The Seagull

Content Disclosure: This show contains gunshot sound effects, talk of child loss, alcohol consumption, talk and depiction of self-harm and suicide.

In The Seagull, Chekhov gives us a world teetering on the edge—artistically, emotionally, even socially. Set in late 19th-century Russia, it captures people caught in transition: between old and new values, between romantic ideals and harsher realities, between who they hoped they’d become and who they actually are.

What drew me most to this play is that tension—between the ideal and the real. Every character in The Seagull is reaching for something larger than themselves: a great love, a great career, a great artistic truth. And in reaching, they fall short. That struggle is painful, often funny, and sometimes—beautifully—feels ridiculous. It’s that mix of soaring idealism and everyday absurdity that makes Chekhov’s world feel so deeply human.

This is one of Chekhov’s earlier plays, and you can still feel the tug of older theatrical forms in its bones. There are moments that veer toward melodrama, and sudden speeches—almost soliloquies—where characters pour out their inner lives in ways that might seem at odds with the quiet realism we often associate with Chekhov. I didn’t want to ignore those moments—I wanted to lean into them. They’re part of the texture of a young playwright wrestling with what theatre can be, and part of what gives this play its raw, searching energy.

We’ve set this production firmly in Russia, 1895, to honor the historical context, but also to highlight how timeless these emotional struggles really are. The desire to be seen, to be loved, to create something meaningful—to live a life that matters—these are as urgent now as they were then.

I dedicate this production to two mentors of mine who passed away in the last two years: Andrei Belgrader and Alan Langdon. Andrei taught and mentored me when I was a directing student at Juilliard. He made me fall further in love with Beckett and all things absurd. Alan shared his love for Chekhov with me and helped me so much in my acting training when I was just starting out at the age of 19. For sure these two men have been with me in this process.

Thank you for joining us in this fragile, ridiculous, and very human world.

— Alex Correia

CAST

Destiny Barbour

Heschel Bay is from Boston, Massachusetts. He is a junior getting his BFA in Acting at Purchase college. He has done many roles at Purchase Rep. This year he has been Hlestakov in The Government Inspector, Kitty and Lady Catherine Debourg in Pride and Prejudice. Special thanks to clowns everywhere.

Lidia Callau is a Third year in the Acting BFA at Purchase college. She was born in Zaragoza, Spain and came to New York to study acting.  In the past Lidia has played Mrs.Smith in “The Bald Soprano” by Eugene Ionesco, Girl and Husband in “The Good Doctor” by Neil Simon, and Federico in “Toc Toc” by Julian Quintanilla. Lidia would like to thank her beautiful family, friends, and the artists in her life.

Elizabeth Cuite is an actor from New York’s Hudson Valley. She recently studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London where she played Lady Macbeth in RADA’s production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Other favorite roles include Juror Number 10 in Twelve Angry Men and Kate Keller in The Miracle Worker. Elizabeth has appeared in several television shows and can be seen in the indie horror film Tenants. Aside from acting she is a singer and songwriter. She is thrilled to be performing in The Seagull with the incredible members of Company 50. Much love to her family and friends.

Jakob DeDona is a third year BFA actor from Oak Ridge, North Carolina. Purchase Rep credits include Peter in the Good Doctor. Others include Ser Thomas Grey in Raleigh’s Theater in the Park. He thanks his friends and family who support his every endeavor. 

Matthew Dennis is a third year BFA actor from Manhattan, NY. Past credits include: John Proctor (The Crucible), Dr. William Alanson White (Never the Sinner) and The Sexton/Policeman (The Good Doctor). Much love to his mother, father, sister and friends for their love and support.

Trygve Gundersen is a third year BFA actor from Madison, Wisconsin. Recent Credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mustardseed/Philostrate) at Tier 5 Theatre Company, The Good Doctor (Navy, Boy) at SUNY Purchase, and Antigone (Guard) at Westside Players. Special thanks to Mandy! 

Nora Nilsen Healy is a third year BFA actor from Los Angeles, California. Purchase Rep credits include The Good Doctor (Drowned Man and Wife).

Vivian Lee comes from Maryland and is a junior at the Purchase Acting Conservatory. In the past, they have played the Voice and Irena in “The Good Doctor” by Neil Simon. Vivian would like to thank their family and obviously their cat for bringing them this far. 

Lilia Morrison

Gabe Stein 

PRODUCTION & CREATIVE

Shira Barnir

Nolan Belcher is a fourth year BFA Lighting Designer. His previous Purchase Rep credits include Angels In America Pt.1 (ALD), Heroes of the Fourth Turning (ALD), F*cking A (ALD). Other credits include Purchase Dance Company 2024 (Assoc. LD). Special thanks to his team, and his family for their endless support.

Mayo Bernal

Necha Bishop 

Maddy Calvani

Fei Cheng is a third year BFA Scenic designer from Taipei, Taiwan. She was the Scenic Assistant Designer for Pride and Prejudice in 2024, and is the Associate Scenic Designer for The Seagull and Stick Fly in the spring season, 2025. She would like to thank Tyler Franks!

Ethan Chichester 

Gillian Cornelison

Patrick Forde 

Ella Griswold

Gus Gustafson

Chelsey Harvey

Landri Elkins

Ash Flippen

Brooklynn John is a third year BFA design/technology major from Brooklyn, NY. Purchase Rep credits include: F*cking A/Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Lead Shop Carpenter/Production Carpenter), and Titus Andronicus (Lead Shop Carpenter). Many thanks to her family and friends who support her in pursuing the arts!

