About

Austin Shakespeare brings Chekhov’s revolutionary play, The Seagull, to the Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center from February 7 – 25, 2018. This is the first time the legendary Russian playwright’s work will be performed by the professional (Actors’ Equity) company.

“The Seagull is one of the most beautiful scripts ever written,” says Director Ann Ciccolella, “It blew the top off playwriting in its time because it was so truthful. I am thrilled to work on our own adaptation.”

Featured as the aspiring playwright and young actor Konstantin is Michael Miller, who has previously performed in Austin Shakespeare’s productions of Pride and Prejudice, Design for Living, Othello, and Present Laughter. Corinna Browning, who recently played ingénues in Much Ado about Nothing and Present Laughter, will portray Nina.  

In her Austin Shakespeare debut, Tyler Layton will take on the role of the acclaimed actress, Irina Arkadina. Layton performed seven seasons at Oregon Shakespeare Festival before moving to Austin in 2015 to work at St. Edward’s University as their Assistant Professor of Theatre. Her television credits include recurring roles on Ellen and Charmed, and the series lead on USA Network’s Silk Stalkings.

Guest Artist Matt Radford Davies will play the novelist, Trigorin. Radford Davies performed regularly with Austin Shakespeare while studying for his PhD in Renaissance Drama at The University of Texas at Austin. Following a professional acting career in the United Kingdom, Matt now teaches at Virginia’s Mary Baldwin University in collaboration with the American Shakespeare Center and is an Associate Director of Actors From The London Stage.
 
Other alumni actors include: Helen Merino, an Austin Shakespeare favorite (Hamlet in Hamlet, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth), will portray the melancholy Masha; Ev Lunning, Jr., who recently retired from St. Edwards’ University and played Judge Danforth in Austin Shakespeare’s reading of The Crucible, will play Sorin; James “Bobby” Byers (Roderigo in Othello) will be the school teacher Medvedenko; Patrick David Wheeler (Borachio in Much Ado about Nothing) will be the pushy and comedic land manager, Shamreyev; and Jet Ryan will portray Yakov. Chuck Winkler, who will be Dr. Dorn, and Sarah Stuart, who is set to play Polina, will be making their Austin Shakespeare debut in The Seagull.

February 7 – 25, 2018
Thursday - Saturday at 7:30 pm; Sunday matinee at 3 pm
Preview on Wednesday, February 7 at 7:30 pm

Event Details

• Date: February 7-25, 2018
• Time: Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
• Venue: Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts
• Website: http://thelongcenter.org/event/the-seagull/

Ticket Information

• Cost: Tickets start at $22
• Phone: (512) 474-5664

Presenter Details

• Name: Austin Shakespeare

Founded in 1984 and the only professional classical theater company in Central Texas, Austin Shakespeare presents professional theater of the highest quality with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare, bringing to the public performances that are fresh, bold, imaginative, thought-provoking, and eminently accessible, connecting the truths of the past with the challenges and possibilities of today. In the fall and spring, Austin Shakespeare also produces plays by Shaw, Schiller, and Stoppard at The Long Center for the Performing Arts Rollins Studio Theatre. Austin Shakespeare’s ongoing “Shakespeare Aloud” reading group and “Artist’s Way” sessions invite new participants weekly. Austin Shakespeare’s education program 20/20 sends professional actors into the schools to encourage love of language.

Venue Details