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Cardinal Stage presents "Ada and the Engine"

Help us bring Ada Lovelace to life in Bloomington!


Cardinal Stage's spring 2020 production of Ada and the Engine by Lauren Gunderson will tell the inspiring and fascinating story of Ada Byron Lovelace, the brilliant female mathematician recognized as the first computer programmer. This smart and touching play follows Ada’s relationship with Charles Babbage, inventor of the first mechanical computer, as she struggles to be recognized his equal and overcome the tarnished personal legacy of her father, Lord Byron. Gunderson celebrates Ada as a groundbreaking woman of science whose work has impacted all of our lives in profound ways.

Research suggests that there is little to no difference in boys’ and girls’ average ability at STEM subjects, yet fewer women enter STEM fields in college on average in Indiana and nationwide. Many experts suggest that in order to attract more girls to study STEM subjects at university and enter STEM careers, gender stereotypes of those in STEM careers need to be addressed early. One way to counter these stereotypes is through exposure to appropriate role models, specifically successful women in STEM careers.

Cardinal Stage has served over 70,000 area students with its youth programming since 2008

By supporting the production of this important new play, you will help expose more girls and boys to a historically-important role model for women of all ages, while providing all in attendance an in-depth experience of an often-overlooked moment in STEM history.

This funding will support efforts to serve 450 area students through three student-only matinee performances of Ada and the Engine in March and April of 2020, including the creation and distribution of a show-specific student companion piece designed to Indiana’s curricular standards that will provide a richly-detailed history of Ada Byron Lovelace, as well as suggestions for student activities and further explorations of themes. 

Cardinal Stage is a nonprofit professional theatre producing work that engages audiences and strengthens the cultural, educational and economic vibrancy of South Central Indiana.

We hope you'll consider giving at one of the following levels:

$50 - Receive mention in a special supplement in the Ada and the Engine playbill

$100 - Mention in the playbill and 1 complimentary ticket to the show

$200 - Mention in the playbill, 2 complimentary tickets and a custom fascinator


Designed by Philip Beesley (Canadian artist, architect, and designer of Amatria at IU's Luddy Hall ), this fascinator trembles with movement, echoing the sculpture Amatria, suspended in the Luddy Hall fourth floor atrium. The vial at the center contains a copper solution meant to represent the source of all fertility. 

$500 - Everything prior, plus an autographed poster from the cast of Ada

$1000 - Everything prior, plus an invitation to the opening night cast party on Sat March 28
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
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Fundraising team: Cardinal Stage (3)

Gabe Gloden
Organizer
Bloomington, IN
Cardinal Stage Company, Inc.
 
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
Cassie Hakken
Team member
Kate Galvin
Team member

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