This document provides details on casting and directing choices for a production of Anton Chekhov's play "The Seagull". It suggests casting Zooey Deschanel as Masha, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Medvedenko, Richard Griffiths as Sorin, and Ben Whishaw as Treplieff. It also discusses casting choices for other roles and includes photos of suggested actors. The document outlines that the play will take a realistic style and will focus on the conflicting desires of love, success, and family in a rotating way showing different character's perspectives. Sound and a slow pace will be used to enhance the sad mood of the production.

1. Seagull (Act l)
by Anton Checkov
Director – Corey Barber
(group 77

2. Script
 The play takes place at the end of the 19th century so the
life style of that time needs to be considered when it
comes to dialogue as well as other elements of acting.
 The Seagull is set in Russia, not only is this important to
consider when making the dialogue and considering the
accent that is needed from our actors, but the script is
affected to fit the Russian lifestyle

3. Casting
 Masha – Zooey Deschanel - A defeated young woman
who is the daughter of another character, Paulina. The
actress for this character would need to have similar
characteristics as the actress for Paulina. Zooey
Deschanel would be an idea choice due to her age,
her dark hair makes for good symbolism to her sorrow
attitude.
 Medvedenko - Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt – As
Masha and Medvedenko have an emotional
connection, it makes sense to cast an actor of the
same age

4. Casting
 Sorin - Richard Griffiths – Sorin is an elderly land owner who owns the estate
that the play (in the performance) takes place. His age should be
considered, but also a huskier outlook could help represent his wealth.
 Triplieff - Ben Whishaw – A young man looking to find his way through the
shadows of his successful mother. Often nervous and easily upset and a
protagonist, casting a skinnier male would be more fitting.

5. Richard Griffiths
Ben Whishaw

6. Casting
 Nina – Elena Satine – Nina is an unfortunate girl with hopes for
love as well as success in the acting world. She is young and
beautiful. Elena was also raised in Russia, making it easier for her
dialogue.
 Paulina - Sherilyn Fenn – As the mother of Masha, features such
as hair color should try to be similar, thought not completely
nessecary. However she should be noticeably older than
Marsha’s actress.
 Dorin – Christian Bale – Other than being a doctor, Dorin is
known as a handsome ladies man. Casting a good looking
actor would be preferable for Dorin.

7. Elena Satine
Bale
Sherilyn Fenn Christian

8. Casting
 Arkadina – Julianne Moore - The mother of Treplieff and a
famous actor. When casting her role it is important to consider
her age as well as making her look like a famous actress.
 Shamraeff – Tommy Lee Jones - Father of Masha, Shamraeff is
known for being embarrassing to Masha and his wife Paulina.
 Trigorin – George Clooney - Arkadina’s lover and a very
successful writer. Obviously when casting his age might be up
their with Arkadina’s, however considering her status he should
be decently good looking.
 Jacob – Lucas Till – Jacob is a workman, so his age can vary but
he is likely young considering he would be moving heavy objects
often.

9. Julianne Moore
George Clooney
Tommy Lee Jones
Lucas Till

10. Spine
 The Spine of The Seagull is the hopeless, and almost comical,
strive for love and success from all the characters involved.
 Several characters long for each other and strive to reach some
kind of connection.
 Most characters in The Seagull strive for success above all else,
such as Nina is her acting or Triplieff in play writiting, though they
long for each other their success is more important inititally.

11. Theme
 A reoccurring idea and perhaps the main theme of
The Seagull would be “hopeless love ,“and, “family,”
in the life of an artist.
 This theme would be demonstrated through the
conflict of success verses love
 Through costume designs a gothic line of outfits
would represent the sorrow that is the state of the
characters throughout this act, and it would keep
some consistency considering the time period.
 Lights would consist of darker cool colors, which
would best set the mood for an empty and/or
depressed atmosphere to which most of the
characters endure.

12. Theme (cont)
 To implement the sorrow
atmosphere, there will be a winter
setting implemented. Harsh snowy
nights compliment a sad mood well.

13. Style
 The spine of the play is a, “hopeless strive for love and success.”
 The theatrical style towards this through line would often be realism
 As most people in real life push each day to reach their goals of
love and success, the same is true for this play
 Most characters have their own story which can easily be
related to a normal life
Triplieff constantly strives for success as well as the love of
Nina.
Paulina is in a relationship but questions her commitment of
this relationship.

14. Directorial Concept
 This play is centered around the conflicting desires of love ,success,
and family.
 What should be taken away is that there is a balance of these
elements in a persons life, and that to focus more on one will
take away from the other two.
 All the protagonists in this play have this problem.
 This play will not center around one person the entire time, it will
rotate its attention to different character’s point of view and the
audience will see how they handle their conflict differently than
the others.

15. Directorial Concept (Cont.)
 Sound can also be used to enhance a mood
 The sound of a bell tower after an emotional
scene can be an enhancer to the scene’s
mood
 An orchestra will instantly create, or help
build on, a sad mood.
 The play will be slow paced in terms of the
actors movements
 Slow pace movements point to uncertainty,
sorrow, and/or disagreements