FSU/Asolo Conservatory For Actor Training Celebrates 50th Anniversary Season With Chekhov's THREE SISTERS

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training marks its 50th anniversary in partnership with the acclaimed Asolo Rep Theatre in Sarasota, Florida. The Conservatory's 2023-24 season kicks off with the presentation of Anton Chekhov's timeless masterpiece, Three Sisters. Translated by Paul Schmidt and directed by the internationally renowned director and scholar Andrei Malaev-Babel, this captivating show will run from October 27 to November 19, 2023, with previews scheduled from October 24 to 26, 2023.

Prepare to be transported into the heart-wrenching and yet hilarious world of the Prozorov sisters, who keep persistently pressing forward as their dreams of returning to Moscow unravel in a provincial Russian swamp. Three Sisters invites you to uncover the enigmatic secrets that have moved audiences for over a century, while exploring Chekhov's protest against melodramatic interpretations of his work. Don't miss your chance to step into the timeless masterpiece created by the second-year FSU/Asolo Conservatory Company, in collaboration with faculty members, alums and local actors.

Andrei Malaev-Babel, FSU Director and Head of Acting, who also directs Three Sisters, expressed his excitement for this unique season, saying, "Only our highly trained graduate actors can deliver such a robust season, although this time they won't do it alone. Our audiences will be thrilled to see the Conservatory's second-year students supported by their illustrious faculty, seasoned local actors and our gifted alums. There is no better way to commemorate our 50th Anniversary in Sarasota than honoring the city, our faculty and alums, as well as our current students. Such an unprecedented occasion is a cause for celebration, and a treat for the Conservatory and audiences alike."

Andrei Malaev-Babel is a distinguished expert in Russian theater and acting techniques, who has held key roles such as Artistic Director for Moscow Chamber Forms Theatre and the award-winning Stanislavsky Theater Studio in Washington, DC. His extensive career includes involvement with the Michael Chekhov Association in NYC, the Stanislavski Centre (UK), and the International Scientific Committee for Arti Dello Spettacolo-Performing Arts (Italy). Throughout his career, he earned recognition such as a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Director and Fulbright Specialist Award from the US Department of State. Andrei's contributions extend to institutions like The World Bank, The Smithsonian Institution, Stanford University and The United Nations, alongside his international workshops, performances and productions in the US, Latin America, Europe and Asia. He authored eight books and numerous book chapters and articles on key theatrical figures, such as Yevgeny Vakhtangov, Michael Chekhov, Alexandra Remizova and Nikolai Demidov. A graduate of the Vakhtangov Theater Institute in Moscow, he serves as the Head and Certifying Master teacher for the International Demidov Association.

“Anton Chekhov has managed to catch his characters at the very end of the 19th century, a rare period in Russian history when the country was at peace, relatively speaking, both domestically and internationally,” said Andrei Malaev-Babel. “That period did not last long with the first Russian revolution following in 1905, World War I breaking out in 1914, and the communist Revolution following shortly in 1917. Nevertheless, between 1895, when the play begins, and its 1898 finale, Russia was at a rare period of rest between storms. And Russian people, especially members of the intelligentsia represented in the play (doctors, teachers, military officers), have shifted their resources towards searching for the meaning of life, trying to find some justifications behind their sufferings and seeking ways to build if not peaceful, then at least progressive future. These tasks are tough to achieve in any time and in any country, let along Russia of the late 19th century.”

The cast of Three Sisters features second-year Conservatory students, faculty and alums in various roles, including Jonathan Acosta (Andrey Prozorov), Deanna S. Wright* and Elle Miller (Olga), Catherine Luciani and Ashley McCauley Moore (Masha), Jasmyne Ackah and Ayda Ozdoganlar (Irina), Caitlin Rose (Natasha), Ibukun Omotowa (Kulygin), Brian Zane (Vershinin), John Leggett (Baron Tuzenbach), Bryan Lewis* (Solyony), Jonathan Epstein* (Chebutykin), Don Walker* (Ferapont), Jenny Aldrich Walker* (Anfisa), Zach Harris (Fedotik), Luke Hoonmin Choi (Rohde), Ashley Brooke Raymond (Orderly & Street Musician), Christina Mei Chen or Amara Kali (Maid and Street Musician). The crew is composed of first-year students. * Indicates FSU faculty members, alums and guest actors

The creative team includes Production Manager/Technical Director Chris McVicker, who also serves as Set and Lighting Designer; Stage Manager & Props Designer Megan Radish; Hair/Wig & Makeup Designer Michelle Hart; Sound Designer Dorian Boyd; Costume Designer Andrea Herrera; Voice & Dialect Coach Patricia Delorey; and Movement Coach Karina Aviva Benjamin.

Three Sisters will grace the Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts from October 24 to November 19. Tickets, priced at $32, are available for purchase online at asolorep.org/conservatory/season, by phone at 941.351.8000, or in person at the Asolo Rep Box Office, located at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Special student pricing is also available.

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