October 22, 2020 Vol. 21, No. 23
In This Issue FOUR SEASONS
Four Seasons, by Kevin Box, in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the UCO campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Email contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information, see page 4.
Scenes from North football game See Page 12
PHOTO PROVIDED
FRIDAY, October 23 AM Thunderstorms High 52° Low 38°
SATURDAY, October 24 Partly Cloudy High 57° Low 48°
SUNDAY, October 25 Partly Cloudy High 62° Low 40°
Jillian Wheeler, a junior theatre performance major from Edmond, Oklahoma, stars in the University of Central Oklahoma’s virtual production of “Radium Girls” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22-24 and 2 p.m. Oct. 25, via streaming.uco.edu.
The University of Central Oklahoma’s Department of Theatre Arts returns to the stage with a modern interpretation of “Radium Girls.” In place of in-person performances, this production will be livestreamed at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22-24 and 2 p.m. Oct. 25, via streaming. uco.edu. “Radium Girls,” by D.W. Gregory, is set in the early 20th century when recently-discovered radium was marketed as a “miracle cure.” Radium was used to treat cancer, blindness and hysteria. The world became enamored by its pale blue glow, and everyday products were dosed with the toxic element. Radium was used in watch dials until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious and painful disease. Inspired by a true story, “Radium Girls” traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she battles not only the U.S. Radium Corporation but her own family and friends, who fear that her campaign for justice will backfire. “Radium Girls” Director Alicia Tafoya, M.F.A.,
says the show draws parallels to the United States’ response to COVID-19. “When we began planning this production, there was no way for us to have known just how timely this would be. The play explores who is to blame for a series of illnesses and deaths. This invisible toxin is spread through the air and the chemicals that employees encounter while working. Some consider it a public health crisis, and others consider it fake news,” Tafoya said. “Radium Girls” is a masked and socially-distanced production, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and UCO protocols. UCO’s production of “Radium Girls” will be submitted as a participating entry in the Region VI Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, which will take place virtually, Feb. 21-28, 2021. For a complete listing of UCO College of Fine Arts and Design events and performances, visit uco.edu/cfad.