“A Chekhovian World” was the theme of this week’s auditions for the theater department’s production of Anton Chekhov’s “The
Wedding.”

“The Wedding” is a one-act comedy which satirizes the social conventions of Chekhov’s time. The host of amusing characters is made up of a newlywed couple, the bride’s parents and a few of their guests.

The prospective actors were asked to design their own plays based on the works and times of the playwright.

“This is a different kind of audition,” director Adam Houghton said.

The process involved group work and creativity. Actors were put into groups of five, and each group was given the task of creating a play using the guidelines. Within an hour, the group had to produce a three-act, six-minute play which it would then present to Houghton.

Although there were some restrictions, the actors were granted a lot of freedom. They had to create their own situations and characters and were allowed to use the specified elements and devices in whatever way they chose.

The actors were given free reign and told to use any part of the BAC to stage their plays.

Houghton said this method veers away from narrative, giving an impressive quality to auditions that is more fun to work with.

“I felt like this would be the best method to show me the actors’ energy and creativity,” Houghton said.

Houghton uses many different audition methods. This is the first time he has used this type of audition at CSB/SJU.

The actors dedicated themselves to the
challenge of this new audition style.

One group unflinchingly faced the cold,
venturing outside for part of their performance. They let go of any signs of nervousness as time wound down, and maintained their composure and continued to be encouraging toward each other despite the weather.

SJU sophomore Evan Schumacher expressed his confidence at the end of his group’s
audition.

“I felt good,” Schumacher said. “I felt we did a creative job.”

“It gives me such an adrenaline rush. I can’t believe we pulled it off,” sophomore Chandrika Batra said.

Batra attributed their successful audition to Houghton’s direction.

“It’s Adam,” she said. “We know him and what he wants us to do.”

Although she was nervous five minutes before they presented, Batra said that working with a group was very helpful. She hopes the confidence she gained by working with a group will help her in the long run.

“I can only hope, because I worked with so many talented people,” Batra said. “I am
optimistic; I am hopeful, but I am not
expectant, definitely not.”

Now that the auditions are over, students look forward to even more work as they get ready to reveal the show to anxious audiences.

While on the surface this play appears to be about people interacting at a wedding reception, Houghton said that it is comprised of
different levels of relationships and events.

Houghton’s reason for putting on the play is the complex human relationships it portrays.

“It’s all of our human conditions all in one wedding reception,” Houghton said.

Houghton does intend to add his own flair to this production, however.

“The Wedding” was written at the turn of the 19th century. Houghton sets the play in New York’s East Village.

“It’s set in a world that’s not our world but is like our world,” he said.

The production will incorporate elements of grunge, indie film and indie music.

“The characters will depict young people pushing against what is fashionable,” Houghton said.

Scheduled to debut in April, Houghton said that the audience can look forward to a double feature, since “The Wedding” will be coupled with a performance of the senior project, “All in the Timing” by David Ives.

“Expect to see two comedic plays by great writers,” Houghton said.