“This play shines a light on the impact of women scientists long before they received the recognition they deserve,” said Elizabeth Replogle, who portrays Fleming. Rounding out the trio of true-life trailblazers is Williamina Fleming, a Scottish immigrant who was abandoned by her husband right after they arrived in Boston. “I hope the audience will come to appreciate these amazing women whose curiosity and determination literally changed our universe,” Ives said. Kate Ives plays Annie Cannon, the Head of Stellar Photometry at Harvard Observatory who developed the organizational system by which stars are classified. The characters in this play and the real life ‘computers’ of the Harvard Observatory may be lesser known than Hubble or Newton or Kepler, but they are no less important.” “I hope audiences are struck by the immense scientific impact that these women brought forth. “Henrietta was one of the many female ‘computers’ who worked at the Harvard College Observatory,” said Madeline Byrd, who portrays Leavitt in the ACCT production. Leavitt and her colleagues Annie Cannon and Williamina Fleming would become trailblazers in the male-dominated field of astronomy. Not to be dissuaded, Leavitt begins the process of recording the changes in Cepheid stars, a scientific discovery now known as “Leavitt’s Law.” She is denied the opportunity to use Harvard’s telescope - the Great Refractor - and will only be allowed to log stars photographed by the men of the department. The play chronicles Leavitt’s work as a human computer, mapping the stars but receiving no scientific credit. Written by Lauren Gunderson, Silent Sky is produced by Charles Dragonette and Marg Soroos and under the direction of Marzanne Claiborne. Her true story is told in the play “Silent Sky,” playing now through April 2 at Aldersgate Church Community Theater. She transcended the odds and took on the establishment of her time, making discoveries that forever changed the field of astronomy. Known as “the woman who measured the universe,” Leavitt was one of a small number of pioneering women astronomers working at Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s. “I hope the audience will come to appreciate these amazing women.”Īt the turn of the 20th century, years before women had the right to vote, Henrietta Leavitt was determined to reach for the stars through her passion for astronomy. ‘Silent Sky’ĪCCT celebrates pioneering Henrietta Leavitt. Elizabeth Replogle, Madeline Byrd, and Mic Townsend perform in the Aldersgate Church Community Theater production of Silent Sky, playing March 17 through April 2.
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