On Nov. 20-23, Waynesburg University will be putting on their annual fall play, with this year’s choice being,  “Radium Girls” in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center

The newly named Director of Theatre productions, as well as a Part-Time Instructor in Theatre, Ted Watts is taking over for Professor Edward Powers, who retired at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year. “Radium Girls” will be Watts first production here at Waynesburg. 

“It’s been great, and everyone in the fine arts and administration community has really embraced me,”Watts said. “I thought this show would challenge the students/actors we have.” 

Sophomore Marine Biology major, Haley Pattison, is a part of the play and has gotten to experience what it has been like working with Watts firsthand. 

“I’ve really enjoyed it,”Pattison said. “He’s a great director with a lot of big ideas that I’m excited for the future.” 

“Radium Girls” tells the stories of female factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning from the early 1910s  to the early 1920s. “This play has a point. It’s dramatic, it’s fast and it’s important, “Watts said. “It’s a real story about real people, and it connects to the people on stage and the people on campus.”

This Is Pattison’s third production here at Waynesburg, as she was in the fall play, “Rumors” and the spring musical, “Blood Brothers.” “This play is different from anything I’ve done before. It’s very raw, and as an actor you get to connect with your characters and the other characters as well, and this play is teaching me more about acting as well,” Pattison said.

Watts has not only been involved with the fall play, but he has also been involved withWU’s Line (Waynesburg’s Improv Club). “I think it’s really important to evaluate themselves in a way of support and a way of events as well,” Watts said.“I want to grow the department in a way that will excite the students.”

Students should be excited to come and see “Radium Girls,” as Pattison says, “There will be some laughs, but it is a serious retelling about an event that really happened, and I hope the audience will shed some tears. We also get to use the set in a way that is different than before, which is exciting.” 

According to an announcement for the performances, they will begin at 7:30 p.m. 

Tickets are available at waynesburg.ticketleap.com/radium-girls/.