Elle Kuban

 Jeison Lenis Lopez is a fourth year BFA scenic designer. His past credits are Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus (Assistant scenic designer), Heroes of the fourth turning, Fucking A (Scenic charge) and The Attic (Props charge.) Special thanks to all his friends and families support!  

Sierra Madison, Assistant Costume Designer is delighted to be working on The Seagull for Purchase College. Recent credits include Costume Designer for Luna Gale at Purchase College, Assistant Costume Designer for Ben Butler, Noises Off, and Deathtrap at Peterborough Players. She is also in her final year of school for Costume Design and Technology B.F.A. at Purchase College. Thank you to all friends and family who have supported her on this journey!

Ellie McIntyre is a current fourth-year BFA stage manager from Noblesville, IN. Their Purchase credits include, ‘Yerma’ (PSM),‘Titus Andronicus’ (SM), ‘Machinal’ (SM), ‘Good Goods’ (ASM), and ‘Senior Showcase’ (ASM). Other credits include Cape Playhouse 2023 Season (PA). They would like to thank their Nana and Grandpop for supporting every show they’ve done at Purchase.

Logan Middendorf

Andy Moreta Castillo is a third-year BFA Lighting Designer from The Bronx, New York. Purchase credits include: Heroes of the Fourth Turning(Programmer), F*cking A(Programmer), Socrates(Production Electrician), Angels in America Pt.1(Programmer), Titus Andronicus(Production Electrician). Much love his family and friends for all their support!

Chelsea Ovalle

Eliza Porsella

Natalie Saint-Rossy is a 4th year design/tech BFA student with a concentration in costume design and construction. Past Purchase credits include Socrates (Costume Designer), Intimate Apparel (Draper), Titus Andronicus (First Assistant). Other credits include Stitcher and Costume Administration Apprentice at The Glimmerglass Festival. Natalie would like to thank her lovely family back in Virginia and all her fellow seniors, there’s no better group she can imagine walking the stage with.

Francesca Rae Shaloum

Julia Rau

Wiley Sadlier

Anshika Singh

Kristen Sorano

Will Schwerin is a Junior BFA Theater Design/Tech Sound Designer. His past credits include The Seagull (Sound Designer) The Tempest (Sound Designer) Orlando (Sound Designer) Titus Andronicus (Assistant Sound Designer) Machinal (Sound Designer). He would like to thank Sunny, Matt and the rest of DT for making this a possibility. He would also like to thank his family and friends for their support. 

Katie Thorn is a fourth year theater design/technology major with a concentration in stage management from Poughkeepsie, NY. Some of her Purchase credits include: Luna Gale (SM) As You Like It (ASM), and Fefu and Her Friends (ASM) Other credits include: Le Dernier Sorcier (Spot Cue Caller), Le Prophète (Spot Cue Caller), and Henri VIII (Spot Cue Caller) at Summerscape at Bard college. She would like to give a big thank you to her partner, friends and family for all the support and love. 

Dyonne Torijano

Cameron Wright

Alex Correia is a director and educator. Directing Credits include: Coriolanus and Julius Caesar at the Juilliard School, and Adults Only by Dean Imperial. For the Purchase Acting Conservatory he has directed: The Aliens by Annie Baker, Bastille Day by Edwidge Danticat, and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Alex served as Resident Director for INTAR Theatre (2008/09) and INTAR’s Actors Collective (2006-2009). Education: Graduate of the Juilliard School Directing Program and holds a BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College. Currently finishing up a Short Film and in development of another short film. Is looking forward to starting up his garden again and growing some veggies this summer. 

In our teaching and art, the Conservatory values inclusiveness, equality, and excellence. Upholding all of our training is our aim to train and graduate citizen artists: multifaceted people with a strong sense of purpose in approaching an arts education.

What is a citizen artist? Citizen artists seek to discover how their unique voices can contribute to our world. They understand what it means to be an artist, and what they are here on earth to say and do and make.

The Conservatory trains future citizen artists in three degree programs:

+ BFA Actor Training. The BFA is an intensive professional training program offered to a highly select and diverse group of students. The professional training is anchored in four years of study in acting, voice, speech, and movement, complemented by offerings in dramatic literature and analysis, history of the theatre, stage combat, improvisation, mask work, acting for the camera, and the business of acting. As one of five schools in the Consortium of Professional Theatre Training Programs, Purchase is one of a handful of colleges in the world capable of training artists at this level—and of drawing a faculty from the ranks of professional theatre

+ BFA in Theatre Design/Technology. Emphasizing studio and classroom training, our professional training program in theatre design/technology gives students the guidance and support of established and theatre industry professionals. Many of our alumni are recognized at the top of their field, and have received Tony, Emmy, Obie, and Drama Desk Awards, among other honors. Quite literally, Purchase grads are working in or have worked in every theatre on Broadway, in all tristate venues, and with countless touring productions

+ BA program in Theatre and Performance. From traditional theatre to cutting-edge interdisciplinary work, the theatre and performance major encourages creativity, intellectual curiosity, social engagement, and critical thinking. The core requirements combine scholarship and practice to provide students with a strong foundation in theatre history and dramatic literature, with mandatory stagecraft/production courses. Theatre and Performance majors are encouraged to expand the scope of their education by studying abroad, as well as pursuing coursework in other programs of study within the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Purchase College.