by Anton Chekhov, translation by Paul Schmidt
directed by Gwendolyn Wiegold

Written in 1895, The Seagull is Anton Chekhov’s famous tale of romantic woe and artistic identity. Considered to be the first of Chekhov’s four major plays, the story is an ensemble tale of an extended family in rural Russia grappling with themselves and each other in their quest for success and love. Famous for debuting as a critical failure, The Seagull today stands as one of Russia’s greatest theatrical works due to the beautiful richness of humanity in its characters that forces the audience to ask ourselves what gives us hope.

 

Michaela Voit (Arkádina) is a third-year in the College majoring in English and Public Policy. She is thrilled to be acting in her seventh UT production; her past roles include Miss Julie (Kristine), Cowboy Mouth (Cavale), Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Helena). Michaela is a member of the Dean's Men Board, serving as Treasurer.

Jacob Goodman (Konstantin Treplev) is a first-year in the College majoring in Visual Arts and Comparative Human Development. Previous acting credits include Twelfth Night (Duke Orsino) and a lot of mishegoss in high school.

Adam Johnson (Sorin) is a third-year in the College. Previously with UT, he has directed (The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen...), acted (Urinetown, Amadeus, Grey Gardens), and dramaturged (Macbeth, Twelfth Night).

Emma Maltby (Nina) is a second-year in the College majoring in TAPS and English. Previous UT credits include Suburbia (Bee-Bee), Rumors (Chris Gorman), and Macbeth (Lady Macduff). She has also acted for New Work Week, as well as several Weekend of Workshops and Theater [24] festivals. Emma serves on UT's committee.

Ruben Lesnick (Ilya Afanásyevich Shamráyev) is a fourth-year biology major. He has previously appeared in The Candles, Love's Labour's Lost, Selections from Angels in America, and As You Like It, in addition to productions with C.E.S. and a caboodle of Theater [24]s.

Laurie Beckoff (Paulina) is a fourth-year English major. Her previous UT credits include Twelfth Night (Fool), Macbeth (First Witch), Cabaret (Helga), and As You Like It (Phebe). She also choreographed UT's productions of Urinetown and The Drowsy Chaperone. This is her first mainstage that is neither Shakespeare nor a musical. While studying abroad at Oxford University, she played Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream. She would like to thank Gwen for making the last four years absolutely terrific.

Sherlock Ziauddin (Masha) is a student in the College.

Alex Morales (Trigorin) is a third-year TAPS and Psychology double major, expecting a B.A. in 2017. Previous credits include Variations on the Death of Trotsky (Trotsky), Amadeus (Salieri), and CLOSER (Larry).

Thomas Meerschwam (Dorn) is a third-year in the College majoring in Economics and minoring in Art History. Previous acting credits include Hedda Gabler (George Tesman) and Henry V (King of France). Thomas is also a member of Fire Escape Films, and is looking to pursue a career in the film industry after college.

Michael Procassini (Medvedénko) is a student in the College.

Gwendolyn Wiegold (Director) is a fourth-year in the College majoring in TAPS and minoring in English and Creative Writing. Past UT directing credits include Cowboy Mouth (Winter 2015) and As You Like It (Fall 2013). Gwendolyn has also acted at UChicago, notably in First Love (Edith) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bottom). She is the current president of the Dean's Men Board and works as North Campus Front of House Manager for TAPS Student Staff. Gwendolyn would like to extend her warmest thanks to everyone who has worked to bring the world of The Seagull to life.

Mariel Shlomchik (Production Manager) is a third-year in the College studying Biology (with a major passion in theater). The Seagull is her tenth show with University Theater. In the last year she has production managed Krapp's Last Tape, Love's Labour's Lost, and Cowboy Mouth.

Ariela Subar (Stage Manager) is a third-year student in the College, majoring in Theater & Performance Studies. Previous stage management credits include include This is How it Goes, Amadeus, Macbeth (1st Assistant Stage Manager), A Little Star Quality within A Weekend of Workshops, as well as CESfest’s croMagnum (Assistant Stage Manager). She has also served as the Assistant Stage Manager for First Floor Theater's productions of Kafkapalooza and Animals Commit Suicide. Ariela currently serves as the Student Staff Photographer for TAPS.

