Dramaturgical Note In Western Europe people die because their space is cramped and suffocating. In Russia they die because the space is an endless expanse. —ANTON CHEKHOV Yale School of Drama presents
Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya is set in a rural house that swelters in the sultry summer heat. The play focuses on love, which awakens the characters from their monotonous lives.
UNCLE VANYA
Love kindles their passion to live but confounds their minds. Underneath the seemingly calm veneers that they present, emotions seethe and threaten to burst forth. Complaints inundate the house and an emotional storm brews on the horizon. As the play progresses, the action moves from a natural garden outside to Vanya’s claustrophobic and private indoor chamber. Though the characters fail to find love, life must go on. Love’s wounded remain in the house, attempting to regain their senses of purpose by immersing themselves in work. Is the meaning of life to be found in endlessly toiling until death? Or is laboring a way to alleviate the pains of daily life, working like vodka and morphine to numb the senses and make life bearable? Once love ruffles their lives, it eternally ripples in their hearts. Chekhov’s “oldest” play (the average age of the roles could be 50!) is not completely tragic because it is seasoned with witty repartees and situational ironies. As audience members, we may laugh at the roles and their petty concerns while they take everything so seriously. However, they are the epitomes of us, and their struggles are like those we still encounter in the 21st century, absurd but real. —CHENG-HAN WU, PRODUCTION DRAMATURG
2010–11 season
The Studio Series productions are designed to be learning experiences that complement classroom work, providing a medium for students at Yale School of Drama to combine their individual talents and energies toward the staging of collaboratively created works. Your attendance meaningfully completes that process.
Anton Chekhov translated by Carol Rocamora directed by Ron Van Lieu by
Thursday, October 7, 4PM Friday, October 8, 3:30PM and 8PM Saturday, October 9, 4PM ISEMAN THEATER 1156 CHAPEL STREET
OCTOBER 7 TO 9, 2010
production staff
Yale School of Drama James Bundy, Dean Victoria Nolan, Deputy Dean presents
Associate Managing Director Suzanne R. appel
UNCLE VANYA Anton Chekhov translated by Carol Rocamora directed by Ron Van Lieu by
Artistic Staff Scenic Designer jung griffin Costume Designer valÉrie thÉrÈsE bart
Associate Production Supervisor james A. zwicky Assistant Scenic Designer adam rigg Assistant Costume Designer nikki delhomme Assistant Sound Designer and Engineer keri klick Assistant Stage Manager nicole marconi Techinical Director robert shearin Assistant Technical Director nora hyland
Lighting Designer Ji-youn chang
Master Electrician hannah shafran
Sound Designer jennifer lynn jackson
Costume Project Coordinator linda kelley-dodd
Dramaturg cheng-han wu Stage Manager brandon curtis
cast
in alphabetical order Yelena Hallie Cooper-Novack Serebryakov William DeMeritt Vanya Lucas Dixon
Staff Sound Engineer Paul bozzi Scenic Charge Ru Jung Wang Crew Orlando Chavez Barbara Tan-Tiongco Jacqueline deniz Young Assistant Managing Director Dede jacobs-komisar House Manager jennifer harrison newman
Marina Laura Gragtmans Telegin Chris Henry Sonya Lupita Z. Nyong’o Astrov Michael Place Maria adina verson
SPECIAL THANKS: Ellen Lange, Jillian Taylor, Elizaveta Miller
OCTOBER 7 TO 9, 2010
production staff
Yale School of Drama James Bundy, Dean Victoria Nolan, Deputy Dean presents
Associate Managing Director Suzanne R. appel
UNCLE VANYA Anton Chekhov translated by Carol Rocamora directed by Ron Van Lieu by
Artistic Staff Scenic Designer jung griffin Costume Designer valÉrie thÉrÈsE bart
Associate Production Supervisor james A. zwicky Assistant Scenic Designer adam rigg Assistant Costume Designer nikki delhomme Assistant Sound Designer and Engineer keri klick Assistant Stage Manager nicole marconi Techinical Director robert shearin Assistant Technical Director nora hyland
Lighting Designer Ji-youn chang
Master Electrician hannah shafran
Sound Designer jennifer lynn jackson
Costume Project Coordinator linda kelley-dodd
Dramaturg cheng-han wu Stage Manager brandon curtis
cast
in alphabetical order Yelena Hallie Cooper-Novack Serebryakov William DeMeritt Vanya Lucas Dixon
Staff Sound Engineer Paul bozzi Scenic Charge Ru Jung Wang Crew Orlando Chavez Barbara Tan-Tiongco Jacqueline deniz Young Assistant Managing Director Dede jacobs-komisar House Manager jennifer harrison newman
Marina Laura Gragtmans Telegin Chris Henry Sonya Lupita Z. Nyong’o Astrov Michael Place Maria adina verson
SPECIAL THANKS: Ellen Lange, Jillian Taylor, Elizaveta Miller
Dramaturgical Note In Western Europe people die because their space is cramped and suffocating. In Russia they die because the space is an endless expanse. —ANTON CHEKHOV Yale School of Drama presents
Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya is set in a rural house that swelters in the sultry summer heat. The play focuses on love, which awakens the characters from their monotonous lives.
UNCLE VANYA
Love kindles their passion to live but confounds their minds. Underneath the seemingly calm veneers that they present, emotions seethe and threaten to burst forth. Complaints inundate the house and an emotional storm brews on the horizon. As the play progresses, the action moves from a natural garden outside to Vanya’s claustrophobic and private indoor chamber. Though the characters fail to find love, life must go on. Love’s wounded remain in the house, attempting to regain their senses of purpose by immersing themselves in work. Is the meaning of life to be found in endlessly toiling until death? Or is laboring a way to alleviate the pains of daily life, working like vodka and morphine to numb the senses and make life bearable? Once love ruffles their lives, it eternally ripples in their hearts. Chekhov’s “oldest” play (the average age of the roles could be 50!) is not completely tragic because it is seasoned with witty repartees and situational ironies. As audience members, we may laugh at the roles and their petty concerns while they take everything so seriously. However, they are the epitomes of us, and their struggles are like those we still encounter in the 21st century, absurd but real. —CHENG-HAN WU, PRODUCTION DRAMATURG
2010–11 season
The Studio Series productions are designed to be learning experiences that complement classroom work, providing a medium for students at Yale School of Drama to combine their individual talents and energies toward the staging of collaboratively created works. Your attendance meaningfully completes that process.
Anton Chekhov translated by Carol Rocamora directed by Ron Van Lieu by
Thursday, October 7, 4PM Friday, October 8, 3:30PM and 8PM Saturday, October 9, 4PM ISEMAN THEATER 1156 CHAPEL STREET