SUNY Oneonta Students Produce "Silent Sky" with Theatre Department

For its opening production of the 2026-2027 academic year, the SUNY Oneonta Theatre Department presented "Silent Sky" with 28 students.

Written by American playwright Lauren Gunderson, "Silent Sky" chronicles the true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, who mapped the stars at the Harvard Observatory despite facing systemic exclusion and personal sacrifice. Alongside colleagues Annie Cannon and Williamina Fleming, Leavitt turned menial, relegated tasks into a bountiful source of original discovery, uncovering a mathematical pattern that pushed human awareness beyond the boundaries of our planet.

"'Silent Sky' is a celebration of female astronomers who revolutionized our knowledge of the universe during the beginning of the 20th Century," said Professor of Acting & Directing Andrew Kahl. "More broadly, it is an acknowledgement of the vital roles played by women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and how marginalization of their contributions, and persistent obstacles to their work, have been created by misogyny, sexism and constrictive social norms. The playwright has humanized the evolution of thinking and imagination that, quite literally, drove human knowledge and awareness beyond the boundaries of this planet and changed our entire understanding of our place in the universe."

The performance, directed by Kahl, was a joint production made possible by the Theatre Department faculty and staff and students from the Mask and Hammer theatre club. Rehearsals began at the beginning of the fall 2026 semester. Students fulfil cast and crew roles, including lighting and sound design and operation, props coordination, stage management, deck and construction crew, electricians and costume stitchers.