The April 2025 production of “These Shining Lives,” showcasing the lives of radium workers in the 1920s, powerfully highlights the excellent work of the Olivet Nazarene University Theatre Department. Under the thoughtful and compelling direction of student D’Jaliana Herring, the cast and crew delivered a moving performance that captivated the audience from start to finish. “These Shining Lives” honored the legacy of the brave women whose stories deserve to be remembered under the shining lights and sound of the stage. Below you’ll find stories about the production.
The History of Radium
The True Story Behind These Shining Lives While it’s known today as a radioactive material, radium was not always seen that way. The production “These Shining Lives” by the ONU Theater Department takes a deeper look into the lives of individuals affected by radium poisoning. Here is a quick look into the real events in…
These Shining Lights, Sound, and Props!
In a play where time glows, greed glimmers, and tragedy quietly unfolds, the backstage crew at “These Shining Lives” transformed the story’s emotional weight into powerful visuals and sound, turning the technical side of theater into storytelling magic. A Look Behind the Curtain Creating the world of “These Shining Lives” took more than just talented…
A Director’s Role: Making a Show Shine
When an audience member watches a play, the last thing they will think of is the show’s director. However, a director is the one who makes a script a story. D’Jaliana’s Olivet Directing Debut Though D’Jaliana Herring, an Olivet Senior majoring in Public Relations and Strategic Communication, began her theatre career long before she came…
About this project:
This project was created by Caroline Garvin, Ellie Fontenetta, Macey Wade, and Eli Kayser as part of a final project for the multimedia storytelling class at Olivet Nazarene University.
