These Shining Lives

By Melanie Marnich

Directed by RJ Wall

April 11-19, 2025

These Shining Lives is based on the true story of four women who worked for the Radium Dial Company - a watch factory based in Ottawa, Illinois. The play showcases the danger women faced in this workplace and highlights the wider lack of concern companies had for protecting the health of their employees. Catherine and her friends are dying, it’s true; but theirs is a story of survival in its most transcendent sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits—or endanger the lives of those who come after them.

The Cast:

Catherine – MB Westbrook

  • Tom – TJ Reissner

  • Frances – Calyan Cook

  • Charlotte – Lizzie Boyer

  • Pearl – Gina Vitgenos

  • Mr. Reed- Noah Blankman

  • Leonard Grossman – James Raby

  • Dr. Dalitsch - Marti Sullivan  

  • Dr. Rowntree/Son/Courtroom Observer – Jacob Daignault

  • Company Doctor/Judge – David Werth

  • Radio Announcer/Reporter – Michael Zella

  • Radio Jingle Singer/Reporter – Kayla Gardner

  • Radio Jingle Singer/Reporter – Heather Ashe

  • Radio Jingle Singer/Daughter/Courtroom Observer – Arin Fenstermacher

Director: Raylene J. Wall (RJ) – RJ has over 50 years’ experience in theatre as an actor, director, author, and designer.