Charles City High School Drama to present ‘Radium Girls’ March 31, April 1

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City High School Drama Department will be performing “Radium Girls” as its spring play the end of next week.

The show is a theatrical retelling of the life of Grace Fryer, a 1920s watch dial painter whose legal case brought to light the dangers of working with radioactive material. A light-hearted comedy it isn’t.

“This show is probably the most dramatic play I have directed,” said director Michelle Grob. “We are asking some of our actors to delve really deep into the emotions of their characters, and there is the extra burden that they are portraying real people and we want to do justice to each of them and their story.”

The play will feature Harper McInroy as Grace Fryer with a supporting cast of Sophia Jensen, Teagan Prigge, Savannah Baldus, Sydney Hinz, Kaity Heckers, Elise White, Jasmine Troge, Gracie Opp, Kayla Streich, Ali Blickenderfer, Destiny Squier, Isabella Knecht, Alexia Clark, Annabel McDonald, Anders Haglund, Jacob Jones, DaShawn Griffin, Blake Hoeft, Andrew White, and Jacob Diers.

Behind the scenes, stage manager Hannah Devore will make sure the show is run smoothly. Under her will be training stage manager Addison Tracy, assistant stage manager Kirah Vickerman, prop master Jadince Schuttler, Katie Prichard on lights, Zadie Pittman on sound, Jenna Aikey training for sound, and a stage crew of Natalie Keyes and Blake Dean.

Without access to the old middle school auditorium, the drama department has been looking for outside venues to perform. The last play was performed at the Charles Theatre, but this time the students will be presenting at Trinity Methodist Church.

“This production has been a challenge with our new venue,” said director Grob. “We only have eight practices at the church before we perform. It’s hard to practice in one location for several weeks and then jump to a new place for only a few practices.”

Doors will open for the play at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, March 31, for the 7 p.m.performance. A matinee will follow on Saturday, April 1, at 2 p.m.