The SUNY Brockport Department of Theatre and Music Studies, in collaboration with the Fine Arts Series, presents Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson, October 2–5 in the Tower Fine Arts Center Black Box Theatre. Performances are Thursday–Saturday at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm.
Set at the turn of the 20th century, Silent Sky tells the true story of astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, whose work at the Harvard Observatory revolutionized our understanding of the universe. As one of the “computers”—women hired to chart the stars—Leavitt discovered a way to measure the distance between stars using the brightness of variable stars. Her findings, largely unrecognized in her lifetime, laid the groundwork for modern astronomy.
Playwright Lauren Gunderson brings Leavitt’s story to life, blending science and art in a compelling portrait of a woman balancing ambition, family, and love in a time when women’s contributions to science were often dismissed. The result is a moving tribute to curiosity, perseverance, and the wonder of discovery.
After the Saturday, October 4 matinee, enjoy refreshments and a panel discussion with SUNY Brockport faculty and community experts, including representatives from Physics, Psychology, Theatre, and the Strasenburgh Planetarium. Panelists will explore the play’s scientific and human themes.
Complement your experience and visit the SUNY Brockport Planetarium on October 3 from 6–7 pm for a free guided night sky tour and Messengers of Time and Space, a show highlighting modern telescopes and the excitement of astronomical exploration.
