Nov 13, 2024

Hays High students to stage ‘Radium Girls,’ historical drama about courage, justice

Posted Nov 13, 2024 11:01 AM
Because management believed too much radium was being wasted, company supervisor Alma MacNeil (Alisha Rose Windholz) tells dial painters Grace Fryer (Jordan Aschenbrenner), Katherine Schaub (Addy Brull) and Irene Rudolph (Alexis Ryan) that they could no longer use water and rags to “point” their brushes. Instead, they were instructed to use their mouths, thus ingesting the harmful chemical. Courtesy photo
Because management believed too much radium was being wasted, company supervisor Alma MacNeil (Alisha Rose Windholz) tells dial painters Grace Fryer (Jordan Aschenbrenner), Katherine Schaub (Addy Brull) and Irene Rudolph (Alexis Ryan) that they could no longer use water and rags to “point” their brushes. Instead, they were instructed to use their mouths, thus ingesting the harmful chemical. Courtesy photo

Submitted

Hays High School will present a powerful and thought-provoking play that dramatizes a significant historical event in American history.

“Radium Girls,” a play by D.W. Gregory, tells the true story of a group of female factory workers who fought for justice against U.S. Radium, a large factory in Orange, NJ. It will be presented at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14-16 at 12th Street Auditorium.

“The Radium Girls were a group of young women who painted watch dials with paint containing radium during the early 20th century,” said director Bill Gasper. “Their work led to radiation poisoning, numerous health issues and death. Their subsequent court case was among the first in which a company was held responsible for the health and safety of its employees.”

Gasper said the origins of the story date back to 1903 when Marie Curie, her husband Pierre, and Henri Becquerel were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work on radioactivity. Shortly thereafter, radium was considered a miracle cure, and Madame Curie was an international celebrity.

U.S. Radium Vice President Charlotte Lee (Katelyn Willemsen) listens as President Arthur Roeder (Oscar Flores) shares his vision concerning the company’s expanded use of radium in products other than luminous watch dials. Courtesy photo
U.S. Radium Vice President Charlotte Lee (Katelyn Willemsen) listens as President Arthur Roeder (Oscar Flores) shares his vision concerning the company’s expanded use of radium in products other than luminous watch dials. Courtesy photo

U.S. Radium developed a luminous radium paint that dials painters applied to watch faces, among other products. The key ingredient was about one million times more active than uranium. Initially, the painter’s fine brush was rinsed in a glass of water, but the water was soon taken away and the painters were instructed to “point” their brushes in their mouths. Although the young women began to fall ill, company executives urged doctors to attribute causes other than radiation poisoning.

“Upon seeing the play, I was immediately impressed by the courage and determination shown by the young women who took legal action against their employer,” Gasper said. “Although such action was probably frowned upon during that time, they pushed forward, and as a result of their actions, many workplace safety regulations were established.

“The overall messages of greed, worker exploitation, corruption and the resulting grief also captured my attention. I found it particularly upsetting how the company tried to delay court proceedings in hopes that the plaintiffs would die before a settlement was reached.”

Gasper said the play's structure is well-conceived, with a series of short scenes taking place at various locations. A pair of newspaper reporters appear throughout the show and provide brief news reports to narrate the sequence of events.

Central characters who appear throughout the play are a pair of reporters (Liza Bergman and Allison Goertzen), who through their interviews and news reports help drive the storyline. Here they receive a testimonial from Mrs. Michaels (Juliet Gross) about the wonders of radium-infused water. Courtesy photo
Central characters who appear throughout the play are a pair of reporters (Liza Bergman and Allison Goertzen), who through their interviews and news reports help drive the storyline. Here they receive a testimonial from Mrs. Michaels (Juliet Gross) about the wonders of radium-infused water. Courtesy photo

Overall, there are 28 students involved in the production, 25 of whom appear on stage.

“We have a very talented cast and crew who have worked hard to bring to life this story of courage, resilience and the importance of standing up for what is right,” Gasper said. “It has been a popular story and play throughout the United States, and I’m pleased to have the opportunity to bring it to Hays.”

General admission tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door or at https://www.ticketsource.us/hays-high-school.

Dial painter Grace Fryer (Jordan Aschenbrenner) receives disturbing news from her dentist, Dr. Josephine Knef (Clare Tholstrup), that her jawbone is decaying. Courtesy photo
Dial painter Grace Fryer (Jordan Aschenbrenner) receives disturbing news from her dentist, Dr. Josephine Knef (Clare Tholstrup), that her jawbone is decaying. Courtesy photo
“Radium Girls” features a large cast and crew of 28 students. The play will be performed at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14-16 at 12th Street Auditorium. General admission tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door or online. 
“Radium Girls” features a large cast and crew of 28 students. The play will be performed at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14-16 at 12th Street Auditorium. General admission tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door or online.