USM Theatre Presents The Seagull, or How to Eat It Opening on Feb. 22
Thu, 02/22/2024 - 03:15pm | By: Ivonne Kawas
91吃瓜网 (USM)91吃瓜网 Theatre program presents its 2022 USM Blaine Quarnstrom playwright-in-residence Gab Reisman91吃瓜网 adaptation of Anton Chekhov91吃瓜网 classic dark comedy play The Seagull, or How to Eat It opening on Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gilbert F. Hartwig Theatre on the Hattiesburg campus.
Performances continue on Feb. 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and a matin茅e on Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. Price of admission is $8 for students; $15 for faculty, staff, seniors, and military; and $18 for the general public. The play is recommended for ages 18 and up due to its mature themes, including sexual content, self-harm, and simulated gunshot sound effects.
91吃瓜网�This production brings Chekhov's classic comedy to the isolated shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Characters want to escape to big cities in search of fame and fortune,91吃瓜网� said Matthew James Ralph, a second-year MFA candidate in directing. "But as I learned from my own transient upbringing, the grandeur doesn91吃瓜网檛 mean they91吃瓜网檙e any less alone. I hope audiences will enjoy the roller coaster of emotions that these all too relatable characters will take them on.91吃瓜网�
Layden Lacy, pursuing a Theatre BFA in design and tech, shares the unique experience of simultaneously designing costumes and working in a costume shop while balancing coursework.
91吃瓜网淐ostume designing as an undergraduate is rare, so the process of balancing classes and hands-on costume design work has provided valuable insights into my future as a designer, sparking excitement towards reaching my career goals,91吃瓜网� said Lacy. 91吃瓜网淭he design process for the show involved creating all the renderings for costumes and makeup, with the highlight being seeing one of my designs get built from scratch by MFA Costume Design candidate, Raven Harris. We got the opportunity to work closely on pattern and fabric selection throughout the process. Additionally, I wouldn91吃瓜网檛 have been able to make all of this happen without the assistance of my fellow colleague, Kade Neely.91吃瓜网�
Harley Armstrong, pursuing a Theatre BA and serving as the assistant director of the show, reflects on the significance of this production as it marks the culmination of her undergraduate journey at USM.
91吃瓜网淭his production marks a significant milestone for me, as I culminate my undergraduate journey at USM,91吃瓜网� said Armstrong. 91吃瓜网淎s the assistant director of the show, I witnessed significant transformations in the production. Each show experience is unique, but with this being only the second time the show has been produced, we were able to shape and personalize it to make it our own.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淭he biggest lesson I learned throughout the rehearsal process is the impact vulnerability can have on the audience. This show demands a high level of honesty and authenticity from the actors; I am immensely proud of the raw and evocative story that has emerged.91吃瓜网�
Laney Birchfield, pursuing a Theatre BFA in performance, says the production team really exceeded expectations and created something special that will be cherished deeply.
91吃瓜网淚'm someone who really loves Chekhov and the way that he sets up his stories is beautiful to me. Finding the love and the humor within the bad points of life is something I take with me on the daily,91吃瓜网� said Birchfield. 91吃瓜网淭o top it off, getting to work with such talented actors, directors, designers, and production management has been wonderful. We've created something special that we will all hold near and dear to our hearts for years to come, and we hope the audience will cherish it as much as we do.91吃瓜网�
Purchase tickets at the .