They Risked Their Lives For Others Tickets

The world of theater is a place of passion and dedication. Actors, directors, writers, and technicians give their all, pouring heart and soul into the performances they bring to life on stage. However, sometimes, the risks that individuals will take in order to put on a great show go beyond the realm of just passion and hard work. There are stories of performers who have been willing to risk their lives for others in order to continue with a performance.

One example of such bravery can be found in the story of Grace Fryer. Fryer was one of the Radium Girls, a group of factory workers exposed to radium while painting luminous watch dials in the 1920s and '30s. When she was diagnosed with cancer as a result of her exposure, Fryer and her coworkers embarked on a legal battle against the companies responsible. However, before the case could be settled, Fryer and a few of her colleagues were approached by playwright and journalist Isabel Scott Rorick. Rorick wanted to tell their story through a play titled "Radium Girls."

The play was meant to be staged in New York City, but the city officials wouldn't allow it due to concerns about the use of radium powder on stage. This is where Fryer's bravery comes in. She agreed to participate in a demonstration during a public hearing to prove that the radium powder used in the play wasn't dangerous. Despite suffering from excruciating pain, Fryer swallowed a pinch of the powder and held it in her mouth for three minutes, then spit it out into a bowl. The demonstration worked, and the play was allowed to proceed.

Another example of someone who risked their life for theater is Josephine Baker. Baker was a dancer and performer in the 1920s and '30s who became famous for her seductive and provocative routines. She was also a civil rights activist who fought against racial segregation and discrimination. In 1940, Baker joined the French Resistance during World War II, working as a spy for the allies. She used her fame as a cover to travel across Europe, gathering information and passing it along to resistance members.

Baker's work was extremely dangerous, and she faced numerous close calls with Nazi officials. At one point, she was even wounded during a scuffle with German soldiers while carrying important documents. Despite the risks, Baker continued her work throughout the war, making an immense contribution to the fight against fascism.

It is clear that theater has inspired individuals to take incredible risks in order to share their stories with the world. Whether it is swallowing radium powder or joining a resistance movement, these performers have shown incredible bravery and dedication to their craft. They have demonstrated that theater is not just about entertainment, but also has the power to inspire and motivate people to take action and fight for what they believe in.