)
Tuesday through to Friday: 6:00-10:00 pm
Saturday, Sept 28. 12:00 – 6:00 pm and
Sunday, Sept 29 12:00-6:00 pm
Off Monday Sept 30
Tuesday Oct 1 preview
Oct 2-10 – performance run
Sign up for auditions by emailing wanatkm@shaw.ca and stating “Silent Sky Auditions” in the subject line.
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Walterdale Theatre is also committed to inclusive casting. Artists who are members of under-represented communities are greatly encouraged to audition
Walterdale Theatre is a volunteer organization and cannot engage Equity performers.
