Silent Sky
by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Karin Bowersock
by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Karin Bowersock
Bristol Valley Theatre 151 S Main St. Naples, NY 14512 August 25th, 2017 - September 3rd, 2017 Scenic Design: Justin and Christopher Swader Costume Design: Pam Freicht Lighting Design: Mary Ellen Stebbins Sound Design and Original Music: Brandon Reed |
Photos taken courtesy of Rich Miller.
|
About The Play
Silent Sky tells the true story of Henrietta Leavitt, the astronomer ahead of her time. It is 1900, and Henrietta has the opportunity to work at Harvard University as a human computer, one of Dr. Edward Pickering’s “harem,” mapping the stars but receiving no scientific credit. When Henrietta arrives, she is eager to use Harvard’s telescope - the Great Refractor - but is told that she will not be able to do any sort of astronomical discovery as she will only log the stars photographed by the men of the department. However, Henrietta will not be dissuaded, and begins the process of recording the changes in Cepheid stars - a scientific discovery that has profound and lasting impact on the field of astronomy. During her inquiry, Henrietta’s relationships strain under her obsessive work ethic; her sister Margaret, her love interest Peter Shaw, and her colleagues Annie Cannon and Williamina Fleming all find themselves pushed aside in favor of a great cosmic mystery. Silent Sky is the poignant tale of a woman’s dedication to the stars, and the human touch that makes life under the vast sky beautiful and timeless.
The goal of the sound design and music for this show was to highlight the mystical and ethereal journey that Henrietta goes on, but also explore the complex feelings she goes through in life. I used a predominately piano based score to focus on the emotional impact of the show, but I also layered in synths and aural textures to fill out the score, but also provide that space quality that's reflected in the show. The soundscapes helped us connect to the location of where the scenes took place, but also provide passage of time. Often I layered the music with the sound design to create a more meaningful journey for both the story and the audience.
The goal of the sound design and music for this show was to highlight the mystical and ethereal journey that Henrietta goes on, but also explore the complex feelings she goes through in life. I used a predominately piano based score to focus on the emotional impact of the show, but I also layered in synths and aural textures to fill out the score, but also provide that space quality that's reflected in the show. The soundscapes helped us connect to the location of where the scenes took place, but also provide passage of time. Often I layered the music with the sound design to create a more meaningful journey for both the story and the audience.
The Sound Design
|
Henrietta during her time at the Harvard Observatory begins to fall for a man in charge of overseeing her work named Peter. One night during her after hours research, Peter and her's relationship begins to blossom. They day dream of dancing on an ocean liner together abandoning their work life, before returning back to reality.
|
|
|
|