Newcastle HS performs ‘Silent Sky’ for OAP

Newcastle High School [NHS] is now known for their outstanding championship girls’ basketball program but among many other successful programs at the school the One Act Play shines as well.

NHS has had great success with the students who act, run the stage and lighting in this year’s performance of “Silent Sky.” The play was another great success as it heads toward district competition.

“Silent Sky” by Lauren Gunderson and published by Dramatists Play Service is the true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt.

The work explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific and heart-bound discoveries.

With music and math bursting forth onstage, Henrietta and her female peers change the way we understand both the heavens and Earth.

Director of the OAP Kem Forbus explained in a bit more detail about the play,. “She wasn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea,” Ms. Forbus said. “She joins a group of women computers, charting stars for renowned astronomer and in her free time she attempts to measure the lot and distance of stars and she also takes measure of her life.

“When women’s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them, Henrietta Levitz’s discovery helped change the way we understand the heavens and the earth. The journey to bring this story alive on stage has been a rewarding one.”

She said the students “worked to create a realistic, truthful, engaging story.”

“I have seen growth in every member of the cast and crew as we have worked to produce this show,” she said.

“I’m excited for an audience to see ‘Silent Sky.’ I’m hoping that they learn that they have a voice, that they have the ability to speak out and gain confidence about themselves. It’s fun to explore these different stories with students and we tend to do a lot of historical drama which will help the students learn additional things about people in our history.”