A Glow That Faded: Pekin High School’s Production of Radium Girls

Pekin High School’s production of Radium Girls told a powerful and often-overlooked story from history. It combined an engaging plot with real events and the hard work of its student actors. With heartfelt performances and careful attention to detail, the play brought to life the tragic story of the young women whose work with radium forever changed their lives—and the world.

Radium Girls' story began with Madame Curie’s (played by Brinley Phillips) discovery of radium. This amazing element glowed in the dark and inspired inventions like glow-in-the-dark wristwatches, created with special radium-based paint. While it seemed magical at first, radium turned out to be deadly.

In the early 20th century, young women, some as young as 15, were hired to paint watch dials with radium paint. They became known as the “dial painters.” The play highlighted the harsh reality they faced as they unknowingly ingested radium while painting tiny details, often using their lips to sharpen the brushes. Each stroke sealed their fate.

The student performers gave an emotional and unforgettable performance. Natalie Hamilton brought strength and heart to the role of Grace Fryer, a dial painter who stood up to the company to fight for justice. Reflecting on opening night, Natalie said, “Our performance was really good. We worked hard and did our very best to tell our story.” Bo Latcham played Mr. Roeder, the conflicted company executive, showing the tough moral choices of the time.

The cast did a wonderful job showing the close friendships among the dial painters while also revealing their growing fear as their health declined. The contrast between their youthful optimism and the terrible reality they faced deeply moved the audience.

The play didn’t just tell their story—it also touched on important themes like corporate responsibility, workers’ rights, and the struggle for justice. It even explored how the press and public opinion shaped the events, as well as the challenges of the legal system. These issues are still relevant today, giving the audience plenty to think about.

The creative team, led by Jim Eschenbrenner, Kari Beth Hamilton, and Staci Wright, helped the students understand the historical events behind the play. They guided the actors through the timeline, from the discovery of radium in 1918 to the legal battles of the 1920s and the long-term effects recognized in the 1940s. Mr. Eschenbrenner praised the students, saying, “The students rose to the occasion, and the opening night was absolutely beautiful.” Mrs. Wright added, “I am very proud of our cast. We had middle and high school students who had to portray adult issues. It’s a different kind of show than what we have performed in the past.”

The Cast included: Grace Fryer, a top-notch dial painter - Natalie Hamilton; Kathryn Schaub, Grace's friend and dial painter - Michelle Jacobs; Irene Rudolph, Kathryn's cousin, a dial painter - Harper Guise; Mrs. MacNeil, the supervisor - Anna Hadley; Arthur Roeder, President of U.S. Radium - Bo Latcham; Edward Markley, Counsel for the company - Will Daniels; C.B. "Charlie" Lee, VP and later president of the company - Hayden Miller; Dr. Von Sochocky - Founder U.S. Radium, inventor of luminous paint - Sam Hall; Tom Kreider, Grace's boyfriend - Liam Guise; Diane Roeder, married to Arthur Roeder - Brinley Phillips; Young Harriet Roeder, Nine years old - Samantha Jacob; Grown Harriet Roeder, In her 30s - *Ayla Banes; Anna Fryer, Grace's mother - Tatum Harbison; Katherine Wiley, Leader, New Jersey Consumer's League - Rannen Harbison; Raymond Berry, Attorney for the dial painters - Garett Greiner; Dr. Cecil Drinker, A Harvard industrial hygienist - Jase Wiggins. Dr. Harrison Martland, The county medical examiner - Sam Hall; Dr. Joseph Knef, a dentist - Harper Guise; Dr. Marie Curie, Discovered Radium - Brinley Phillips; Frederica Flinn, Ph.D, Columbia University Hygienist - Ava Heisdorfer. Reporter Jack Youngwood - John Jacobs. Sob Sister Nancy Jane Harlan - Zoe Heisdorffer. William J. Bailey, An entrepreneur, and manufacturer of Radithor-Parker Long; Mrs. Michaels, a consumer of Radithor-Zoey Denison; Society Woman, Mrs. Middleton - Taytum Hixson; Clerk, an overworked public employee - Sophie Davis; Board Member 1 -Izzy Ahlf, Board Member 2 - Brinley Phillips; Board Member 3 - *Ayla Banes,  Board Member 4 - Luke Balster; Shop Girl - Carlie Chittick; Customer - Taytum Hixson, Photographer - Madison Meacham; Elderly woman - Ava Heisdorfer, Venecine Salesman - Anna Hall, Lovesick Cowboy - Stephen Jacobs. Extra dial painters - Lily Long, Greenlee Ray, and Madison Meacham, Store Owner - Lily Long, Student Director - Brody Sobaski. 

Backstage crew: Wyatt Brown, Wyatt Cobler, Lacey Collins, Gabe Gentry, Emma Moore. Hair and Makeup: Sara Deutsch, Kari Beth Hamilton, Sarah Hamilton*, Cheyenne Hixson, Joy Latcham; Allisen Long, Lila MillerCostume Mistress: *Sarah Hamilton, Assistant Costume Mistress: Rylan Lowenberg. Set Design by Staci and Roger Wright. Set Crew: Kari Beth Hamilton, Jeremy Hamilton, Kieran Adrian, Wyatt Brown, Wyatt Cobler, Lacey Collins, Gabe Gentry, Emma Moore and Cowen Weaver

The programs were noted with character and scene descriptions that helped the audience follow along, making the shifts in time and tone easy to understand.

With its emotional storytelling, historical importance, and polished performance, Radium Girls was a success. The dedication of the cast and crew was clear in every scene, leaving the audience with a deep appreciation for the dial painters’ stories and the hard lessons their experiences taught. This production honored their memory while reminding everyone about the importance of justice, responsibility, and standing up for what is right.