DECATUR, Ill. – Before actress Heather Massie takes the stage at the Albert Taylor Theatre on Millikin University’s campus on Friday for her original production of “HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr,” she took time from her preparation to lead two masterclass sessions with Millikin students and faculty.
One session covered the challenges of producing an original solo show, and the other focused on bridging the gap between unlikely two unlikely topics – hard sciences and performance art.
“I love doing the show in university environments because Hedy’s story draws on so many different interest groups, different departments and different ages,” Heather said. “We can bring together people with an interest in engineering, physics, chemistry, world history, drama and theater.”
Massie found inspiration in the life of Hedy Lamarr, movie star from Hollywood’s golden age, who was also an inventor. Lamarr was a tinkerer in her spare time and during World War II, helped develop a frequency-hopping signal that would prevent a torpedo’s radio guidance system from being jammed. The principles of her work were later incorporated into Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi.
“I’ve always been interested in science. When I was eight, I decided I wanted to be an astronaut, an inventor and work with animals. I started university in Astrophysics at the University of Virginia and I ended up with a theater arts degree from Virginia Tech School of the Arts,” Heather said. “After several years as a professional actor, I put science away and always hoped to fall into some project where science was involved. I wanted to do something that I could perform anywhere in the world and feature a woman in science.”
During a brainstorming session, Heather was introduced to Hedy’s story and she has shared that story in 12 different countries and across America.
“I figured Hedy’s story would appeal to many different audiences. She was a great choice because her story marries my love of science and art,” Heather said. “One of my main missions with the show is to encourage young women in science and technology.”
Along with Massie’s production, the 2017 documentary “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story,” directed by Alexandra Dean and produced by Susan Sarandon’s Reframed Pictures, has also spread the word about Lamarr’s achievements outside of the silver screen.
“People are learning more about her. Alexandra Dean saw my show when she was still working on editing ‘Bombshell,’ and she said that seeing my show influenced her work. When I saw the film, it influenced my work on the play,” Sarah said. “We were sisters on the same mission of getting the story out and having history rewrite itself that the point people recognize Hedy’s contribution to the world of science and wireless communication.”
After “HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr,” Heather plans to complete two more shows focused on Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and primatologist Jane Goodall, considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees.
‘My goal is to have a trilogy and I would be able to play them in succession in a residency. I will have this repertory of shows I can do,” Heather said. “In an unexpected way, I will get to do everything I wanted to do when I was eight. Hedy Lamarr, inventor. Sally Ride, astronaut and astrophysicist. Jane Goodall, primatologist working with animals.”
Heather’s performance on Friday will provide a unique experience for the audience to interact directly with Hedy Lamarr.
“My favorite part of performing the show is the audience,” Heather said. “I portray 36 characters in the show, but the important relationship is Hedy’s relationship with the audience. In the show, the audience summons Hedy back to explain how someone so unexpectedly created this technology we use every day.”
Millikin University's Kirkland Fine Arts Center proudly presents "HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr" in Albert Taylor Theatre in Shilling Hall on Millikin's campus, Friday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.
