Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 7:00pm

A Special LIVE Streamed Staged Reading from the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre
SILENT SKY by Lauren Gunderson is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service and Lauren Gunderson.

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ALL VIRTUAL EVENTS made possible by

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SPONSORED BY

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PRESENTING SPONSOR

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NANCY MARINE STUDIO THEATRE SPONSOR

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Executive Director
RUFUS DE RHAM

Director of Operations
RANDALE NUNLEY

Producing Artistic Director
SHARON W. HOUK

Education Director
ISABEL CARRINGTON

Relationship Director
LESLEY BUDNY

Technical Director
WOODROW DICK

Facilities Manager
​JOHN FITCH

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CAST OF CHARACTERS

HENRIETTA LEAVITT
Lyn Nagel 

MARGARET LEAVITT
Martha Irving
 
PETER SHAW
Eric Lindblom 

WILLAMENA FLEMING
Ingrid M. Smith  

ANNIE CANNON
Rebekah Derrick 

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- INTERMISSION
There will be a brief five (5) minute intermission.  
Grab a snack or take a bathroom break.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Director
SHARON W. HOUK
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Videography
JEFFREY B. SCHLICHTER

Live-Stream Director/Engineer
WOODROW DICK

Costumes
RENEE C. PURDY

​Props
SHARON W. HOUK, STEPHEN C. HOUK, RENEE C. PURDY

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ABOUT THE SHOW

When Henrietta Leavitt begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours” and has no time for the women’s probing theories. As Henrietta, in her free time, attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love. 

The true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt 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 believe in both, and their dedication changed the way we understand both the heavens and Earth.

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WHO'S WHO

With an avowed pension and affection for period productions, REBEKAH DERRICK once again returns to the Victorian Age as the terse and politically fervent, Annie Cannon.  We last watched her dance atop chimneys and soar over London as Mary Poppins, which could only be described as a “dream role” for any leading lady. Other favored roles would be Mother in RAGTIME, Mrs. Potts in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and Gooch in MAME.  

While living in Los Angeles, Rebekah was blessed to work alongside award winning actors in various film and tv productions including Girl, Interrupted, Inspector Gadget and a guest starring role on Nikki.  After wrapping her 1st national commercial she headed back to the east coast where she became a recurrent on-air model for QVC.  After 13 years of a 24-7 shooting schedule, she took a welcomed hiatus to focus on her husband, special needs “puppy” Fynniefynn and a return to her first love, the STAGE! 

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MARTHA IRVING (Margaret Levitt) was last seen as Darlene in "The Great American Trailer Park Christmas" with the Phoenix Stage Company. Previous credits include: "The Drowsy Chaperone"- Janet Van De Graaff (The Goshen Players); "The Great American Trailer Park Musical"- Jeannie, "Godspell"- 'Day by Day', “Chicago”- Liz, “Rent”- Mrs. Cohen, "Blue's Clues"- Mailbox, ensemble: "The Wedding Singer", "The Producers", "All Shook Up" (Thomaston Opera House); "Disaster!"- Levora Verona, "The Rocky Horror Show"- Columbia, "The Fantasticks"- The Mute, "Cats"- Tantomile, "Hair"- Shelia, ensemble: "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Oklahoma", "Guys and Dolls", "Cabaret", "Beauty and the Beast", "West Side Story", "A Chorus Line" (Warner Theater). I'm over the moon to get the chance to play pretend again; thank you to Sharon and the cast for our time among the stars.

ERIC LINDBLOM (Peter Shaw) is an English teacher from Bristol. He is also the host of "Backstage" on WZBG. Eric has appeared in many Warner Theatre productions over the years, including SOMETHING ROTTEN, MARY POPPINS, and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. Eric has also appeared in several Goshen productions, including TITLE OF SHOW, IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU, and FIRST DATE.

