Hamilton-Gibson Productions will be holding auditions for four women to play ages 20s – 50s, and one man to play age 20s – 30s in the upcoming production of the play SILENT SKY by Lauren Gunderson. Performances will take place May 10 – 12, and May 17 – 18, 2024. The play is being directed by Jessie Thompson, who has directed past productions for Hamilton-Gibson, and is also their newly appointed Executive Director. 

SILENT SKY is a play about the adult life of Henrietta Leavitt, an astronomer who worked at the Harvard Observatory for 30 years, beginning as a volunteer in 1895. Many years before women gained the right to vote, Henrietta and her fellow women “computers” began transforming the science of astronomy. In the Harvard Observatory, Leavitt found 2,400 new variable stars and made important discoveries about their fluctuating brightness, enabling fellow scientists to map the Milky Way and beyond. This inspiring drama explores the determination, passion and sacrifice of the women who redefined our understanding of the cosmos.

Hamilton-Gibson will also collaborate with the PA Wilds Astronomy Club to offer an Open House event on Saturday, April 27 leading up to the production of SILENT SKY. This event will feature more background on Henrietta and the women astronomers of her time, and will give participants an opportunity to view the stars both in the observatory and with telescopes outside. A short scene or two from the play will be performed to give everyone a preview of this biographical, inspiring play. 

Auditions will be in the Warehouse Gallery on Friday, March 1 at 6:30pm, Saturday, March 2 at 10:30am, and Sunday, March 3 at 1:30pm. Audition information is also available at www.hamiltongibson.org/audition.html.