The West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance will produce Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece “Three Sisters” on select dates in Nov. and Dec.

The play covers a five-year span in the lives of three sisters living in the countryside of Russia, each in a life that they never meant to lead. Stuck in a small military town, Olga is aging and unmarried, Masha is married to a man who no longer excites her and youthfully progressive Irina desires to join the workforce. Each navigates their desire for something more and must choose how to continue on when hope of a better life seems to be lost.

Under the direction Jerry McGonigle, professor of acting, the student cast and production team have worked tirelessly to bring this piece, part of the development of Realism and a more realistic style of acting, to life.

“Chekhov has long been considered fertile training ground for actors as his works requires that the actor live the character’s deep complex emotional life in combination with a performance style grounded in realism, all conveyed through language that borders on poetic,” McGonigle said. “In addition, Chekhov creates a collage of quirky and unique characters who all share the stage time equally, creating a beautiful and complex mosaic of truthful human behavior.   A play like ‘Three Sisters’ demands a thorough and rich performance from each and every actor in this truly ensemble piece.”

Cassandra Hackbart, a Master in Fine Arts candidate playing Masha as part of her thesis work, has found this production to be especially fulfilling.

“It has been especially difficult getting into the perspective of someone from such a different worldview,” Hackbart said. “However, it has really given me the opportunity to use everything that I’ve been taught here since year one. To be able to pull everything together to work on such an iconic piece of Realism has been a wonderful experience.”

Hackbart is accompanied in starring roles by Elise Rucker, playing Olga, and Jordan Crow as Irina. Also fulfilling their thesis requirements with “Three Sisters” are Master of Fine Arts candidates Rick Mugrage playing Vershinin, Joseph Bussey playing Chebutykin and Scenic Designer James Raymond.

“Three Sisters” begins at 7:30 p.m. November 16, 17, 28, 29, 30, December 1, and 2 p.m. December 2. Tickets are available through the WVU Box Office’s on-campus locations, by phone at 304-293-SHOW or by visiting Ticketmaster.