Tells Story of 18th-Century French Physicist
As a salute to women in science, Abbey Goodman ’21 directs Emilie La Marquise Du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight, a play by Lauren Gunderson. The story recounts the life of 18th-century French physicist Emilie du Chatelet as she seeks to find out what really matters and to finally know whether love or science is the driving force of the universe.
Showtimes for Emilie are March 18, March 19, and March 20 at 7:30 p.m. and are staged in the Sally and Jim Nation Theatre inside Ida Green Communication Center. Reservations for livestream and in-person tickets are required and available at no charge. The limited in-person seating is available only to on-campus students who will be required to follow the Austin College COVID protocols for health and safety. Reserve your tickets online.
“My favorite part of Emilie’s story is how passionate she is,” said Abigail Goodman ’21 who has directed the show. “Despite the sexism she experienced as a woman in science in the 18th century, she never stopped fighting for what she believed in, and that passion left a legacy far bigger than she had envisioned.”
Through the character’s personal, academic, and romantic challenges, Emilie is characterized by her persistent drive and mission to include force vive, or the squaring of force in Newton’s theory of universal motion, in the realm of physics.
Goodman says that COVID restrictions definitely shaped the production process with considerations for distance, masking, and performing for an in-person audience. “The safety of our actors is of utmost importance, so of course we have been wearing masks and limiting exposure outside of rehearsals to try to mitigate risk. We’ve also been getting COVID tests each week to ensure everyone’s safety, and have instated various no-travel and mask policies to protect us all.”
Cast and Crew of Emilie La Marquise Du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight:
Emilie: Olivia Trusty ’22;
Voltaire: Kate “Scout” McComack-Morris ’22;
Soubrette: Allie Straeck ’22;
Gentleman: William Bridgwater ’22
Madam: Zoe Crews ’22;
Emilie/Madam Understudy: Chloë Bachofen ’22;
Voltaire/Gentleman Understudy: Chandler Lee;
Soubrette Understudy: Emily DeGarmo ’24;
Director: Abbey Goodman ’21;
Stage Manager: Erin Bobbitt ’21;
Assistant Stage Managers: Lauren (Sawyer) Ahmad ’23 and Rachel Bowman ’21;
Scenic Design: Abbey Goodman;
Scenic Construction: Technical Coordinator Dan Pucul, Theatre Student Workers;
Lighting Design: Associate Professor of Theatre Liz Banks and Sydney Versen ’23;
Sound Design: Shannon Fagen ’22 and Harper Jambor ’21; and
Props Design: Sydney Versen, Chandler Lee, Elizabeth Funderburk ’24, Aguiele Ndoungla ’22.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.