University theatre company to present ‘Radium Girls’
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Huntington, Ind.-The Huntington University Theatre Company will present "Radium Girls" at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 7-8 and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 in the Studio Theatre of the Merillat Centre for the Arts. In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage-until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, "Radium Girls" traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. As the case goes on, Fryer finds herself battling not just with the U.S. Radium Corporation, but with her own family and friends, who fear that her campaign for justice will backfire.
Grace Fryer (Kristen Lynn Kohaut) ponders her lawyer's (Matthias Austin as Arthur Roeder) advice.
Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors, $6 for children 13 and younger, $5 for Huntington University students, and $9 for Huntington University faculty and staff. For tickets or more information, call the Merillat Centre for the Arts Box Office at (260) 359-4261 or log on to www.huntington.edu/mca.
The author of "Radium Girls," Dolores W. Gregory, visited Huntington University on Jan. 18-20 to attend rehearsals of her play. Gregory also presented workshops and talk-back sessions for students.
Mary Russell and D.W. Gregory
The playwright authors comedies and dramas that draw on her working-class roots. Often set in rural America, her plays explore the disconnect between the dream and reality of the American blue-collar experience. Her plays frequently present an unseen offstage character as well as the economic and political forces that shape the individuals on stage.
Her work has been presented throughout the United States and abroad including productions in Singapore, London, Madrid and Lima. In addition to writing plays, Gregory has worked as a theatre critic-most recently for the Washington Post-and as a teaching artist. She makes her home outside Washington, D.C., with her husband, Paul, a bluegrass musician. For more information, access her Web site: www.dwgregory.com.
D.W. Gregory (sitting in the chair) does an acting exercise with students (left to right) Matt Kaestner, Jon Huffman, Peter Owens, Mary Russell, Courtney Swenson, Abi Allwein (hidden) and Teresa Bower.
The cast includes the following:
Grace Fryer: Kristen Kohaut, a senior theatre performance major from Hackettstown, N.J.
Arthur Roeder: Matthias Austin, a sophomore theatre performance major from Wheaton, Ill.
Kathryn Schaub/Societywoman/Board Member/Shopgirl/Grown Harriet: Abigail Grace Allwein, a junior theatre performance major from Fort Wayne, Ind.
Irene Rudolph/Young Harriet/Board Member: Meghan McClaine, a junior theatre education major from Greencastle, Ind.
Mrs. MacNeil/Mrs. Fryer/Clerk: Teresa Bower of Fort Wayne, Ind.
Von Sochocky/Elderly Widower/Judge: Jon Huffman, a junior theatre major from Traverse City, Mich.
Lee/Drinker/Lovesick Cowboy/Male Shopper/Bailey: Glen Pearson, a freshman theatre performance major from Naperville, Ill.
Markly/Photographer: Matt Kaestner, a freshman theatre performance major from Kingston, Tenn.
Mrs. Roeder/Madame Curie/Customer/Board Member: Jenn Miller, a senior theatre and psychology double major from Berkeley, Ill.
Ms. Wiley/Mrs. Michaels: Alicia Bonham, a sophomore theatre education major from Upland, Ind.
Sob Sister: Cassandra Quinn-Dyar, a senior theatre and sociology double major from Bedford, Ind.
The crew includes the following:
Director: Kristi Shamburger, adjunct faculty
Stage Manager: Bethany Edlund, a freshman theatre performance major from Roanoke, Ind.
Assistant Stage Manager: Courtney Swenson, a freshman theatre performance from Landenberg, Pa.
Technical Director: Brad DeYoung, a senior theatre design major from Lansing, Ill.
Scenic Designers: Brad DeYoung and Kristi Shamburger
Lighting Designer: Michael Metzdorf, adjunct faculty and technical director for the Honeywell Center
Costume Designer: Bekah Posegate, a junior theatre education major from Lake Villa, Ill.
Master Electrician: Andrew Edmonds, a sophomore theatre design major from Beloit, Wis.
Assistant Master Electrician/ Board Operator: Andi Rex, a freshman instrumental music major from North Webster, Ind.
Sound Designer: Ryan Arent, a freshman theatre design major from Grand Rapids, Mich.
Props Master: Mary Russell, a theatre performance major from Columbia, Mo.
Assistant Tech Director: Nathan Martin, a freshman theatre design major from Logansport, Ind.
Costume Assistant: Samantha Freeman, a freshman theatre performance major from Portland, Ind.
Hair/Makeup Designer: Missy Waaland, a freshman theatre performance major from Findlay, Ohio
Hair/Makeup Assistant: Naomi Pandolfi, a freshman theatre performance major from Medford, N.Y.
Props Assistant: Shaelyn Russell, a freshman theatre major from Chattaroy, Wash.
Running Crew: Cassie Mansheim, a pre-med major from Burnsville, Minn.; Kari Clark, a senior theatre design major from Columbus, Ind.; and Joshua Hicks, a theatre education major from Ligonier, Ind.