Alexander "Xander" Eichner (Dramaturg) is a third-year in the College majoring in Mathematics and Sociology. They've acted in a number of UT shows in the past, and recently have tried directing (House of Cards, co-director) and dramaturgy (Miss Julie, assistant).

Alice Sheehan (Lighting Designer) is a second-year NELC major and TAPS minor. Recent UT credits include By the Bog of Cats, Miss Julie, Suburbia, and Love's Labours Lost among many others.

Dan Lastres (Sound Designer) is a second-year in the college majoring in Music and English. Previous Sound Designing credits include Love's Labour's Lost, and Twelfth Night. Dan is also a performing member of Occam's Razor.

Gabriella Mulder (Set Designer) is a third-year in the College majoring in Sociology and Gender and Sexuality Studies. Previous UT credits include Rumors (Set Designer), Fifth Planet (Set Designer), Henry V (Assistant Set Designer), Sleuth (Assistant Stage Manager), and The Clean House (Assistant Set Designer).

Emily Cambias (Props Designer) is a student in the College.

Sofia Johnson (Costume Designer) is a fourth-year in the College studying Comparative Human Development. She has previously designed costumes for University Theater (Cowboy Mouth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Drowsy Chaperone), Classical Entertainment Society (Mostellaria), and Le Vorris And Vox (Mowgli's Adventures). As an ensemble member for UChicago Commedia, she has costume designed one production and acted in six.

Michael Roy (Master Electrician) is a fourth-year in the College majoring in chemistry. He has served as an ME on five previous shows and as an ALD on two. He is thankful for the wonderful opportunities afforded to him by UT.

Amelia Soethe (Assistant Director) is a third-year in the College majoring in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. She has appeared in Love's Labour's Lost and Twelfth Night.

Patrick Doyle (Asst. Production Manager) is a first-year in the College. Patrick previously worked with UT on Urinetown (Assistant Production Manager).

Charlotte Rieder (Asst. Props Designer) is a second-year in the College majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science. Previous UT credits include costume assistant (Love's Labour's Lost) and assistant director (Henry V).

Rena Slavin (Asst. Sound Designer) is a first-year in the College majoring in Economics and Political Science. Previous theater-related work includes playing piano in the pit orchestras of Cabaret, The Who's TOMMY, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Chicago.

Emma Heras (Asst. Costume Designer) is a student in the College.

Afriti Bankwalla (Asst. Costume Designer) is a student in the College.

Brandon McCallister (Asst. Lighting Designer) is a second-year in the College double majoring in TAPS and Comparative Human Development. Previous credits include Henry V and Richard II (Assistant Stage Manager), Love's Labour's Lost (Assistant Director), Urinetown (Assistant Props), Twelfth Night (Stage Manager) and A Weekend of Workshops: The Monkey's Paw (Director).

Michelle Noyes (First Asst. Stage Manager) is a first-year in the College majoring in Biology. She has previously assistant stage managed on Twelfth Night.

Katy Surhigh (Second Asst. Stage Manager) is a second-year English major. Her previous credits include Rumors (Assistant Costumes) and Urinetown (Billy Boy Bill/UGC Exec #2), as well as acting in Theater[24] and New Work Week. She is also a newly elected member of the 2016/17 UT Committee and sings a cappella with Rhythm and Jews, serving as their Publicity Chair.

Patrick Doyle (Assistant Production Manager) is a first-year in the College. Patrick previously worked with UT on Urinetown (Assistant Production Manager).

Amanda Wilson (Asst. Sound Designer) is a student in the College.

Isaiah Newman (Asst. Set Designer) is a student in the College.

Ben Sulser (Tech Staff Liaison) is a student in the College.

Sarah Kim (Committee Liaison) is a student in the College.