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Inspired by the true story of astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, \u201cSilent Sky\u201d explores a society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women\u2019s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them.<\/p><\/div>\n
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If you go<\/h3>\n
What:<\/strong> “Silent Sky” by Lauren Gunderson<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Nov. 14-17 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Dorothy Hackett Ward Theater, Fine Arts Center<\/p>\n Admission:<\/strong> $12 adults; $10 faculty, staff, students and seniors<\/p>\n Tickets:<\/strong> Purchase tickets online here<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n This month, UTC Theatre Company presents Lauren Gunderson\u2019s \u201cSilent Sky,\u201d a play inspired by the women \u201ccomputers\u201d of Harvard College Observatory at the turn of the 20th century.<\/p>\n It focuses on astronomer Henrietta Leavitt. Although the characters and their work are real, the play is not biographical. Leavitt and her co-workers contributed to the foundation of today\u2019s astronomy, but very few know their names.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s just a footnote,\u201d says Director Gaye Jeffers.<\/p>\n Leavitt and her female co-workers were vital to the Harvard College Observatory, yet they were not allowed to use the telescope. Instead, they painstakingly studied glass plates with photographic images of tiny slices of the sky, mapping and measuring the heavens.<\/p>\n Leavitt\u2019s work on measuring the universe \u201cis astounding,\u201d Jeffers says. \u201cThe fact that we don\u2019t know about her kind of breaks my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n The theatrical version of Leavitt might be fictional, but the character\u2019s determination is true to the real woman, as the character tries to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love.<\/p>\n What:<\/strong> \u201cElemeno Pea\u201d by Molly Smith Metzler<\/p>\n Details:<\/strong> Worlds collide and sisters square off in this keenly observed comedy about ambition, regret and the choices that shape who we become. Intended for mature audiences.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Feb. 13-17, 2018<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Dorothy Hackett Ward Theater, Fine Arts Center<\/p>\n Tickets: <\/strong>Purchase tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What:<\/strong> \u201cChicago the Musical\u201d by Kander and Ebb<\/p>\n Details:<\/strong> In Roaring 20s Chicago, Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband Amos to take the rap … until he finds out he\u2019s been duped and turns on Roxie.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> April 17-21, 2018<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Dorothy Hackett Ward Theater, Fine Arts Center<\/p>\n Tickets: <\/strong>Purchase tickets here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Taking the stage as Leavitt is Cierra Dolata, who says she admires the character\u2019s determination and humility.<\/p>\n \u201cShe will fight anything and anybody to get to the place that she believes is where she needs to be and where she’s called to be. But she has this way about her that is still humble.\u201d Dolata explains.<\/p>\n \u201cI really hope people leave thinking about their place in the universe,\u201d Jeffers says. \u201cThe play talks a lot about the presence of what’s out there. And there’s discussions of belief systems in the play that encourage people to think about what does happen when we die. What is out there?<\/p>\n \u201cI hope that people will think about themselves in those terms, that there will be some sense of legacy,\u201d she continues. \u201cWhen work is unfinished, your work can continue to be a legacy of some sort. Not that it has to be famous or you have to be notorious. But your importance on the planet\u2014you might only be important to one person\u2014and that’s enough.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Atlanta native Lauren Gunderson wrote \u201cSilent Sky\u201d in 2011. She was recently named America\u2019s most produced playwright by American Theatre<\/em><\/a>. Read more about Gunderson in The New Yorker\u2019s \u201cYou\u2019ve Probably Never Heard of America\u2019s Most Popular Playwright,\u201d here.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The company of Silent Sky<\/em> includes: Maya Abram (Annie Jump Cannon), Samantha Burns (Williamina Fleming), Cierra Dolata (Henrietta Leavitt), Rachel Shannon (Margaret), and Nick Sterling (Peter Shaw). Stage manager is Skylar Ramsey with Claire Johnson as the assistant stage manager.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nMark your calendar for these upcoming UTC Theatre Co. Productions:<\/h4>\n
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The Playwright<\/h4>\n
Cast, Production Staff and Crew<\/h4>\n
\nThe creative team includes: Gaye Jeffers (director and sound design), Adam Miecielica (set design), Kimberly Davis (costume design), Alex Miller-Long (lighting design), and John R. Burgess (technical director).<\/p>\n