Lincoln East High School's home of Spartan news

The Oracle

Lincoln East High School's home of Spartan news

The Oracle

Lincoln East High School's home of Spartan news

The Oracle

Behind the Scenes of Radium Girls

Behind+the+Scenes+of+Radium+Girls

“It was more like art, painting those dials. We were artists.”

– Radium Girls

 

“Radium Girls”, a play focusing on the effects of radiation poisoning of watch 1920 painters, is the newest edition to East Theatre’s list of successful productions. Presented on September 17th through the 19th, “Radium Girls”, showed the hard work of both, actors and techies. After months of effort, we are now able to hear some of their opinions and experiences in and outside of the East Theatre’s family.

 

Madeline Schmidt (Actor)

Starting us off is Madeline Schmidt, who took on the role of “Court”, the judge of “Radium Girls.” Ever since she was young, Schmit had a passion for acting. After years of participating in the Lincoln Theatre community, Schmit took stage at East.

“It’s a very interesting, but sad play,.” Schmidt explained. “Though the cast and crew are like one big family and that was fun!”

 

Ellie Woody (Actor)

Fellow actress, Ellie Woody shared similar thoughts on her own experiences. Though only have acted for two years, Woody has also participated in the Lincoln’s community- through the Playhouse and seemed to have enjoyed the loving atmosphere experienced between the Techies and Actors at East.

Though she expressed an interest in becoming a Techie, Woody loves being in “a different mindset as an actor” and the overall “artistic expression of acting”.

 

Clair Weakly (Techie)

On the opposite side of the Theatre spectrum is Claire Weakly, who was an assistant stage manager of “Radium Girls”, and has been in East Theatre Tech since her freshman year putting in over 650 hours to date through productions at East. This loyal Techie-junior, ironically, accidentally joined theatre. She actually stumbled in on Theatre Tech meeting once.

“I noticed there were cookies there, and I winded up staying.” Weakly added with an embarrassed laugh.

Since then, Weakly has worked diligently as a Techie, working in run crew all the way to soundboard. She mentioned her fondness of Tech and her enjoyment with power tools. When asked who was better, Techie or Actors, Weakly became thoughtful. She said that Tractors were the best, the slang for a person who both participated as an Actor and Techie.

“Both sides of theatre need to understand each other- since we’re all tired and moody during Tech. week.’ Weakly responded. “Tractors are a good example of that understanding.”

 

Tessa Kuhlman (Techie)

Tessa Kuhlman, one of the newest edition to the Tech. crew and a freshman, expressed her love of Theatre. As an aspiring makeup artist in “Radium Girls, Kuhlman had a chance “to make Seniors look like Senior citizens.”, much to her excitement. Kuhlman quickly warmed up to everyone, already feeling part of the family, like so many others.

“Everyone’s super nice, no one cares if you’re weird, because everyone’s weird. And the Seniors are actually nice to Freshman.”

After her first opening night, Kuhlman was hooked and is planning on working on the upcoming musical, My Fair Lady.

 

Kyle Harbour (‘Tractor’)

Now right in the middle, tip toeing the line between Actors and Techies, is the “Tractor”. Kyle Harbour, a senior and the co-stage manager of Radium Girls, is that Tractor. Since his freshman year, Harbour has been participating in Tech and acting. His most known acting role is “The Creature” in last year’s play: Frankenstein.

“I don’t want to sound like a dictator, but I liked the power.” Harbour jokingly remarked, after his first time as stage manager.

After a few goofy minutes of questions, Harbour was asked the recurring question of: “Who was better, Techies or Actors?”

“Hard questions, hard questions,” He replied, before thinking and then responding with Tractors. He then quickly added that both sides (Techies and Actors) “have their advantages as well as disadvantages.” He also added that he thinks neither side is really better– “it just depends on the person.”
With the success of “Radium Girls”- ‘under their belts’, East Theatre continues to strive and show a strong bond and respect between both Actors and Techies (and the strange Tractors). All expressing the same belief of being “One, big family.”