With its remaining performance from Nov. 19 to Nov. 21, Starkville Community Theatre’s 7 p.m. performances of “Radium Girls” will display a historic fight for justice.

The theatre’s production of “Radium Girls” demonstrates one of the United States’ most significant labor rights battles, and the story is told through the voices of the women who lived and worked through it.

Written by D.W. Gregory, “Radium Girls” follows the true story of watch-dial painters in the 1920s who used radium-based paint that glowed in the dark. Instructed to shape their brushes with their lips, the women unknowingly ingested radium daily. The play centers on Grace Fryer and her fellow women as they fight against the United States Radium corporation after suffering devastating poisoning, an act of courage that changed labor laws for an already marginalized group of the time. The play exposes the human cost of unchecked corporate power.

Sara Wade, a full-time Starkville realtor who directs theatre, explained that the production aims to remind audiences of an important part of history that shaped worker rights today.

“What inspired me was the story itself,” Wade said. “It’s such an important part of history and reminds us where things started and to make sure we don’t repeat history.”

Leading actress Reagan Lagg, an audio engineer who portrays Grace Fryer, also spoke about the importance of the production and how the story has held personal significance.

“It’s the power of young women uniting to demand their rights,” Lagg said. “While the story follows Grace, there were many other young women who also paid the unfortunate price. This is all of those women’s stories.” 

Lagg said she has admired the play for years and that the role is a dream realized.

“Grace Fryer has always been a dream role of mine,” Lagg said. “I hope their story is never forgotten. It’s important that we remember the sacrifice these young women made for labor rights and the dangers of commercializing science.”

The cast also includes Caroline Court, a senior aerospace engineering major at Mississippi State University and supporting actress who plays Katherine Schaub. Court described her character as “spunky, ambitious, headstrong but most importantly, real.”

“Every one of these girls we portray lived and died because of radium,” Court said. “Katherine is special to me because I think we would’ve been friends.”

Court said the emotional weight of the show has been difficult to bear but meaningful.

“Emotions are raw in this one, but there’s always someone there to wipe tears away and put a smile back on weary faces,” Court said.

Wade added that the play has relevance to modern issues.

“It’s a reminder that the fight for truth and safety is far from over,” Wade said. “These young women were silenced, dismissed and told that their suffering wasn’t real, and there are moments today where that is still happening.”

She said that her proudest moments in the production are the transitions that allow scenes to “bleed” together.

“This isn’t just a lights-up, lights-down show,” Wade said. “The transitions are used to show the continued hardship and struggles these characters face.”

Court and Lagg both said they hope audiences leave with a deeper appreciation for these women in a time when women’s suffrage was being widely protested. They hope audiences will see that these women’s bravery helped shape political reformation to create safer workplaces nationwide. 

“Just because something seems impossible doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for,” Court said. “These women saved the lives of countless others with their fight.”

Wade said the community can expect a production that reflects both the past and the present.

“It mirrors the issues we still face today, workers fighting for safety, people struggling to be believed and powerful institutions trying to hide the truth,” Wade said. 

This production will appeal to anyone who enjoys powerful historic stories, compelling drama and performances that highlight the strength and resilience of ordinary people. Theatre-goers can purchase tickets online at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/starkville-community-theatre/radium-girls.