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SETTINGS:

1900-1920.

Star field.

The Harvard Observatory 2nd-floor offices.

Leavitt home, Wisconsin.

Ocean Liner in the Atlantic.

Henrietta's home, Cambridge, MA.

HISTORICAL NOTE:

This play is a work of historical fiction (meaning many elements are rooted in fact but highly dramatized/fictionalized), but Henrietta Swan Leavitt was a real astronomer whose theory ("Henrietta's Law") was key in our ability to measure distance in the universe. We think that's pretty cool and made this a story worth telling.

DIRECTOR'S NOTE:

Thanks so much for attending tonight’s production. This cast, crew and an army of volunteers have worked tirelessly to produce the show you’re seeing tonight, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the  result!

This is a one-act competition cutting of Silent Sky, which means it’s a condensed version of the original script. We will be competing in PISD’s One-Act Play competition on Monday.

“What is the one-act competition?” you might be asking yourself. It’s a contest where PISD 9/10 high schools present an 18-40 minute cutting of a play that is adjudicated by a panel of 3 judges (although only one judge this year, due to COVID restrictions), who award individual acting awards and technical awards, as well as selecting a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place production. Before the awards are announced, the judges give an oral critique to each of the schools. The contest is modeled after the statewide UIL High School OAP Contest, and all rules and regulations set forth by UIL are observed at the district competition.

This year is unique in that we will have "home court advantage" since the judge will travel to each campus to evaluate shows, in keeping with COVID protocols, instead of us having to travel to a different contest site.

This is an excellent training ground for serious theatre students who plan to take part in UIL OAP once they reach Senior High School. They are able to learn the rules and practices they will need for future competitions. It’s also a great way for us to showcase the immense amount of talent we have at VHS in a friendly, competitive environment.

We’re glad you’re here! Thanks again for coming, and enjoy the show!