Silent Sky

By Lauren Gunderson

Covid precautions will be followed and include taking temperatures upon arrival, mandatory masks, and social distancing. Mask work will be incorporated into costumes and blocking for this production.  For more information on the MSP Covid-19 Policy, please see the bottom of this page.  

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or believe that you may have had an exposure, please do not attend our live auditions. Instead, you may record a brief self-taped video of your selected side. In the video, please include a slate of your full name and which side you will be performing. Download an audition sheet from our website and email it and your video to

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Audition Dates:  

Tuesday, March 9 & Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00pm Auditions will be held inside the beautiful Westfield Playhouse located at 220 N Union St., Westfield, IN 46074.  Please enter through the front lobby doors.  Auditions will be held upstairs.  Please do enter the auditorium.  Rehearsals will be in progress for the March production.

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If you have any questions on auditions, please contact Director, Max McCreary at

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What to Prepare:
You may present one of the provided sides of your choice available by emailing the director. 

• Sides are labeled by letter and character

• Sides need not be memorized though familiarity with the text is strongly encouraged.

• You may prepare more than one side though you may only be asked to present one.

Or you may prepare a 1 minute contemporary monologue of your choice.

• These monologues should be memorized.

• Monologues may be either comedic or dramatic though pieces that contain elements of both are best suited to this particular play.

If you have any questions or to request sides, please contact Director, Max McCreary, at

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Performance Dates: 

May 6 - 16 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows begin at 7:30. Sunday shows begin at 2:30.

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Rehearsals:

Rehearsals are planned for Tuesday, Thursday, evenings from 7:00 - 9:30, and Saturday evenings from 6:00 - 9:00. 

The first read through is planned for Tuesday, March 16th, with our regular rehearsal schedule beginning Tuesday, March 23rd. This schedule is subject to change during our Tech and Spacing period (4/29 - 5/5)

Masks will be mandatory at all rehearsals and temperatures will be checked at the doors.

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Synopsis: 

When Henrietta Leavitt begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours” and has no time for the women’s probing theories. As Henrietta, in her free time, attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love. The true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women’s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. Social progress, like scientific progress, can be hard to see when one is trapped among earthly complications; Henrietta Leavitt and her female peers believe in both, and their dedication changed the way we understand both the heavens and Earth.

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Roles to be cast:

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Henrietta Leavitt: 20’s-30’s, brilliant, meticulous, excited - wears a hearing aid. Her research becomes the reason we are able to measure the distance between earth and the stars.

Margaret Leavitt: 30’s, homebody, creative, sweet, sister. The accompanist at her family’s church. Has dreams of composing.

Peter Shaw: 30’s, the head astronomer’s apprentice… the man.

Annie Cannon: 40’s, the leader, terse and sure, grows into a firebrand. Designed the most accurate system of stellar classification in her time.

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Williamina Fleming: 50s, smart as a whip and fun, Scottish. Deeply connected to her family, both literal and chosen.

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IN ORDER TO KEEP OUR ACTORS, TECHNICIANS, AND VOLUNTEERS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE DURING THIS PANDEMIC,

MSP HAS INSTITUTED THE FOLLOWING RULES:

1.    There will be a check in point where actors/technicians/volunteers will have their temperature taken which must be below 99.9 and they will be asked a short list of health question.  These will include:

              - Are you currently experiencing any of the following symptoms related to Covid-19

               that are NOT PREEXISTING CONDITIONS

                       * Fever or chills

                        * Cough

                        * Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

                        * Fatigue

                        * Muscle or body aches

                        * Headache

                        * New loss of taste or smell

                        * Sore throat

                        * Congestion or runny nose

                        * Nausea or vomiting

                        * Diarrhea

                - In the past 14 days, have you experienced any of the above symptoms related to 

                  Covid-19?

                -  In the past 14 days, have you been exposed to anyone who has had the above

                symptoms?

2.  We will have hand sanitizer in the dressing rooms, outside the actor bathrooms and back stage for actor/technician/volunteer use.

3.  Actors/technicians/volunteers are required to wear a face mask to all auditions, rehearsals, and activities in the theatre.  Everyone is expected to provide their own mask.  Should they arrive to the theatre without a mask, the director will require that one be purchased for one dollar from MSP.

4.  Actors/technicians/volunteers will need to carry in their own reusable water bottles.  MSP will provide no food or beverage.

5.  Actors/technicians/volunteers should show up to all rehearsals prepared with all of their own materials, including, but not limited to, scripts, pencils, masks, water bottles.  NO company members should share writing utensils or other items unless it is a prop in the show.  All actors, technicians, and volunteers should wash/sanitizer their hands before and after rehearsal.

6.  Dressing rooms will be sectioned off to allow for social distancing between actors.

7.  Actors/technicians/volunteers are encouraged to wear a facial shield covering during performances.  If your cast will be wearing face shields, this covering will be provided by the theatre as part of the overall costume.**

8.  Props and touch surfaces will be sanitized before each rehearsal and performance for the stage, backstage, dressing rooms, and the booth.

9.  Actors will bring and use only their own make-up and hair styling equipment.  There should be no sharing of these personal items.  All of these items will be taken home after each night’s performance. 

10.  There will be no reception lines or gathering of actors or company members in the lobby following the performance.  Any greeting or picture taking with friends or family should occur outside the theatre, at a safe social distance.

11.  Prior to being cast, all actors will be asked to sign a form agreeing to “quarantine”  themselves during the rehearsal and performance period.  The actor should avoid what the CDC has identified as risky behaviors during a pandemic. This includes, but not limited to, large gatherings, parties, bars/indoor restaurants, and travel.  This also includes agreeing to wear a mask when in public places.

12.  If an actor, technician, or volunteer tests positive for Covid during the early portion of rehearsal, s/he will be removed from the production and the role will be reassigned.  Re-casting will also occur if this situation happens close to opening, and the role is small.  If a positive test occurs too close to opening night, the show may need to be delayed until any danger of Covid is obviously eradicated.  Any member of the company who believes they have been exposed to Covid should IMMEDIATELY contact their director who should IMMEDIATLEY contact the producer.  The producer is responsible for notifying the Executive Committee.

**  It is the policy of the theatre to allow the producer and director to agree on the wearing of face coverings (shields, masks) for PERFORMANCES ONLY.  If the director and producer feel facial coverings will negatively impact what they are trying to present they can make the decision for the cast WHEN ON STAGE to not wear masks during PERFORMANCES ONLY.  When this occurs, it must be disclosed prior to auditions.  In the event the show has already been cast, the cast and crew of the show must be in 100% unanimous agreement of the removal of masks.  If one actor feels unsafe, then it is the responsibility of the director to make them feel safe which may mean a rule that masks must be worn by all.  Under no circumstances is a member of the cast or crew to be removed from a show due to their refusal to not wear a mask.  If one member of the show would like to wear a mask and is comfortable with others not wearing masks, this would be allowed.  When masks are not worn during PERFORMANCES ONLY, social distancing on stage should be strengthened.  Should the Board of Directors become aware of any situation where a member of the show is uncomfortable and the director is not accommodating, this rule is rescinded for said production and all members of the cast will be required to wear masks during all performances.  For the safety of our patrons, when a director and producer decide to perform without masks, the first row of seats will be located on the first riser leaving the floor in front of the stage empty.

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Audition Application