‘Three Sisters’ entrances audiences with lovelorn performance

Eastern’s Department of Communication, Film, and Theatre captivated audiences with its production of “Three Sisters,” written by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov and directed by Rachel Jett, from March 5-8 in the Delmonte Bernstein Studio Theatre. The production followed the story of four siblings at a war-torn military outpost. 

Olga Prorozov (Kylie Nigretti ‘28) navigates the trials of managing her family amidst the turbulent love lives of her younger sisters, Irina (Shyaina Poole ‘29), and Masha (Zolei Burgos ‘26), the latter of whom is cheating on her husband Kulygin (Isaiah Gaspard ‘29). 

The lives of the titular sisters inspired their actresses to be introspective through the lens of their characters. 

“The show was beautiful in all of its complexities, and I went through a self-rediscovery throughout the process of the show,” said Poole. “We had to immerse our souls into our characters, and it really made me think about so many different aspects of my life.” 

She continued: “I felt so intensely through my character, and even though that can be emotionally draining at times, it is one of the most fulfilling and worthwhile things I have ever done. To connect to an audience through a show about the human condition is a magical thing.”

The sisters’ weak-willed brother Andrei (Isaiah Longmire ‘29) fares no better in his shallow marriage to the cruel Natasha (Jessie Dupont ‘29) who among other petty deeds attempts to throw out the siblings’ loyal servant Anfisa (Samantha Mallory ‘29).  

The play connects the lives of the sisters with those of several hapless members of the Russian Army, including Masha’s illicit lover Lieutenant Colonel Vershinin (Colby Groves ‘27), hot-headed Solyony (Colin Gilligan ’29), and easy-going sub-lieutenants Rode (Declan Harris ‘29) and Fedotik (Allison Thebeau ‘27). Additional turmoil comes from the drunken exploits of army doctor Chebutykin (Sean Jolly ‘28) and lovelorn lieutenant Tuzenbach (Lucas Poole ‘28). 

“Working on ‘Three Sisters’ was great, and my role as Rode was a great role for me,” said Harris. “My favorite part of the whole thing had to have been the social aspect. Getting to know all these wonderful actors was an amazing experience.” 

Gilligan added: “This group was insanely special to work with, all the way through to the end. Being alongside the others in ‘Three Sisters’ felt like we were one giant, dysfunctional family.” 

The play proved to be a welcoming first-time theatre experience for much of the cast. “I was nervous at first since this was my first college theatre experience and I didn’t know what to expect, but the director, cast, and crew were so welcoming and kind,” said DuPont.  

“I would do this play again a million times if I could, and the exhilarating and invigorating feeling of getting up on stage and being taken over by my character is an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.”