Lauren Gunderson’s Silent Sky is a moving, magical look at the story of Henrietta Leavitt, an early twentieth century astronomer whose discovery of how to effectively measure vast astronomical distances led to a shift in the understanding of the scale and nature of the universe. In early twentieth-century Wisconsin, hearing-impaired mathematician Henrietta Leavitt can’t stand not knowing where she is in the universe. When she’s recruited to the Harvard Observatory to work as a human “computer” mapping the stars, she embarks on a journey to answer that question and others: How do you balance your commitment to the heavens with your obligations here on Earth? How do you make discoveries when you’re not even allowed to touch a telescope? And what role will women play, in the lab, at the ballot box, and in society?

DIRECTOR'S NOTE
Even though Silent Sky is a play that depicts real universe-altering discoveries, as a playwright Lauren Gunderson has a gift for finding the humanity in real people from history who did extraordinary things.  So this play, like many of Lauren's works, not only illuminates people who are often left out of the telling of who we are and what we know, but also gives life to those people, in a way that reminds us that they were as human as you and I.  Skilled and driven humans for sure, but people just like you and me, whose every day work--seemingly tiny work--often behind the scenes, added up to a seismic shift for all of humanity. 

I can’t think of a better type of play to be engaging with at this time, when all of us need to be reminded and encouraged that small acts, done every day, founded in an unshakeable belief that everyone is created equal, can add up to completely transforming the world around us.

-Susan Stroupe

Perisphere Theater is a Helen Hayes Award-winning professional theater based in Montgomery County, Maryland. We produce plays that examine the notion of history, focusing especially on the events, people, and points view that often get left out.

We are supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council. We are also supported in part through the generous contributions of The Helm Foundation Inc.

Special Thanks for this production to UMBC Department of Theatre, Signature Theatre, Rorschach Theater Company and Olney Theater Center's Lighting Department.