The MSU Friends of Theatre and MSU Department of Theatre are pleased to announce the opening of our free “Behind the Scenes” season of classes exploring the inner workings of select 2025-2026 MSU student productions. Please join us with our first class of the season.
Two plays in repertory –
Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull & Aaron Posner’s Stupid F**king Bird
October 4-12
Don’t miss this exciting, rare opportunity to revisit a classic Chekhov tale juxtaposed with a modern adaptation that offers new insights. “BEHIND THE SCENES” classes are composed of two discussion sessions separated by a two-week opportunity to attend a performance of the MSU student productions under discussion
A DOUBLE FEATURE
The Seagull and Stupid F**king Bird
SESSION ONE: The initial discussion of these two plays will be presented by MSU Professor Rob Roznowski, from the MSU Dept of Theatre. This session will be held at the MSU Federal Credit Union from 3 to 5 pm on Thursday, Oct 2, 2025. .
THE PLAYS: There will be a two-week opportunity to attend both plays at MSU’s Arena Theatre, located on the lower level of the Auditorium building on the MSU Campus, on the day and time of your choosing. Parking is available across the street from the Auditorium building.
SESSION TWO: After the plays close, a second discussion-style session will be held at the Credit Union on Thursday, Oct 16, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with faculty & students involved in the productions which is always an exciting and informative experience.
When: Thursday, October 2, 3-5pm and Thursday, October 16, 3-5pm
Where: The MSU Federal Credit Union is located at the corner of Farm Lane and Mt. Hope Road in East Lansing. Classes are held in the Community Room, which can be entered from the east side of the building. Parking is available and free.
Cost: The classes are FREE. To purchase tickets to the plays, call the WHARTON CENTER Ticket Office at (517) 432-2000 or toll-free at 1-800-WHARTON. The cheapest way to purchase tickets is to go in person to Wharton Center.
Registration: Please submit this REGISTRATION FORM: https://forms.gle/w3ghTDH65FacMdvP6 to secure a spot. If you have any questions, please contact Kath Clark at clarkk98@msu.edu or (517) 884-7796. Seating is limited.
Play Synopsis for The Seagull and Stupid F**king Bird:
Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull is a classic exploration of love, art, and human longing. Set on a Russian country estate, the play follows a group of artists, writers, and dreamers whose intertwined desires and ambitions lead to moments of tenderness, rivalry, and disillusionment. Against the backdrop of the natural world, Chekhov examines the fragile pursuit of truth and meaning, revealing the complexities of relationships and the sacrifices often demanded by the creative life.
In Aaron Posner’s Stupid Fucking Bird, Chekhov’s timeless themes from The Seagull are given a sharp, irreverent, and deeply human modern twist. Set in a contemporary world of artists, lovers, and dreamers, the play strips away the period trappings to reveal raw, questions about creativity, desire, and purpose. With biting humor and aching vulnerability, Posner’s characters break the fourth wall, challenge theatrical conventions, and confront the messy, often absurd realities of love and art in the twenty-first century.
SPECIAL INVITATION FROM ROB ROZNOWSKI: TALK BACK AFTER OCT 12TH MATINEE:
Please join us on Sunday October 12th at 4:00 PM for a discussion on the issues raised in both plays with experts from MSU’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services, Christian Gibson (CAPS Embedded Counselor in the College of Music and College of Arts and Letters) and Olivia Scott (CAPS Assistant Director of Outreach and Community Engagement.) The talkback and information session will use the plays as a springboard to discuss common depictions of suicide as well as how to support yourself and others who may be thinking of suicide.
Meet our Guest Lecturer:
Rob Roznowski
Rob Roznowski is an award-winning actor, author, director, educator, and playwright. He is a Professor at Michigan State University where he was awarded the “Mid-Michigan Alumni Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching”, “Michigan Professor of the Year Award” from the President’s Council State Universities of Michigan,” and “The President’s Distinguished Teaching Award.” He is also a William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty recipient.
Future sessions in the Behind the Scenes series will feature the plays “Othello” (November) and Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” (February 2026). Details and registration will be announced at a future time.