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WVHS Drama Club gives three outstanding performances of Radium Girls

The image depicts a theatrical stage setting with a large clock in the background, and three individuals in the foreground wearing aprons and standing behind a table.

The Warwick Valley High School Drama Club captivated audiences (three, to be exact) with their powerful production of Radium Girls!

See a gallery of images from Radium Girls below this story! 

Radium Girls brought theater fans and patrons of the arts out in big numbers to the high school auditorium for three performances last weekend. The production starred more than 30 student actors, with an even larger group of student crew members working behind the scenes on everything from lighting design to wardrobe and props. The ensemble cast was led by Sariah Grant, who portrayed Grace, the character whose personal struggle serves as the centerpiece of the narrative. Sariah and her Radium Girls co-star, Finn Kenned, were featured in last week's WVCSD Artists of the Week profile. Radium Girls was directed and produced by WVHS teachers and Drama Club advisors Ruth Trovato and Beth Peluso respectively.

Once again, the school play gave the high school's performing arts and visual arts departments another opportunity to show off their creative collaboration skills. WVHS art teacher Rocco Manno and his Set Design students created the plays minimalist designs. The large, primarily concrete colored pieces communicated a sense of foreboding and gravity. Each of the set pieces, including an enormous clockface at centerstage, were designed with subtle luminous features that were eerily effective, glowing a radiation green every time the stage lights dimmed between scenes. And, speaking of lighting, the production booth handling both sound and lighting for all three performances was also completely student-run!  

Additionally, students from Dan Cecconie's Video Production program were there to record the show, as well as  consult on audio/visual questions. Of course, every acting troupe must have its headshots, and WVHS photography teacher Anna Penny, along with students Jake Piskadlo and Xoey Campbell, handled those. Amy Buliung served as Costume Coordinator and, with the help of four students, created period costumes that helped transport the audience back to the early 20th century!

Set in the 1920s, Radium Girls dramatizes the true story of young female factory workers who suffered radiation poisoning from painting watch dials with luminous paint, and their courageous fight for justice. As much as it is entertainment, the play is also a poignant reminder of the importance of corporate accountability and the resilience of those who challenge injustice. The socially relevant play and story that inspired it are often cited in high school history and science classes. 

Each performance was met with enthusiastic applause, with Saturday’s matinee drawing a particularly large crowd of students, families, and community members. With Radium Girls, Warwick Valley High School proved that student theater can be both moving and meaningful—leaving audiences inspired long after the final curtain fell on Saturday.

Ms. Trovato, Ms. Peluso and the entire WVHS Drama Club extend their sincerest gratitude to the following individuals, without whom their production would not have been possible: Foremost, the immensely supportive family and friends of every student cast and crew member. Thank you, fellow WVHS teachers Donna Nestor, Anna Penny, Andrew Warren and Pat Reiser. Thank you, local theater community, especially Warwick Center for the Performing Arts and the Bergen Community College theatre program (for loaning us that antique wheelchair). Thank you, WVHS custodial staff for taking such great care of our rehearsal and performance space. And finally, thank you to the members of the WVHS PTSA, for everything you do to support the Drama Club!

And... save the date! The Drama Club presents its spring musical on March 13-15, the inimitable classic Les Misérables! Do you [already] hear the people sing?!

Radium Girls Cast (in order of appearance)

  • Sariah Grant as Grace
  • Jay Browning as Berry
  • Finn Kennedy as Roeder
  • Miles X. Allen as Markley
  • Madison Buliung as Kathryn
  • Jenna Grady as Irene
  • Flora Gilley as Mrs. MacNeil; Women's Club Member
  • Stephan Kitar as Dr. Von Sochocky; Lovesick Cowboy
  • Zoe Ham as Sob Sister
  • Riley Portka as Reporter
  • Charlotte Gunther as Madame Curie
  • Sofia Ayupov as Society Woman; Elderly Widow
  • AJ Reyes as Charles Lee
  • Anya Campbell as Mrs. Fryer
  • Noah Pico as Tom
  • Trinity Fanizza as Mrs. Michaels; Dial painter
  • Aaron Rosin as Martland
  • Claire Padham as Bailey; Dial painter
  • Salemah Brown as Clerk; Women’s Club Member
  • Macie Sullivan as Young Harriet; Court; Dial painter
  • Ashlyn Brown as Mrs. Roeder
  • Caitlin Moser as Dr. Knef; Women’s Club Member
  • Stella Serafin as Dr. Drinker; Women’s Club Member
  • Annabella Nguyen as Flinn; Women’s Club Member
  • Juliet Thomas as Miss Wiley
  • Erin Murphy as Store Owner 1; Press Crowd
  • Calisse Ruiz as Store Owner 2; Dial painter
  • Frankie Fitzpatrick as Customer 1; Press Crowd
  • Madison Burke as Customer 2; Women’s Club Member
  • Sophia Bloise as Shop Girl 1; Women’s Club Member
  • Annabell Agyemang-Boateng as Shop Girl 2; Photographer; Press
  • Anastasia Barabadze as Male Shopper; Board Member 1; Press
  • Ella Stazzone as Venecine Salesman; Press
  • Mariana Pineda-Pinzon as Board Member 2; Dial painter
  • Maggie Maiorana as Board Member 3; Dial painter
  • Maddie Lijoi as Grown-Up Harriet

Radium Girls Production & Crew

  • Beth Peluso: Producer, WVHS Drama Club Advisor
  • Ruth Trovato: Director, WVHS Drama Club Advisor
  • Gianna Cassara: Student Director
  • Rocco Manno: WVHS Set Construction Class Teacher
    • Set Construction Students: Saul Araujo, Jack Castellano, Samantha Diltz, Fiana Goldenberg, Joshua Lashuay, Quinn Marsh, Giuliana Normandia, Veronica Ostendorp, Matthew Peacock, Noah Pico, Landon Putnam, Riley Sarra, Carter Scarano, Leonard Tosh, Thomas Vetell, Justin Vogel
  • Amy Buliung: Costume Coordinator
    • Costume Assistants & Helpers: Madison Burke and Sophie Quick, with Anastasia Barabadze and Emma Miller
  • Finn Buliung: Lighting Manager
    • Lighting Crew: Keene Eicher, Quinn Foley & Aspen Torino-Margolis
  • Lucas Cresser: Sound Manager
    • Sound Crew: Jake Piskadlo & Danellen Bussell
  • Stage Crew: Arthur Liao, Lucy Krikava Rodriguez, Janet Augliera, Cole Aronov, Eli Cook
  • Safety Announcement: Harry Scott

Radium Girls Gallery

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