LYN NAGEL (Henrietta Leavitt)  Broadway:  CAROUSEL (Abigail Snow); Regional Theatre:  I MARRIED WYATT EARP (Hattie Earp, World Premiere Production), ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (Annie Oakley), [title of show] (Susan), SCROOGE THE MUSICAL (Mrs. Cratchit), and IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (Mary Hatch Bailey, Virtual Staged Reading).  Past Warner Theatre Credits:  THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (Miss Mona Stangley), THE IRISH … AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY (Woman #1), MARY POPPINS (Bird Woman, Featured Dancer), THE LITTLE MERMAID (Aquata, Princess), ASSASSINS THE MUSICAL (Housewife, Ensemble), JEKYLL AND HYDE (Nellie), NEWSIES (Hannah, Bowery Beauty, Nun), A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (Patty), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Silly Girl, Napkin), RAGTIME (Bridgette, Ensemble), DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (Renee, Featured Ensemble), EVITA (Aristocrat, Featured Dancer), SOMETHING ROTTEN (Featured Tapper, Ensemble), and PETER PAN (Pirate).  Other Theatre Credits Include:  THE SECRET GARDEN (Mary Lennox), THE SEAGULL (Nina Zarachnaya), WESTSIDE STORY (Maria), YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU (Alice Sycamore), WINESBURG OHIO (Helen White, East Coast Premiere Production), and HAIR (Diane).  Film:  JOE THE KING (Jenny).  Television:  ED (Jennifer Baumgarden) and GUIDING LIGHT.  Ms. Nagel’s voice can be heard on the radio advertising for products such as Skittles and Starburst.  Locally, Ms. Nagel is a Quality Control Agent for the Philip Prata Agency of American Income Life.  For Nana and Poppop, my angels.

INGRID M. SMITH (Williamina Fleming) is delighted to be part this production of Silent Sky.  Pre-COVID she originated the role of Claire in the premiere of POTTERS WHEEL in NYC.  Some of her favorite roles include Kate in ALL MY SONS, Dottie in NOISES OFF, Annie in CALENDAR GIRLS, Mary Tyrone in LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, Cora in MORNINGS AT SEVEN, and Becky in BECKY’S NEW CAR.  Most recently she was seen as Bess in TWENTIETH CENTURY BLUES and Miss Prism in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST.  Additionally she participates in staged readings, recently including NUTS, JENNIE’S HOUSE OF JOY and SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY,  Favorite directing credits include THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST and VERONICA’S ROOM.  Ingrid attended the University of Connecticut with a concentration in acting.  Heartfelt gratitude to Chandler, Meghan, and JessaRose for their love and support and to those who encourage her to press ever onward!

LAUREN GUNDERSON is the most produced living playwright in America, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award and the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award, a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and John Gassner Award for Playwriting, and a recipient of the Mellon Foundation’s 3-Year Residency with Marin Theatre Co. She studied Southern Literature and Drama at Emory University, and Dramatic Writing at NYU’s Tisch School where she was a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. Her work has been commissioned, produced and developed at companies across the US including the Denver Center (THE BOOK OF WILL), South Coast Rep (EMILIE, SILENT SKY), The Kennedy Center (THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF DR. WONDERFUL AND HER DOG!), the O’Neill Theatre Center, Berkeley Rep, Shotgun Players, TheatreWorks, Crowded Fire, San Francisco Playhouse, Marin Theatre, Synchronicity, Olney Theatre, Geva, and more. Her work is published by Dramatists Play Service (SILENT SKY, BAUER), Playscripts (I AND YOU; EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR; and TOIL AND TROUBLE), and Samuel French (EMILIE). She is a Playwright in Residence at The Playwrights Foundation, and a proud Dramatists Guild member. She is from Atlanta, GA, and lives in San Francisco. LaurenGunderson.com and @LalaTellsAStory.

©2021. This Video recording was produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service and Lauren Gunderson. All rights reserved. This performance is authorized for non-commercial use only. By accepting this license, you agree not to authorize or permit the Video to be recorded, copied, distributed, broadcast, telecast or otherwise exploited, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter developed. 

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