The Franklin College Theatre Department will present Silent Sky written by Lauren Gunderson. The performances will take place at 8 p.m. beginning Thursday, Oct. 3, through Saturday, Oct. 5 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6. All performances will be in Théâtre Margot in the Johnson Center for Fine Arts.

Henrietta’s work at the Harvard Observatory begins in the early 1900s when she is restricted from touching a telescope or voicing her ideas. She is among a group of women “computers” who painstakingly chart the stars for a renowned male astronomer, who calculates projects in “girl hours” and dismisses the women’s insightful theories. Despite these constraints, Henrietta dedicates her free time to measuring the light and distance of stars. Silent Sky tells the true story of astronomer Henrietta Leavitt and explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women’s ideas were often dismissed or claimed by men. Henrietta and her female colleagues ultimately transformed our understanding of both the heavens and Earth.

Scott Russell, M.F.A., instructor of theatre, will direct the play. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Belmont University and his master’s in fine arts from the University of Arkansas. Russell joined the college in 2023.

The cast and crew for the production include:

Sydnee Kidwell, of Batavia, Ohio, will play the part of Henrietta Leavitt.

Grace Allen, of Greenwood, will play the part of Margaret Leavitt.

Max Pipkin, of Mooresville, will play the part of Peter Shaw.

Maggie Abshire, of Columbus, will play the part of Annie Cannon.

Emily Berger, of Franklin, will play the part of Williamina Fleming.

Emma Jones, of Greenwood, will be the assistant director and stage manager.

General admission is $12. Admission for each performance is $8 for students and seniors (55 and older). Franklin College students, faculty and staff receive free admission with a valid Franklin College ID.

To reserve tickets, email tickets@FranklinCollege.edu or call (317) 738-8029 or (800) 852-0232, ext. 8029. Please claim reservations ten minutes before the performance. The box office opens one hour before the performance.

The Johnson Center for Fine Arts is located at the corner of Branigin Blvd. And Grizzly Dr. Traveling west on State Road 44, take a left onto Forsythe St. Turn right onto Jefferson St., following the sign to the main entrance of the college. Turn left onto Branigin Blvd. The Johnson Center for Fine Arts is on the left at the second stop sign.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.