Tale of poisonings and lawsuits, ‘Radium Girls’ opens this month at CHS

Published September 5, 2024

BY DANIELA FOLEY

“Radium Girls,” a play based on the harmful impacts of radium on young female factory workers during the 1920s and a slew of related court cases, will be brought to life this month by the Carmel High School drama department.

Jeff McGrath directs cast members during after-school practice while finishing blocking for Act I. (photo by DANIELA FOLEY)

Directed by Jeff McGrath, the manager of all theater-related responsibilities for the visual and performing arts department at Carmel High, who has been directing on-stage for decades, “Radium Girls” is expected to incorporate the talent of student actors, stage managers and set designers.

“Typically, for the fall show, we put on a Shakesperean or murder mystery play with high comedy,” says McGrath. “But this year I wanted to really provide material that will ask the performers to grow in terms of their dramatic acting skills, which motivated me to select this show.”

As the characters in the play often experience significant growth as the show continues, casting actors who can adequately portray them is key.

Carmel High School performers, like Sofia Ortiz and Lillian Mendez, practice frequently throughout the week to prepare for opening night Sept. 27. (photo by DANIELA FOLEY)

“The beautiful thing about Carmel High School is that there is so much good talent,” says the CHS director, “which makes casting extremely difficult because you have great people who can play a variety of roles excellently.”

Though in the past McGrath has double-casted plays and musicals at CHS to allow more actors to experience playing certain roles, this show will not be using that particular casting method. One of the lead characters, Tom, the fiance of a woman suffering from the impacts of radium poisoning, will be played by senior Zachary Rasmussen, president of the CHS Drama Club.

“I can not wait to see the hard work of this talented and devoted cast come together from rehearsals to opening night,” says Rasmussen, who’s been involved in CHS drama for the past four years.

“Radium Girls” will have its first performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at the CHS performing arts center.