Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Muskegon Community College’s Center for Theater will present Silent Sky, a drama by one of the country’s leading contemporary playwrights, Lauren Gunderson, November 5-8, 2026. Tickets are available for purchase at https://mccoverbrooktheater.ludus.com/index.php

The production tells the true story of a pioneering woman astronomer whose discoveries helped transform humanity’s understanding of the universe.

Set in the early 1900s, Silent Sky follows Henrietta Leavitt (played by MCC student Faith Fancher,) as she leaves her family behind to work at the Harvard Observatory. There, women were tasked with cataloging stars but were denied the opportunity to make discoveries of their own. Her work ultimately leads to a breakthrough that gives astronomers a way to measure vast distances between stars and galaxies, changing how scientists understand the universe.

“Lauren Gunderson is one of the most produced playwrights in the country right now, and Silent Sky is a wonderful example of her ability to bring history, science and the human experience together on stage,” said Director and Muskegon Community College (MCC) Theater Faculty Annelise Dickinson. “It is also a joy to see a production centered around powerful women, who for too long have gone unnoticed despite playing an essential role in advancing our understanding of the world around us.”

Blending scientific discovery with humor, heart and humanity, Silent Sky explores perseverance, curiosity, family and the often-overlooked contributions of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The play celebrates Leavitt’s achievements while examining the barriers women faced in a field that did not always recognize their talents or potential. View a full cast and crew list below.

• Who: Muskegon Community College Center for Theater presents Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson.
• What: A drama based on pioneering astronomer Henrietta Leavitt and the contributions of women in science.
• Where: Muskegon Community College Center for Theater, 221 S. Quarterline Road, Muskegon.
• When: Nov. 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 8 at 3 p.m., 2026.
• Tickets: https://mccoverbrooktheater.ludus.com/index.php

Character	First Name	Last Name	Pronouns
Henrietta Leavitt	Faith	Fancher	She/They
Margaret Leavitt	Emily	Sanders	She/Her
Williamina Fleming	Shar	White	She/Her
Annie Jump Cannon	Madalyn	Simpson	She/They
Peter Shaw	Tyler	Ellis	He/Him
U/S Margaret and Annie	Ryker	Phelps	He/Him

Role	First Name	Last Name	Pronouns
Stage Manager	Tina	Koratich	She/Her
Assistant Stage Manager	Grace	Thompsen	She/Her
Assistant Director	Lizzie	Frietsch	She/Her