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Welcome back for our third session this month in The Rehearsal Room with Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya!

As we dissect the given circumstances of the play, we find ourselves in a humid, stormy night that serves as a backdrop to the characters’ turmoil. The tension is palpable as each character grapples with exhaustion and frustration, having not slept for two nights due to the ailing professor. This exhaustion manifests not only in their physical state but also in their emotional interactions, leading to blame and irritation among family members.

One of the highlights of our discussion is the character analysis of Vanya himself, who feels swindled by the professor he once idolized. His journey from admiration to disillusionment resonates with anyone who has faced the harsh realities of life and relationships.

You’re invited to reflect on your own family dynamics and the underlying tensions that often go unspoken. The group also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the clues that Chekhov provides through his characters, urging actors and audiences alike to engage deeply with the text.

What happened in the Week 3 Session?

🏁 In this session, highlights include:

• The psychological tension with the characters during a stormy night





• The motivations and frustrations expressed throughout the scene





• Vanya’s emotional turmoil and existential reflections

Watch the Week 3 Session!

Full transcript included at the bottom of this post.

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And there’s the audio version too – you still get everything from listening!

Total Running Time: 1:54:05

• Stream by clicking here.





• Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as/save link as”.

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Short on time?

Check out this 80-second clip from this session with Libby and Deidrie discussion Sonya’s feelings about her father’s new wife.

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And a great quote from Howard in this week’s session…

References mentioned in the Week 3 Session:

• FIVE CHEKHOV PLAYS: Libby and Allison’s translation of Chekhov





• Anton Chekhov





• The Cherry Orchard (play)





• The Seagull (play)





• Three Sisters (play)

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Thank you to our current patrons at the Co-Star level or higher: Ivar, Joan, Michele, Jim, Magdalen, Claudia, Clif and Jeff!

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THE SCENE

Our group will be working on the first half of Act 2.

Follow along with the play here. Order a copy of Libby and Allison’s translation here.

Uncle Vanya Team – with artists in CA, Chicago, and New Zealand!

• DIRECTOR: Libby Appel (Q&A episode)





• VOICE COACH: Ursula Meyer (Q&A episode)





• DRAMATURG: Allison Horsley





• PROFESSOR: Alberto Isaac (episode)





• SONYA: Deidrie Henry





• MARINA: Jully Lee





• VANYA: Howard Leder





• YELENA: Sara Mountjoy-Pepka





• ASTROV: Corey Hedy

Read more about the artists here.

And there’s more!

Catch up on our other workshops featuring lots of Shakespeare scenes, from Hamlet, King Lear, Troilus and Cressida, Midsummer, As You Like It, and our Twelfth Night repertory extravaganza – all on the podcast and YouTube.  If you’ve missed any presentations thus far, click here to find them all.