NAU Theatre produces ‘Silent Sky’—a play about women in astronomy

Henrietta Leavitt

The NAU Department of Theatre is producing Silent Sky, a play about Henrietta Leavitt—the scientist who helped prove the universe existed beyond the Milky Way Galaxy.

Written by emerging San Francisco playwright Lauren Gunderson, Silent Sky tells the story of how Leavitt and her female peers changed the way we understand both the heavens and the Earth.

“The play 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,” said director Robert Yowell. “Social progress, like scientific progress, can be hard to see when one is trapped among earthly complications.”

More than 25 NAU students will play a part in the show’s production, working on lighting, sound, props, costumes and more. The cast includes four women and one man. Innovative stage design is provided by Naoko Skala, NAU’s scene designer.

Silent Sky will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, 25 and March 1-4, and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 26 and March 5 in the Clifford E. White Theater in the Performing and Fine Arts Building on NAU’s Flagstaff campus.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and NAU employees and $8 for students and children. For tickets go to NAU’s Central Ticket Office or call 928-523-5661. Group discounts are available. Non-weekend community parking options can be found at nau.edu/guest.

NAU Communications