The Madras High School Theatre Department's spring production of These Shining Lives opened last Friday to what appears to be a warm community reception — and there are still two performances left for those who haven't seen it yet.
The play, written by Melanie Marnich, is based on the true story of the Radium Girls: four women who worked at the Radium Dial Company in Ottawa, Illinois, in the 1920s, painting watch faces with luminous radium paint — and who later fought for justice after suffering devastating health consequences from their exposure. It's a story of friendship, courage, and the fight for workers' rights, told with poetry and emotional power.
Remaining Performances
- Thursday, May 15 — 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 16 — 2:00 p.m.
All performances are at the Madras High School Performing Arts Center.
Tickets
- General admission: $12 at the door
- Seniors, students, and veterans: $8
Why It Matters
Live theatre at the high school level gives students experiences in storytelling, collaboration, and public performance that no classroom can replicate. For a community like Madras — where arts programming has sometimes faced budget pressures — a production like These Shining Lives demonstrates the depth of student talent and the commitment of the school's theatre program.
The subject matter also resonates beyond its 1920s setting. The Radium Girls' fight for accountability — against a corporation that dismissed their health concerns and tried to discredit them — is a story that has inspired workers' rights advocates for nearly a century. Bringing it to Madras audiences, many of whom work in agriculture, manufacturing, and other physical trades, feels timely.
Community members are encouraged to come out and support the students in their final weekend of performances. The Performing Arts Center is located on the Madras High School campus.