Ada Lovelace—an English mathematician, and the first computer programmer in the world; this week, her story hits the stage in “Ada and the Engine.”
Directed by Professor of Theatre Victoria Matsos, “Ada and the Engine” tells the story of a famed 19th century mathematician, Ada Lovelace. Ada’s love of mathematics was uncommon in her time, so she speaks to the modernity represented in various aspects of the show. This modernity is particularly present in the rare opportunity that Ada achieves, working in mathematics as a woman.
“Ada’s ideas were ahead of her time,” Matsos said. “As the publisher of the first algorithm, her work is incredibly relevant to how we engage with the world through technology today.”
The play begins with eighteen-year-old Ada, played by freshman Kenda Showalter, reading her dead father’s poems from a journal he left behind when he left the family. Her mother is insistent that Ada find a husband instead of pursuing her scientific interests.
Instead, she meets the famous scientist Charles Babbage, played by senior Sebastian Pestritto, the real-life inventor of the first analytical engine—a programmable computer. They form a steady friendship as they work together to improve his prototype in a time when women rarely had such an opportunity, especially an English socialite.
“It shows us that love is not always something easy and is often very painful. It shows us that sometimes we have to trust in those who come after to complete something that we can imagine,” Pestritto said. “The way that these different characters love, trust, effect, and shape one another can teach us a lot about love, about people, and about the world we live in.”
While the show features romantic love, it transcends beyond that into love of family, friends, and innovation. The future plays a major role in the development of the plot, and despite its 19th century time period, its sentiments leave the audience hopeful for the future. Ada is a modern woman, and she is portrayed as such in the script and in the performance.
“The playwright is asking us to see Ada as our contemporary, and as someone who played an active role in shaping our present experience. She was greatly respected for her courage and independence, and the playwright highlights this,” Matsos said. “Much of the writing is spun from fact, and often from historical documents that are quoted verbatim in the play.”
“Ada is spirited and bold and she loves to envision the impossible. She’s delighted by innovation,” Showalter said. “The show refuses to be constrained to a time period, and it screams Ada.”
With six cast members and six on crew, the production is fairly small, even for Hillsdale. The size gives the actors more opportunities to bring energy to bringing the characters to life.
“There’s so much space for life within the characters,” Showalter said. “Getting to fill all that space onstage is so much fun.”
The show will be performed in the Black Box Theatre, located in the Fine Arts Building. The space seats 64 people, creating a more intimate experience for the audience. The experience is one that Hillsdale audiences have not had since 2019, as the Black Box has been unable to house an audience up to this point due to Covid-19 restrictions.
“The audience will have a close-up view of every moment, from heated arguments to meaningful moments of connection between characters,” Matsos said.
The play has performances tonight through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday at 2 p.m. Ticket reservations are free, but required to see the play. Email boxoffice@hillsdale.edu.
