Bradley University Theatre Presents The Seagull

The Seagull, master dramatist Anton Chekhov’s landmark play about art and love in late 19th century Russia, opens February 25, with performances Thursdays through Sundays until March 6, 2016, in the Meyer Jacobs Theatre at the Hartmann Center for the Performing Arts. Considered a trailblazing example of early modernism in the theatre, the play was the first of four great works that secured Chekhov’s place as one of the most insightful, humane, and influential playwrights of all time.

Set on a country estate over a period of two years, The Seagull depicts the artistic and romantic struggles of an isolated young writer, Konstantin; his famous actress mother, Arkádina; her lover, the celebrated fiction writer, Trigorin; and Nina--the “girl next door”-- an aspiring actress whom Konstantin loves. “We all want to be the stars of our own life stories,” suggests The Seagull director, Professor Susan Felder, who staged last season’s celebrated production of The Mountaintop. “Every other day I have students in my office who encounter private defeats in life – private fears and humiliations and then head to class with a smile plastered to their face for the world.   We ache for recognition, for a place to belong, a place in this world – but mostly for love and acceptance . . .The glory of Chekhov’s plays is the characters’ encounter with these everyday defeats – not “killing the king” or “avenging your father’s death” -- but yearning for something you fear you may never have. And yet his characters continue on – as we do.”

Juniors Katey Kraemer, Becca Laird, Cody Cornwell, and sophomore Jeff Manus lead the cast as Arkádina, Nina, Trigorin, and Konstantin, respectively. An ensemble of student actors from freshmen to seniors complete the rich cast, which includes the typically Chekhovian assortment of, indelibly rendered, all-too-human family members, friends, neighbors and servants of all ages who populate the world of provincial Russian society on the brink of revolution.

The production’s scenic design, which features over 100 stylized birch trees, is by Mark Lohman, with period costumes by Nikki Wheeler, sound by BU alum and technical director Carrie Brant, and lighting by guest artist Chad Lowell in association with junior Michael Castelluccio. Hair and makeup design is by senior Sarah Testin.

Anton Chekhov

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, the descendant of serfs, was born in Taganrog, the Crimea, Russia on January 29th, 1860, He led a rich life that inspired his writing in numerous ways: In addition to hearing stories of his father and grandfather’s youth in serfdom, he saw many facets of Russian life growing up, interacting with people from all classes and walks of life due to his father’s ever-changing employment.

Chekhov’s grandfather worked for a wealthy war hero, so the young Chekhov saw, first hand, of life on a large estate. He lived out his teen years in Taganrog and then moved to Moscow to attend medical school. While there, Chekhov became the head of his household and supported his family by writing. Once he finished medical school, his experiences in the medical field inspired many of his more successful short stories, and he became known as a master of the form, penning favorites like The Student, Anna Round the Neck, and The Lady with the Lapdog.  

Chekhov began writing plays during this time and soon developed the distinctive style that artfully mixed both comic and tragic elements. Along with Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg, Chekhov is often referred to as one of the three seminal figures in the birth of early modern theater. He married the young actress Olga Knipper, whom he met at a reading of The Seagull at the Moscow Art Theatre, where the great actor/director Stanislavsky staged the play to great acclaim two years after its disastrous first production. Chekhov’s four greatest plays, The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, The Three Sisters, and The Cherry Orchard, all set during an age of brewing social turmoil throughout Russia, prefigure the cataclysmic revolution soon to come, not because they are overtly political, but for the unmatched nuance with which they evoke their often constrained characters’ deepest longings for lives of greater meaning. In Tolstoy’s words, Chekhov’s plays were “just as complicated and just as simple as ... in real life…. People are sitting at a table having dinner, that's all, but at the same time their happiness is being created, or their lives are being torn apart." Chekhov died of tuberculosis in 1904, at the age of 44.                

About the Director

Susan Felder teaches many of the BU acting classes as well Movement and Voice. She has taught theatre at Loyola University–Chicago, Northwestern University, Notre Dame, Montana State University and Oklahoma State University. She was a teaching Fellow in Playwriting at Bates College. Susan directed last year’s THE MOUNTAINTOP for Bradley University. Other university directing credits include: BEYOND THERAPY (OSU), WAITING FOR GODOT, WASTELAND, THE BLUE HOUR, IN THE HEART OF AMERICA, HOUSE OF BUTTERFLIES (LOYOLA), and e.e. and MISPLACED for Northwestern University in conjunction with Steppenwolf Theatre. She holds an MFA from the Academy for Classical Acting (George Washington University). Other directing credits include ROMEO AND JULIET with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra; and MACBETH, THE TEMPEST, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, JULIUS CAESAR, and ROMEO AND JULIET for Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. She has acted as verse coach for numerous Shakespeare productions around the country including last season’s PERICLES at Chicago Shakespeare. Playwriting credits include WASTELAND, which received a critically acclaimed world premiere at Chicago's Timeline Theatre Company and TEMPLE SPIRIT which will receive its world premiere in Dallas this spring. Professional Directing and Acting credits include work in Chicago and regionally at Steppenwolf, The Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Northlight, Next, Writer’s Theatre, Court, Remy Bummpo, Orlando Shakespeare, Indiana Repertory, Detroit’s Attic Theatre and Montana Shakespeare. She was awarded Jeff and After Dark Awards for acting - best ensemble (LARAMIE PROJECT – Next Theatre); and a Thespie award for best supporting actress (MOTHER'S DAY - The Boarshead Theatre). Susan is a proud member of Actor’s Equity and the Dramatist’s Guild.

CAST

Irína Nikoláyevna Arkádina, an actress……………...…..........................Katey Kraemer

Konstantín Gavrílovich Tréplev, her son, a writer………...…........................Jeff Manus

Pyótr Nikoláyevich Sórin, her brother……………………….............................Kyle Peck

Nína Mikháilovna Zaréchnaya, a young neighbor………….........................Becca Laird

Ilyá Afanásyevich Shamráyev, manager of Sorin’s estate...............Derek Yeghiazarian

Paulína Andréyevna, his wife………………………............................Sarah Heilbronner

Másha, their daughter…………………………………................................Maggie Sturm

Borís Alexéyevich Trigórin, a writer……………...…….............................Cody Cornwell

Yevgény Sergéyevich Dorn, a doctor……………...........................Arís-Allen Roberson

Semyón Semyónovich Medvedénko, a schoolteacher….......................Derek Baunach

Yákov, a servant…………………………………………….............................Trevor Baty

The Cook………………………………………..……...................................Rebekah Farr

The Maid………………………………….….................…..........................Sophia Fishkin

ABOUT BRADLEY UNIVERSITY THEATRE

Bradley University Theatre is a vital academic and cultural asset to both our university community and the Central Illinois region. Our mission is straightforward and comprehensive: to teach and promote the intellectual foundations and creative processes of the theatre; to train aspiring theatre artists in a range of performance and production disciplines; and to provide a comprehensive educational experience in a deeply nurturing, student-centered environment. The Department of Theatre Arts at Bradley University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre and active in many professional organizations including the Association of Theatre in Higher Education, and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

The Seagull, by Anton Chekhov

When:

            February 25 – March 6, 2016

            Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun 2:30pm

Where:

            The Hartmann Center for the Performing Arts

            1423 West St. James, Peoria, IL 61625

 

Tickets and information:

            Bradley University Cultural Events Box Office

            309.677.2650

            www.theatre.bradley.edu