Don’t worry, it’s just a CCHS Drama Club play
What happens when a dream job turns into a radioactive nightmare? No, this isn’t a horror story, but the plot seems perfect for Halloween. From Nov. 3 through 5, the Cornwall High School Drama Club will present the historical drama, “Radium Girls.”
“Radium Girls” is based on true events in 1920’s New Jersey revolving around the story of three women who paint watch dials in the U.S. Radium Company Plant. They’re instructed by the factory supervisor to finely point their brushes by molding the bristles with their mouths while painting the dials, causing them to ingest the paint. Unfortunately, the women begin to notice they are experiencing health issues, some even leading to death. The company’s leaders attempt to hide this tragedy from the public and keep their employees from talking to the press, but one employee, undaunted by her former employer, fights for justice for herself and her former co-workers in the courts.
“We’ve been doing a lot of comedies in the past,” said director Anthony Ravinsky on why he chose this play. “I really believe in educational theater and giving the kids a variety of genres of shows. I was looking for more of a dramatic piece over the summer. I like the fact the casting is flexible.”
What’s unique about the casting, Ravinsky added, is some of the actors and actresses play multiple roles such as doctors and factory workers. The play is written for nine people but includes 15 parts allowing for more kids to have the opportunity to get on stage. The cast includes 19 students, plus the stage crew.
Ravinsky could only recall one other time when the performers were tasked with multiple roles and that was during the COVID-19 pandemic when “It’s a Wonderful LIfe,” was broadcast via Zoom. Three or four of the students played multiple parts and would frequently go off camera, only to come back on stage after a quick costume change.
Playing two parts requires students to take on different mannerisms and perhaps change from an Irish to British accent. Ravinsky said it’s not easy, especially when one student, who plays a reporter, exits the stage and comes back five lines later as the boyfriend.
“This is a really good opportunity to hone those acting skills,” he said. “This is why I like doing a fall non-musical because they get more acting time.”
The last show the Drama Club performed, “Anything Goes,” also took place during the 1920s, but focused more on the glamorous side of the era. While “Radium Girls” is darker, some of the same costumes were able to be used.
Another unique aspect of the show is how each scene is laid out, focusing on two storylines at once from the perspective of the factory workers and the owners. Sometimes one side of the stage will be lit while the other remains dark to separate the two. Often the scenes are interactive. For example, a doctor may be reading a document and both parties will react to that one piece of information.
Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 and 4 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 5. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors and can be purchased at the door. All performances are in the CCHS auditorium at 10 Dragon Dr., New Windsor.
Cast
Alyssa Aleman, Olivia Cushna, Ciara Kelly, Maggie Diaz, Patrick Devlin, Nick Tessin, Jacob Carter, James Lahtinen, Vivan Stephenson, Stephanie Alvarez, Josie Kilgore, Emerson Barth, Valoria Bersig, Sasha Cuthbert, Abigail Crow, Nico Sanchez, Brett Rodino, Penelope Kulic, Lucas Perez, Charlie Hanus, Maggie Ayala, and Daryanna Paulino.
Stage managers
Abby Crow and Mike Duffy
