SILENT SKY written by Lauren Gunderson
Running October 2 – 12, 2019
The true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson, 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 believed in both, and their dedication has changed the way we understand both the heavens and the Earth.
Silent sky is a play about pursuing and living one’s passion. It centres around Henrietta Swan Leavitt’s love affair with the wonder of the vast sky, filled with countless galaxies. Throughout the play, Lauren Gunderson touches upon several age old struggles that mark our human history: the compelling debate of life’s meaning answered through science or religion; the question of a woman’s value in intellectual forums; the conflict of pursuing a career instead of establishing a family.The audience is enveloped in a story of Henrietta Leavitt’s pursuit to know more about our existence. As we witness her insatiable thirst for profound knowledge, and her willingness to sacrifice comfort or acceptable societal norms in order to find answers, we are inspired to consider the importance of following our own passions and facing challenges with determined perseverance. ~Kim Mattice Wanat—Director
Don’t miss these special nights during the run of Silent Sky at Walterdale Theatre:
Free student preview: Tuesday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m. (based on availability. With valid student ID.)
Opening night: Wednesday, October 2 at 8:00 p.m., post-show reception to follow
Two-for-one tickets (at the door): Thursday, October 3 at 8:00 p.m.
Pay-what-you-can performance (at the door): Tuesday, October 8 at 8:00 p.m.
Closing night: Saturday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets $20 (adult), $18 (seniors 55+)
At the door or through https://www.tixonthesquare.ca/events/2019/silent-sky/
For at the door tickets, the Walterdale box office open 1-hour before show time.
For at the door tickets, the Walterdale box office open 1-hour before show time.
CAST
Henrietta – LAUREN HUGHES
Annie — SAMANTHA WOOLSEY
Margaret — JOY VAN DE LIGT
Williamina — SUSANNE RITCHIE
Peter Shaw — MATT MIHILEWICZ
CREATIVE TEAM
Director – Kim Mattice Wanat
Props Master — DEBBIE TYSON
Assistant Director — ANIKA PLITT
Assistant Stage Manager — ANDREA HANDEL
Stage Manager — SAM KENNEDY
Accent Coach — MOIRA WALKER
Master Builder — RICHARD HATFIELD
Production Manager — JACKIE LOTERY
Costume Design — MEGAN RETI
Lighting Op. — DAVID KING
Set and Lighting Designer — BEYATA HACKBORN
Some notes about the playwright:
Lauren Gunderson was named the most produced playwright in America by American Theatre Magazine in 2017. She co-authored the play Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley with Margot Melcon, which received a 3-way world premiere in 2016. Lauren Gunderson is a playwright, screenwriter and short story author from Atlanta, GA. She received her BA in English/Creative Writing at Emory University, and her MFA in Dramatic Writing at NYU Tisch, where she was also a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship.
About Walterdale Theatre
Walterdale Theatre, founded in 1958, is one of Western Canada’s oldest amateur theatre groups. With the exception of a paid part-time Administrator, Walterdale Theatre is operated entirely by volunteers with a love of theatre; members of any age and background have the unique opportunity to participate in all aspects of live theatre.
Walterdale website http://walterdaletheatre.com/the-2019-20-season/silent-sky/
For Silent Sky Tickets visit https://www.tixonthesquare.ca/events/2019/silent-sky/
Visit and share on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/2482537208469108/
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For Silent Sky Tickets visit https://www.tixonthesquare.ca/events/2019/silent-sky/
Visit and share on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/2482537208469108/
Visit and share on instagram https://www.instagram.com/waltertheghost
