W&L Presents Student Production of ‘These Shining Lives’ The play runs Dec. 2-5 in Johnson Theatre in the Lenfest Center for the Arts.

By Emily Innes Stanley
November 13, 2025

The Department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies at Washington and Lee University is pleased to present “These Shining Lives,” a 2008 play based on the true story of the women who worked for the Radium Dial Company in the 1920s. Performances will take place in the Johnson Theatre in the Lenfest Center for the Arts on Dec. 2-5 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are required and available online or in person at the Lenfest Center box office.

Written by Melanie Marnich, “These Shining Lives” follows four women who were among the thousands hired in the 1910s and 1920s to paint radium on watch and clock faces to make them glow in the dark. Faced with corporate greed and medical misdirection, these women working at the Radium Dial Company in Illinois fought back. Their courage helped transform labor laws in the United States and Europe, leading to major advances in science and medicine and change in industrial safety standards.

“These Shining Lives” is directed by Jemma Alix Levy, associate professor of theater, with lighting design by Owen Collins, professor of theater and head of the Department of Music, costume design by Elizabeth Wislar, costume shop manager, prop design by Shawn Paul Evans, professor of theater, and stage management by Paula Fritz, the theater department’s producing stage manager. The production also features the work of guest scenic designer Qingan Zhang and guest sound designer Simon Marland ’20, assistant professor of theater at James Madison University. The ensemble cast includes Ryleigh Love ’29 as Catherine, Rachel Collins ’27 as Charlotte, Hana Chang ’26 as Pearl, Katia Apedoh ’28 as Frances and Matthew Lauderdale ’29 as Catherine’s husband Tom.

“This play resonated with me because even though it tells the sad story of these women who died of radium poisoning, its focus is on their relationships and the strength they pulled from each other,” said Levy. “The play shows us that when we work together, we can do amazing things, even when it seems that we are powerless individually. The characters remind us to care for each other, and the story proves that there is hope and joy even in the face of tragedy.”

Order your tickets online today or call the Lenfest Center box office at 540-458-8000 for ticket information. Box office hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The cost is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, $14 for W&L faculty and staff and $8 for students.

For a full list of this season’s performances, visit the Lenfest Center’s website.

The Lenfest Center for the Arts, home of the Department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies and the Department of Music and Department of Art and Art History is a multi-use facility designed and equipped to accommodate a broad spectrum of the performing arts, including theater, musical theater, opera and operetta, choral and band music, dance and performance art in one energizing complex.

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“These Shining Lives” is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection (www.dramatists.com).