The Artist's Collective is proud to present this dynamic piece at The Ooley Theatre directed by Joanna Johnson! This play has long been on the radar for several of our members, who are also acting in the show. It is with great pleasure we present it to you as the opening of our 2024/25 Season to Remember.

About the Play:
In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, Radium Girls traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court.
Though Radium Girls ranges from 1918 through the 1940’s, the bulk of the narrative is centered on events in New Jersey in the mid 1920’s.
The play highlights Grace, Irene, and Kathryn who paint dials in the U.S. Radium Plant and are instructed to finely point their brushes by molding the bristles with their mouths while painting. The factory’s new owner, Arthur Roeder, is excited by radium’s promising future and believes in the company’s potential for growth. Roder’s mindset is supported by Marie Curie, the internationally famous scientist, who believes radium provides many health benefits and could even cure cancer.
But soon many of the the girls begin to notice disturbing health issues, and one of their co-workers dies, but her death is brushed aside. The plant tries to keep the girls who are getting sicker from talking to the press, push back their court dates, and deflect any negativity toward the company. Some of the surviving girls finally get settlements and medical coverage for the rest of their shortened lives.
Radium Girls fiercely examines the commercialization of science, the pursuit of both health and wealth, the power of the underdog, and the fierce injustice laborers in America have faced, and may even continue to face in the present.

ACT ONE

Scene 1 -  1918
U.S. Radium Plant

Scene 2 - 1921
Madame Curie Press Conference

Scene 3 - 1922
U.S. Radium Plant

Scene 4
Grace Fryer's Home

Scene 5
U.S. Radium Plant Office

Scene 6 - 1924
Reporters and Advertisers are gushing about the health benefits of Radium

Scene 7
The Health Department

Scene 8
The Roeder's Front Porch

Scene 9
Dr. Knef's Dental Office and the U.S. Radium Plant Office

Scene 10 - 1925
Grace Fryer's Home - some months later after her dental visit

Scene 11
The Women's Club with Lawyer Ms. Wiley

INTERMISSION

ACT 2

Scene 1 - December of 1927
Reporters and Others Remark on the Strange Case of the Radium Girls

Scene 2
The Law Office of Mr. Berry

Scene 3
Kathryn's Hospital Room

Scene 4
U.S. Radium Boardroom with it's board members in meeting

Scene 5
The Essex County Courthouse

Scene 6 - January 1928
Reporters Update the progress of the case

Scene 7
The Living Room of the Roeder Home

Scene 8 - February 1928
Reporter Update

Scene 9
Grace Fryer's Home

Scene 10
U.S. Radium Plant

Scene 11
Grace Fryer's Home

Scene 12 & 13
The Home of Dr. Von Sohocky bleeds into the Courthouse in Essex County

Scene 14 - June 1928
The Final Reporters interviews

Scene 15 - 1929 and 1940
A Graveyard

DIRECTOR'S NOTE:

Sometimes life throws you for a loop and this show was no exception. I was initially drawn to this show because I was a fan of the movie. I loved seeing how these women rose up to fight big business when the world seemed to be against them. As I worked on the show I came to realized that this message can apply to all of us in many aspects of our lives. It may be scary to stand up for what is right. It may be scary to call out something that is wrong. It may even be scary to take on a task you did not expect. However, when you surround yourself with people who can help you stand tall, we can all win.

I stepped into the role of sole director rather unexpectedly. It was a task that was a little frightening, but allowed me to grow as an actor, director, and a person. I have been blessed with an amazing cast who went on a wild ride with me to make this show the best it could be. I am so proud of this cast for their performances and care with this material. I also am so thankful for the support of Elise to help enhance my vision.
~Joanna Johnson~

DIRECTED BY
Joanna Johnson

Joanna not only directs this amazing show, but she acts in the Show in Multiple roles:
Kathryn, Shopgirl, Society Woman, Board Member

Heidi Schuyler
as
Grace Fryer

Tyler Anderson
as
Mr. Roeder

Noah Harris
as
Tom, Dr. Knef &
Mr. Berry

Lucinda Otto
as
Irene, Ms. Wiley
Tabloid Reporter
& Board Member

Luke Michaels
as
Markley, Dr. Von Sohocky, Dr. Martland, & Venecine Salesman

Katelyn Monteiro
as
Mrs. Diane Roeder, Madame Curie & Board Member

Adriana Marmo
as
Mrs. McNeil, Mrs. Fryer, Widow, & Customer

Rand Doering
as
Charlie Lee,Bailey, Flinn, Court Judge, & Dr. Drinker

Raina Bahadur
as
Sob Sister (Tabloid Reporter), Clerk, & Harriet

Kiyo Romais
as
Reporter & Lovesick Cowboy
Picture
ELISE HODGE - Producer/Technical Director/Set Design & Build/Stage Manager and pretty much anything else that needs doing

It has been my honor to produce this particular show on behalf of The Artist's Collective Members Joanna Johnson and Shane Robert. They brought this play to the table as a piece they both found moving and such a compelling story. I was happy to say Yes! to this play and allow them to explore their directing skills along with acting. Joanna soon became the lead of this show as the director, taking on several smaller roles in the play, and I am really proud her efforts to bring this life.

Community theater is about exploring your creative talents outside of your day to day life. I am a proud supporter of our local talent and their creative endeavors, which deserve to be seen and enjoyed by all. We thank you for joining us to view this truly heartbreaking and empowering story featuring some very strong women, despite the weakness that radium poisoning did their bodies.We hope this will be an opportunity to not only entertain but educate you, our wonderful patrons of the arts.

Elise Hodge, EMH Productions, The Artist's Collective, and The Ooley Theatre