WHAT IS THE CHEKHOV PROJECT?

THE CHEKHOV PROJECT was formed in the autumn of 1999. This ensemble of actors, designers, dramaturgs and stage managers began a yearlong exploration of the work of Anton Chekhov, with the ultimate goal of a production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD in the autumn of 2000, a goal that has now been achieved. Along the way, a thorough examination of Russian life, history, religion, values, etc., was undertaken. Experts in Russian history and culture participated, and exercises and improvisations were created to help digest and utilize the information.  All in all, as many as 300 people collaborated on THE CHEKHOV PROJECT through our series of open rehearsals held throughout the year. In this way, the entire process of "putting on a play" was examined, tested, an evaluated, and a new and powerful understanding of the process of creating Theatre was developed.

WHY THE CHERRY ORCHARD?  WHY A YEAR?

Chekhov's plays have been highly respected by scholars and critics, and widely neglected and even feared by audiences. Many of us have had first experiences with Chekhov that left us cold (much like many first experiences with Shakespeare or Opera).  Mad Cow's goal in working for such an extended period of time was twofold: first, to immerse ourselves in the life and culture of 1903 Russia in order to reach an understanding of this world from the inside out; then, to use that knowledge to bring to life every sentence of the text of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. The goal is to shed the traditions and preconceptions that have attached themselves to his plays, and to see the work through the context of Chekhov's world - a world of upheaval and change at the beginning of a new century. In short, a world much like our own.