The College of Arts and Media is kicking off its Ethington Theatre season with Lauren Gunderson's play, "Ada and the Engine." Based off a true story, the play features inventor Charles Babbage and mathematician Ada Byron Lovelace who work together to create the Difference Engine, the first computing machine. Story
Prop design senior Reese Tate shows cast members the functioning parts of the Difference Engine that she created for the theatre department’s production of “Ada and the Engine” during rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Sept. 11, 2024.The Difference Engine for the theatre department’s production of “Ada and the Engine” during rehearsal at Ethington Theatre on Sept. 11, 2024.Ada Byron Lovelace, played by Cora Epton, reacts as her mother rips pages from her book.Charles Babbage, played by Ben Sparling, unveils the Difference Engine.Ada Byron Lovelace, played by Cora Epton, marvels at the Difference Engine.Cora Epton, as Ada Byron Lovelace, is introduced to the Difference Engine by Charles Babbage, played by Ben Sparling. Prop design senior Reese Tate watches in the wings as her Difference Engine is unveiled on stage. Charles Babbage, played by Ben Sparling, during rehearsal for the theatre department’s production of “Ada and the Engine” at Ethington Theatre.Ada Byron Lovelace, played by Cora Epton, during rehearsal for the theatre department’s production of “Ada and the Engine” at Ethington Theatre.Ada Byron Lovelace, played by Cora Epton, gets fitted in her dress. From left, Cora Epton as Ada Byron Lovelace, Ben Sparling as Charles Babbage and Adeli Gillis as Mary Sommerville during rehearsal for the theatre department’s production of “Ada and the Engine” at Ethington Theatre.Mary Sommerville, played by Adeli Gillis during rehearsal for the theatre department’s production of “Ada and the Engine” at Ethington Theatre.Anna Koth as Lady Anabella Byron prepares Ada Byron Lovelace, played by Cora Epton, for a meeting with Lord Lovelace.Lord Lovelace, played by Alex Pearson, with Cora Epton as Ada Byron Lovelace share a romantic moment. A scene during rehearsal for the theatre department’s production of “Ada and the Engine” at Ethington Theatre, featuring the spinning gear stage that theatre crew and engineering department created together. Cora Epton, as Ada Byron Lovelace, and Ben Sparling, as Charles Babbage, discuss future plans for their Difference Engine project. Anna Koth as Lady Anabella Byron and Cora Epton, as Ada Byron Lovelace, share a mother-daughter moment on Ethington stage.Ben Sparling as Charles Babbage performs on Ethington stage.From left, Ben Sparling as Charles Babbage, Cora Epton as Ada Byron Lovelace and Alex Pearson as Lord Lovelace during rehearsal for the theatre department’s production of “Ada and the Engine."Ada Byron Lovelace, played by Cora Epton, during rehearsal for the theatre department’s production of “Ada and the Engine” at Ethington Theatre.Cora Epton, as Ada Byron Lovelace, and Maverick Lemmon as Byron, on the gear shaped rotating stage during rehearsal for the theatre department’s production of “Ada and the Engine."Cora Epton, as Ada Byron Lovelace, and Maverick Lemmon as Byron, share a father-daughter moment on stage.Anna Koth as Lady Anabella Byron and Alex Pearson as Lord Lovelace during tend to unwell Cora Epton as Ada Byron Lovelace. Cora Epton as Ada Byron Lovelace, during the final scene of “Ada and the Engine."
