The Department of Theatre at Hope College will present Lauren Gunderson's “Silent Sky,” on Friday-Sunday, Nov. 11-13, and Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17-19, in the main theatre of the DeWitt Student and Cultural Center.
The performances on Nov. 11, 12 and 17-19 will begin at 7:30 p.m. The performance on Sunday, Nov. 13, will be a free matinee beginning at 2 p.m.
Directed by visiting professor Rhett Luedtke, “Silent Sky” centers around real-life scientist Henrietta Leavitt and her passion for the study of astronomy. Leavitt’s studies in the early 20th century led to scientific breakthroughs that fundamentally changed humanity’s understanding of the universe and our place within it. The play highlights the tension and cohesion between belief in the theological and belief in the scientific; it concerns itself with heaven and the heavens.
In addition to Luedtke, the college’s production team includes professor Michelle Bombe, chair of the department, as costume design mentor; Eric Van Tassell, assistant professor of theatre, as lighting designer; Ken Chamberlain, assistant director of production for dance and theatre, as sound designer; staff members Stephen Krebs and Anna Hill as technical director and costume shop manager, respectively; and junior Cherokee Bauer of Holland as costume designer.
Also serving on the production team are senior Annika Dekker of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as stage manager; and sophomore Sophie Reay of Fishers, Indiana, and freshman Ava Bell of Farmington Hills, Michigan, as assistant stage managers.
The cast includes senior Kathryn Smith of Plymouth, Indiana; juniors Grant McKenzie of Western Springs, Illinois, Abigail Doonan of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Brianna Tomczak of Dexter, Michigan; and freshman Claudia Hwang of Norton Shores, Michigan.
Tickets are $10 for regular admission; $7 for senior citizens and Hope faculty and staff; and free for Hope College students and students ages 18 and under. Tickets are available at the Events and Conferences Office located in downtown Holland in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.). The ticket office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 616-395-7890. Tickets may be purchased by calling or visiting the ticket office, online at hope.edu/tickets, or in person at the performance.
Audience members who need assistance to fully enjoy any event at Hope are encouraged to contact the college’s Events and Conferences Office by emailing events@hope.edu or calling 616-395-7222 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Updates related to events are posted when available in the individual listings at hope.edu/calendar
The DeWitt Student and Cultural Center is located at 141 E. 12th St., facing Columbia Avenue between 10th and 13th Streets.