Silent Sky at Adelphi University from October 3 - 8

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - Sept. 22, 2017 - PRLog -- Adelphi University's talented theatre students will perform Silent Sky, a play examining the life and work of Henrietta Leavitt written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Marlee Koenigsberg. Silent Sky will run from Tuesday, October 3 through Sunday, October 8 in the Black Box Theatre in the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (PAC), 1 South Ave, Garden City, New York.

When Henrietta Leavitt begins to work at the Harvard observatory in the early 1900s, she isn't allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women "computers," charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in "girl hours" and has no time for the women's probing theories. As Henrietta, in her free time, attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and possibility of love.

The true story of 19th-century astronomer Herietta Leavitt explores a woman's place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women's ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. Social progress, like scientific progress, can be hard to see when one is trapped among earthly complications; Henrietta Leavitt and her female peers believe in both, and their dedication changed the way we understand both the heavens and Earth.

There will be a post-show discussion following the performance on Wednesday, October 4. Professor Martin Garrell (Physics) will discuss the unsung women of science, and Professor Cindy Maguire (acting associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; academic director of Levermore Global Scholars) will be discussing the importance of a STEAM education.

The 2:00 p.m. performance on Saturday, October 7 will be open captioned for deaf and hard of hearing patrons. Open captioning is made possible through Adelphi's Center for Health Innovation.

Marlee Koenigsberg is a NYC based director known for her strong visual aesthetic with a focus on inclusion in the arts. Select credits include O'Neill's & Williams' Shorts (Adelphi University), The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (New York Deaf Theatre), Tea with Vivien (United Solo), The Signal Season of Dummy Hoy (New York Deaf Theatre) and Bratton Late Night Cabaret (Chautauqua Theater Company). Marlee is an Artistic Associate for New York Deaf Theatre. She is also an Associated Member Artist of Gia Forakis & Company. Directing Fellowships include: Westport Country Playhouse 2015 and Chautauqua Theatre Company 2013. Marlee proudly earned her B.F.A. in Theatre from Adelphi University.

Lauren Gunderson is the most produced living playwright in America, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award and the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award, a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and John Gassner Award for Playwriting and a recipient of the Mellon Foundation's 3-Year Residency with Marin Theatre Co. She studied Southern Literature and Drama at Emory University, and Dramatic Writing at NYU's Tisch School where she was a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. Her work has been commissioned, produced and developed at companies across the United States. She is a Playwright in Residence at The Playwrights Foundation and a proud Dramatists Guild member. www.laurengunderson.com

The Adelphi PAC is one of Long Island's premier cultural arts venues for entertainment of all kinds. Tickets are currently on sale for $30 with discounts available to seniors, students and alumni. Information is available at the Lucia and Steven N. Fischer Box Office at 516.877.4000 or boxoffice@adelphi.edu. Regular box office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 1:00-6:00 p.m. The box office is also open two hours before most scheduled performances.

About Adelphi: A modern metropolitan university with a personalized approach to higher learning.

Adelphi University is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university offering exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training with particular strength in its Core Four—Arts and Humanities, STEM and Social Sciences, Business and Education Professions, and Health and Wellness. Adelphi is dedicated to transforming students' lives through small classes, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support student success.

Founded in Brooklyn in 1896, Adelphi is Long Island's oldest private coeducational university. Today Adelphi serves over 7,900 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, New York—just 23 miles from New York City's cultural and internship opportunities—and at dynamic learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, and online.

More than 100,000 Adelphi graduates have gained the skills to thrive professionally as active, caring citizens, making their mark on the University, their communities and the world beyond.