TCU’s Department of Theatre presented “Three Sisters” by Anton Chekhov from Tuesday, Sept. 30 through Friday, October 3 and on Sunday, October 5.

The play takes place in a town in Russia where three sisters—Olga, Masha and Irina—live. Their dream is to live in Moscow, but over the years that dream becomes more distant.

Olga, Masha and Irina are played by junior theatre major Mackenzie Schulien, junior theatre major Madison Calhoun, and sophomore theatre major Kendra Oates.

Krista Scott, assistant professor of voice and acting and director of “Three Sisters,” said the theatre faculty and students came together to decide which plays they would present.

“We haven’t done a Chekhov play here for, I don’t know, it’s been over 11 years,” Scott said. “We just felt like it was time because Chekhov is such an important part of the modern theatre movement.”

Sophomore theatre major Hannah Wright said she thought the play was surprisingly funny.

“I know it’s such a tragic story and I just thought it was so hilarious and everyone did such a good job,” Wright said.

Sophomore strategic communication major Cami Fannin said it was heartbreaking in a way, but was lightened by the humor in the play.

“I think everyone did such a great job,” Fannin said. “I wouldn’t have known they were student actors. They just seem so professional, and it was a really well-done show.”

Scott said people can relate to this play because Chekhov deals with the universal human experience.

“This play particularly is dealing with a sort of existentialism of why do we live, why are going through this time, what does it mean in our lives? Or if we’re not going to have benefit from the work we do, the suffering we do, will someone else at least in the future benefit from it?” Scott said. 

“That seems to be one of the major questions of the play.”

First-year pre-business major Mary D’Alise said the play was made relatable to students through the use of their dialogue.

“They just make it more easy to understand,” D’Alise said. “They make it more of our language and slang instead of the old fashioned way of talking.”

Wright said Masha was her favorite character.

“I just liked how she was portrayed,” Wright said. “I thought she was very realistic and I felt that I just connected with her character in so many levels. She was so dynamic and she grew so much through out the performance.”

Wright said she thought the crew put a lot of thought into what people from that era would be doing and wearing.

“Past few years, I’ve seen about 10 performances on this campus and that was one of my favorite sets by far,” Wright said. “I felt that the set just really brought it all home and brought it all together.”