In honor of Silent Sky being Cherokee High School’s first production at its new school, I had the opportunity to interview junior lead Cece Richards about her experience with the play.
Richards has been involved in theater for five years, beginning with the local theater company Academy Street. You may also recognize her from her role as the Wicked Witch in last year’s spring musical, The Wizard of Oz. In Silent Sky, Richards plays Henrietta Leavitt, a real-life astronomer whose work helped scientists measure distances in the universe.
Set in the early 1900s, Silent Sky follows Leavitt as she works at the Harvard College Observatory. At a time when women faced significant barriers in science, Leavitt studied stars and made discoveries that changed how astronomers understand the universe.
When discussing her character, Richards described Leavitt as a strong, funny, and independent woman who had to navigate the challenges of being a woman in science during that time.
Richards also shared her excitement about being part of the production, explaining,
“It’s such a unique piece that I’ve never had to act before. It’s such a different approach of acting, and I am just, like, so happy to be a part of it.”
One of the aspects Richards appreciates most about Leavitt is her strength and determination. Richards explained that she approaches the role by being authentic, staying true to herself, and putting herself in Leavitt’s shoes. Throughout the play, Leavitt faces hardships while working in an environment where women are separated from their male colleagues and must find their place.
When asked which other character she would want to play, Richards immediately brought up Williamina Fleming, a Scottish astronomer portrayed in the production.
“She is hilarious,” Richards said, describing the character’s humor and personality. Although she noted that performing with a Scottish accent would be challenging, she praised the actress playing Fleming for doing a wonderful job.
Senior Ava Zelinsky plays Williamina Fleming and has been involved in theater for four years. Like Richards, Zelinsky also appeared in last year’s production of The Wizard of Oz, where she played Dorothy. Richards highlighted the uniqueness of Fleming’s character and the comic relief she brings to the play.
Several other cast members also appeared in The Wizard of Oz, including Olivia Ross, Joey Courier, Millie James, Layla Campbell, and Karma Logan.
Beyond the acting, Richards said the costumes and behind-the-scenes work have been enjoyable parts of the experience, although they can come with challenges.
“It’s mostly like figuring out our hair and makeup for this time period,” she explained.
Much of the preparation involves figuring out hairstyles and makeup that fit the time period, as well as determining which costume pieces work best for each character. The production also relies on the technical work happening behind the scenes, including the sound booth.
For audience members wondering what to expect, Richards said the play includes a light touch of romance and humorous moments from Fleming. However, the production also explores deeper themes about life, belief, and the choices people make.
Ultimately, Richards hopes audiences leave the theater with a new perspective on their own lives.
“Nothing in your life is predetermined,” Richards explained. “That’s why I take away from it. If you really dive deep into the show, it has many very religious themes, but it’s really just about the wonders of the world. It encourages you to believe in what you believe in and just take chances in life and learn from your mistakes.”
Through its combination of humor, history, and meaningful themes, Silent Sky offers audiences a look at the women whose work helped expand humanity’s understanding of the universe.
