Silent Sky: an exploration in scenic and costume design

Lauren Gunderson’s Silent Sky was Temple University’s Fall 2025 production. Directed by Marcus Giamatti, the play centers on the contributions of Henrietta Leavitt, a female astronomer at Harvard University at the turn of the century. This paper accounts the design process of the production in scenic and costuming areas as well as the collaborative process of working with the creative team. Productions challenges included a quick turnaround for production build, new staff and the challenge of a double design assignment for both sets and costumes. Silent Sky developed under unique circumstances, beginning as a class project and translated to a fully executed production. The design process included commitment, analysis research, incubation, selection, implementation and evaluation and these steps are illustrated in this paper. This production also featured the work of skilled artisans and professionals outside the Temple community, exhibiting the unique and collaborative nature of working on a period design piece.