Runway Theatre spotlights women in STEM with “Silent Sky”

Like far too many accomplished women of her time, astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt’s contributions went largely unnoticed during her life. As part of the Harvard College Observatory in the early 1900s, Leavitt’s research on variable stars “made it possible, for the first time, to calculate their distance from Earth,” according to an article by Gael Mariani for the American Association of Variable Star Observers. The ability to estimate the distance between stars and galaxies eventually helped Edwin Hubble discover that the universe is expanding and continues to aid astronomers today.

Sadly, Leavitt received little recognition for her influential work during her lifetime, with many people outside of the scientific community still unfamiliar with her to this day. The latest show at Grapevine’s Runway Theatre, “Silent Sky,” aims to change that.

Running from August 2-18, “Silent Sky” is based on Leavitt’s life and career working under the astronomer Dr. Edward Pickering at Harvard. Leavitt was part of “Pickering’s Harem,” the term used at the time for the female “computers” who cataloged and reported data for him. As the disrespectful moniker for his staff might suggest, the female astronomers working under Pickering received little public recognition for their work despite their important research contributions and influential discoveries. The show explores both Leavitt’s work at the observatory and her personal relationships outside of it.

Director Amy Jackson calls “Silent Sky” “a beautiful story about a woman who really defied what all of those social norms (said) she was supposed to be at the turn of the century and instead chased after a passion that turned out to affect the entire world.”

Jackson explains that the show originally began as part of the 2019-2020 season at Runway Theatre. The COVID-19 pandemic canceled those plans, however. “Runway has long loved this script,” Jackson says, noting that the theater re-extended an offer for her to direct the show as soon as it became the finale for its 39th season.

Written by Lauren Gunderson, “Silent Sky” is a historical drama with sharp wit and timing. It’s scientific without becoming inaccessible. Beyond any other descriptors, Jackson refers to it simply as an “important story.”

“Our goal is very much honest storytelling,” Emilie Buske-Ferman, who plays Leavitt says. That goal extends into everything from the show’s authentic period costuming by Logan Coley Broker to the research the actors did on Leavitt and her colleagues at Harvard.

Buske-Ferman, describes combing through different online databases to learn more about her role and Leavitt’s historical significance. As a librarian at Alma Martinez Intermediate School in Mansfield, she singled out biographical picture books that fellow cast member Rae Harvill (Williamina Flemming) found as becoming particularly valuable resources to her.

She notes that Leavitt’s sister in “Silent Sky,” Margaret (Hanna Destiny Lynn), is actually an amalgamation of the character’s real-life sisters and acts as a way for the show to easily explain some of its more scientific and mathematical plot points. In addition, lighting changes will signal the fantasy that comes through in the show’s romantic scenes.

For Buske-Ferman, “Silent Sky” is a production that involves her entire family. Her husband, Jeremy, is the show’s lighting designer, and her two daughters, Cecily and Rosalind, are working as a costuming assistant and projectors operator respectively. A longtime Runway Theatre supporter and collaborator, Buske-Ferman herself joined the “Silent Sky” cast after a 13-year hiatus from acting onstage. “Runway is very dear to me,” Buske-Ferman says, adding that she still served as a lighting designer during her acting hiatus and went to see other productions at the theater.

Since the show’s original announcement prior to the pandemic, Jackson says she encouraged Buske-Ferman to audition for a stage role for “Silent Sky.” “It’s been wonderful to be back onstage,” Buske-Ferman says of playing Leavitt.

Buske-Ferman and Jackson highlight the writing of the script as bringing to life each of the characters in an entertaining and engaging fashion. “You almost do forget that you’re acting onstage because it’s such brilliant writing,” Buske-Ferman says.

Jackson feels that the show’s accessible and beautiful storytelling makes it relatable for all audiences, even those without an interest in science. “If you’re looking for something that’s witty, quick, fun and funny, it’s all there,” Jackson says. “It’s also this really beautiful, important story about someone who’s willing to set aside something important, a traditional life in her instance, to really reach for something greater.”

Jackson hopes Runway Theatre audiences leave the show with a sense of empowerment and “the realization that everyone around them has that same spark inside of them” that Leavitt had. Jackson and Buske-Ferman also hope audiences will look to help the next generation find that sense of empowerment through their “Neubla and Novels Book Drive.”

Organized by the cast and crew of “Silent Sky,” the drive looks to provide new books for local middle schools like Alma Martinez Intermediate School. According to Jackson, Buske-Ferman will collect the books and distribute them to different libraries in multiple districts, primarily her own in Mansfield.

Buske-Ferman often organizes book drives around major events in her life, which helped inspire the cast and crew to start their own drive. Jackson says she wants children to have access to books so they can pursue their passions and dreams, much like Leavitt. “We want that for the next generation,” Jackson says.

The Runway Theatre production of “Silent Sky” will run from August 2-18. For more information, including how to purchase tickets, visit https://www.runwaytheatre.com/.

To learn more about the “Nebula and Novels Book Drive,” which runs independently of the theater, refer to the flyer below. The Collin-Denton Spotlighter will be helping independently promote the drive during the show’s run. These interviews have been edited for clarity.