Enloe Theater’s Newest Production
On Nov. 14, Enloe will be opening this year’s fall play, Radium Girls.
The play is based on a real story of factory workers for the United States Radium Corporation in the early 1920s, who contracted fatal radium poisoning while painting watch faces with luminous paint. These women went on to sue their employers for endangerment, and the uphill legal battle became a media spectacle.
Following a worker named Grace Fryer, the play showcases the girls’ fight for legal justice, and the interpersonal conflicts that arose from the fight. Fast paced, witty, and intimate, Radium Girls is an account of this pivotal moment in the rights of female workers, which has made it a popular choice for local and high school theater productions, having been performed over 1,800 times since it was written in 2003.
Cast and Crew
Enloe’s actors and tech crew are putting their own unique charm into the production. Using elaborate sets and makeup, they are bringing the horrors of the story to life.
Leading actress Avery Seppala, who plays the role of Grace Fryer, says that her favorite part of the production is the lively and talented cast and crew who have been working to bring the production to stage.
“Every single cast member in this show is so extremely talented, funny, and kind,” says Seppala, “I’ve really enjoyed getting to meet new people, and form bonds and friendships I never would have if it weren’t for this opportunity.”
Seppala also gushed about the Tech Theater department; specifically, the makeup and special effects. “I genuinely thought someone had a nasty gash in their arm, but it turned out to just be the makeup!”
The real world radium girls suffered incredible injuries, often their jaws ended up covered in radium induced gashes, even to the point of their jaws nearly completely lacking flesh. Sauryna Guilford, one of the heads of hair and makeup for the production, has been working hard to create convincing effects.
“We would get in the makeup room, and create this look book with a bunch of pictures of concept designs. We even found links to behind the scenes makeup videos from one of the professional productions of Radium Girls,” says Guilford.
While the specifics of the looks can’t be leaked in full, Guilford assures that there are creative and spectacular makeup effects in store for the stage.
Enloe’s Theater Department is among the best in the area, and Radium Girls is sure to be another hit to add to our repertoire, thanks to the many talented students involved.
Come See the Show!
Enloe’s production of Radium Girls will be opening Nov. 14 at 7:00 p.m, and will have two additional performances on Nov. 15 and 16, including a matinee on Nov. 16 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/enloeRG24, costing $10 for students and $12 for adults.
To those coming to see the show, Avery Seppala says, “I’m super excited for you to see it! Everyone has worked so hard to put it together, and we really appreciate any and all support for the Enloe Theater Department!”
