Seth Mecklenburg | Arts & Life Co-Editor
The Buena Vista University (BVU) theatre department will present Three Sisters on April 23-26 at 7:30 p.m. in Anderson Auditorium. Anton Chekhov wrote the play in 1900, and it was first performed in 1901. Associate professor of Theatre Dr. Bethany Larson is directing the play.
“When we select plays for the university theatre season, we try to cover a wide range of styles, time periods, things that are considered major significant works. We haven’t done Chekhov in a long time, and he is a very important playwright,” Larson said.
She can relate to the Three Sisters, who all want big things, but never achieve them. Larson says she finds this tragic, as she also had big dreams when she was young. But there is some subtle humor in the play as well and Larson calls it a “tragicomedy.”
The play features several newcomers to the stage, mixed with actors Larson has worked with many times. Some of the first timers are even seniors, and Larson is glad they came out and auditioned.
“It has this fresh quality. There is a rapid learning process happening, and what’s really great is the members of the cast who have been in plays before have taken a leadership role,” Larson said.
Trying to make it relevant for the modern audience has been part of her focus. The play deals with very interesting concepts, and she recognized the challenges she would face when doing the play.
“The script is very challenging, and if you read it, it looks like it’s so sad, tragic, and awful. In America, we are more positive. We like plays that are full of energy,” Larson said.
She thought she would have enough men try out, but when she didn’t, she had to cut out three roles and cast a woman as a man. Because of this, it’s not a strictly realistic play. Larson is excited to see the show but sad that so many of the cast members are seniors, as she will miss working with them
“I always feel like empty nest syndrome when graduation comes around. I’m incredibly happy for them but also grieving. I have worked with some of the actors a lot, but for the folks who have never tried out before, to just suddenly now be getting to know them, I’m a bit jealous to now just get to know them before,” Larson said.
One of the first timers to BVU’s main stage play is physics and computer science major Karl Ahrendsen. He auditioned when his friend Michael Boyle, another senior and first timer who was cast, asked him if he was going to try out. Ahrendsen had done plays in high school and knew it was something he would enjoy.
“Overall I’ve really enjoyed having a chance to work with everyone involved, getting the feeling for what it’s like to be in a college production,” Ahrendsen said.
Ahrendsen said he was excited to get to act on a college level but was surprised at the reaction he received from friends and family.
“I thought that since I haven’t been in a production before people would be more surprised. But I haven’t gotten that big of a reaction,” Ahrendsen said.
When he was in high school, all he had to do was get on stage and say his lines correctly but now there is more focus on character development.
“I have gone to shows at BV before, but I haven’t gotten a chance to see [the theatre regulars] build the character behind the scenes. It’s interesting to learn from them and see what it takes to build a character that is fun to watch,” Ahrendsen said.
One of the actors that has been in multiple shows is theatre management major Hannah Jo Anderson.
“Doing theatre is something that I don’t want to ever end, and this is the end of an era at BV. It’s sad that it’s the last time, every time you do a show, it’s the last time with the cast, but this is also the last time at a school,” Anderson said.
She enjoys working with everyone, especially the new people, which includes many new males. Although Ahrendsen was new to a main stage play, he and Anderson had worked together as freshmen in a ten-minute play. She is glad new people tried out.
“Our theatre department is really close, but we are really welcoming to new people. We have a lot of fun together. Adding and getting to know new people is great, it mixes things up,” Anderson said.
Anderson says there are some people she has worked with several times but only gotten to really work closely as an acting partner during this show. She likes to see how the cast has changed throughout the years.
Anderson says she has a great fondness for classical work and is glad to be involved with the production. She is very proud of all the work that is put into the show.
“As always, it’s amazing how much work goes into the show, the acting, the directing, the lighting, and the rest of the behind the scenes. Not everyone realizes how much work small moments can take. Chekhov pieces can be really dry, but we’ve worked really hard to find those funny moments, that humor in life,” Anderson said.
If you want to experience all of the work that has been put into the show, you can see Three Sisters in Anderson Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. from April 23-26.
Graphic by Cassie Forsyth
