Award-winning entertainer Heather Massie at K-State for weeklong residency, performance
K-State students, community members to benefit from Massie's planned programming
Kansas State University is hosting award-winning actor and writer Heather Massie for a weeklong residency from Feb. 23-28 that includes community events, classroom engagements and a McCain Performance Series show of "HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr."
Massie has always been fascinated by the sciences, especially astronomy. She studied astrophysics at the University of Virginia and theatre arts at the Virginia Tech School of the Arts, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Massie collaborated for many years with the late Tony-nominated playwright Leslie Lee, another scientist turned artist. She has performed extensively regionally and nationally and has been recognized with various awards and nominations.
K-State students, faculty and staff and regional community members have opportunities to interact with, learn from and enjoy a performance by Massie during her residency.
Tuesday, Feb. 24: Educational and community programming
Massie begins her free public appearances with "A Salon Presentation on Hedy Lamarr – Hollywood Screen Siren & Mother of Wi‑Fi!" for the Salina Aerospace Campus Women in Aviation Club at 10 a.m., open to all K-State students and faculty.
At 3 p.m., she brings the same presentation to Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community, continuing her outreach to varied audiences. This event is open to all residents of Meadowlark Hills.
The day concludes with a 7:30 p.m. roundtable discussion, "Women in STEM Fields," in the K‑State Student Union's Flint Hills Room. The event is open to all K-State students and faculty.
Wednesday, Feb. 25: Student engagement and film event
Massie visits Junction City High School from 1:05-2:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 to meet with students and share insights from her work.
In the evening, she joins the Wildcat Film Appreciation student group at the McCain Loft for a 7:30 p.m. screening of "Ecstasy," offering an introduction and a post-film Q&A. This event is free and open to all K-State students, faculty and staff.
Thursday, Feb. 26: Theatre workshops
Massie will guest-teach multiple courses for K-State theatre students on Thursday, Feb. 26, including Fundamentals of Acting Sections A and B from 9:30-10:45 a.m. and Intermediate Acting from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27: Playwriting program and McCain Performance Series show
Massie meets with K-State playwriting students from 12:30-1:20 p.m. on Feb. 27, and then her visit culminates in a McCain Performance Series show at 7:30 p.m., followed by an audience talkback.
"HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr" is a solo play celebrating Hedy Lamarr, the 1930s-1950s Hollywood star dubbed "The Most Beautiful Woman in the World." Beyond her glamour, Lamarr was a brilliant inventor who, using knowledge from her marriage to an Austrian arms dealer, co-invented the "Secret Communication System" with George Antheil during WWII to improve torpedo accuracy. This frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology now powers cell phones, Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth.
Written and performed by Massie, who portrays 36 characters, the play blends art and science, reflecting Massie's background in astrophysics and theater. Premiering Off-Broadway in 2016, the show has toured globally, earning 31 awards and inspiring audiences, especially young women, to pursue science and technology. The play honors Lamarr as a role model for intelligence and innovation.
Tickets for Massie's final show are available online at mccain.k-state.edu or at the ticket office in the McCain lobby from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays. Tickets are also available by phone at 785-532-6428 during the same hours. Discounts are available for bundling your choice of seven or more events as a package or purchasing as a group of ten or more. Youth tickets are 50% off general public prices for patrons ages 17 and under. 10% discounts are also available for active military, K-State faculty and staff, and seniors ages 65 and older. Valid IDs will be required. For more information regarding available discounts, call the ticket office.
For more information about the show or the community outreach activities, email mccain@k-state.edu.
— Submitted by Todd Holmberg