The effects of radium poisoning begin to take their toll, and the women of the Radium Dial Company consider their future over a friendly game of cards. Pictured left to right: Grace Michel, as Charlotte, Triniece Clegg, as Pearl, Claire Koosa, as Catherine, and Madison McKinney, as Frances. (Vana Trudeau)
By Jessica Lynch
“These Shining Lives” to make its debut at the Tilden Arts Center on Nov 6. The stage production, set in the 1920s, is based on the true story of four women who worked at the Radium Dial Company painting watch dials with radioactive paint. The radioactive paint not only made the watches glow, but also the women. After the women fall ill with a sickness that, unsurprisingly, was caused by their work with the radioactive paint, the play follows them through their struggles with the sickness and their fight for justice against the Radium Dial Company.
Vana Trudeau, 4Cs theater coordinator and professor, is directing the production. Trudeau said she chose this particular play due to its theme.
“I chose ‘These Shining Lives’ because it is a beautiful story of friendship and of a group of women finding their voice. This is a theme with the three shows we are producing this year: ‘These Shining Lives,’ ‘for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf’ by Ntozake Shange, and ‘Cry-baby’ by John Watters.”
Trudeau notes that although the historical events the play depicts are sad, it’s the women’s friendship and self-realization about how they are being treated that makes the production worthwhile. Trudeau also noted that even though the play is set 100 years ago, it’s still relevant today.
“Work of all kinds can be liberating, as it was for these women, but it can also be de-humanizing when workers are treated as expendable resources. Even today, as we have conversations about the minimum wage, about labor protections and workplace safety, we owe a lot of thanks to these women for being early advocates for worker rights.”
Grace Michel who plays Charlotte, one of the main characters, has a similar sentiment.
“Students should consider seeing our show because this is a story that isn’t often told in schools. More importantly, it highlights the strengths of these women instead of painting them as only victims.”
Michel describes her character as “big-mouthed, witty and sometimes inappropriate,” but she laments that Charlotte is also a hard worker who cares more than she lets on.
Triniece Clegg plays Pearl, another main character in the group of women. Clegg describes her character as the “comedic relief” of the play.
“Pearl is complete sunshine! She’s the comedic relief and I believe she’s there to bring comfort when people’s spirits are low. Her jokes are iconic; her innocence and playfulness is something I think a lot of audience members can appreciate!”
Clegg enjoys “the energy the play gives” and the opportunity to participate in a realistic play.
“It’s hard to explain, but long story short, I enjoy the overall experience of being in a play that was based on true events. The realism makes it fun!”
“These Shining Lives” will be at the Tilden Performing Arts Center Studio Thursdays through Sundays from Nov. 6 to 22. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Matinee shows will run on Saturdays and start at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at https://tildenartscenter.ludus.com/show_page.php?show_id=200496373. Students who attend on opening night and buy tickets using their 4Cs email account will get a free ticket to the show.
