Science, passion, and perseverance come alive onstage in Silent Sky at SUNY Brockport
A powerful story of discovery and determination, Lauren Gunderson’s play celebrates women in science whose brilliance has been long forgotten.
The SUNY Brockport Department of Theatre and Music Studies, in collaboration with the Fine Arts Series, invites audiences to look to the stars with its upcoming production of Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson. Performances will be held in the Tower Fine Arts Center Black Box Theatre (180 Holley Street, Brockport) October 2–5: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
At the turn of the 20th century, when women’s scientific contributions were overlooked and limited, astronomer Henrietta Leavitt changed the way we understand the universe. Working at the Harvard Observatory as one of the so-called “computers” – a team of women hired to chart the stars – Leavitt discovered a method to measure the distance between stars by studying the brightness of variable stars. Her breakthrough allowed scientists to determine that the universe was far larger than anyone had imagined.
Despite her groundbreaking discoveries, Leavitt received little recognition during her lifetime. Lauren Gunderson’s Silent Sky reclaims her story, celebrating her brilliance while also exploring the challenges she faced as a woman balancing career, family, love, and societal expectations. The play is both historically illuminating and deeply human, reminding audiences of the perseverance and wonder that drive scientific and artistic discovery alike.
Following the Saturday, October 4 matinee, audiences are invited to enjoy refreshments and a panel discussion featuring SUNY Brockport faculty and community experts, including representatives from the Physics, Psychology, and Theatre departments and the Strasenburgh Planetarium. Panelists will discuss the scientific, artistic, and human themes explored in the play, offering perspectives that bridge disciplines and spark conversation.
At its heart, Silent Sky is not only about one woman’s place in the stars – it’s about the timeless drive to ask questions, push boundaries, and see the world in new ways. For today’s students and audiences alike, Henrietta Leavitt’s story is a reminder that curiosity and perseverance can change the way we understand our universe – and ourselves.
Tickets are $20 for the general public, $15 for SUNY Brockport faculty/staff/alumni, $9 for students, and are available online at FineArtsTix.brockport.edu, by phone at 585-395-2787, or in person at the Tower Fine Arts Center box office. Hours are updated on the website.
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