The Kokomo High School Drama Club is proud to announce the upcoming performances November 19 and 20 of Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory. The play is based on the harmful effects that young watch dial painters suffered, along with the cruelty of their employer, who denied any responsibility for their cancer and death. In preparation for this play, the KHS Drama Club students have been studying the scientific properties and effects of radiation, as well as the history of Radium from its discovery through the end of the 1920’s.
“We are excited to be back in the theatre in 2021,” KHS senior Bridget Baumfalk (female lead) explained. “The drama club has been an amazing experience for me, and I am so happy to finish my high school career back on stage!”
Many new faces have joined the KHS Drama Club since the last production in the fall of 2019. Newcomers to the KHS stage are sophomores Talon Hawkins (male lead) and Ava Caudill, and freshman Noelle Duncan. While this will be their first time on the KHS stage, their work has been seen on other stages in Kokomo.
“This is a very talented cast,” KHS sophomore Ellie Geiselman said. “I have enjoyed working with everyone involved in this production. Because of the shared energy and excitement, I am looking forward to this experience.”
The story of Radium Girls follows real life events that took place in Orange, New Jersey in the 1920’s at the U.S. Radium Corporation. This was far from an isolated event since a radium design factory was located in Ottawa, Illinois during the same time period. Radium Girls is being produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
“We should continue thanking these young ladies,” KHS Drama Club Sponsor James Becker noted. “Because of their fight, the United States now has laws in place to protect workers, such as OSHA. These KHS Drama Club students have been working hard to present this production in an accurate, yet entertaining way.”
Performances will be November 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. in the Kokomo High School auditorium. Tickets are $7 for this experience. With the purchase of an adult ticket; a child, 6 and under, is free.