Clark Stevens (M.F.A. '96) Directs The Sea Gull

Performance at U.I.L. State One-Act Play Finals

Treplyev, Arkadina, Nina, Masha. . . all of your favorite Chekhov characters will come to life on stage at Bass Concert Hall in Austin, Texas on May 5th in the 5A State One-Act Play finals.

Stevens, now in his third year as Director of Theatre at Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, promises a production that is clear, humorous and of course. . . depressing (it's Chekhov). Since graduation from UT, Stevens has worked as an actor in repertory theatre companies, Shakespeare Festivals and as vocal coach.

"Teaching High school was an experiment," Stevens said. "I found my home and I love working with these kids. The level of talent is unbelievable. Most of them go to universities outside of Texas - my seniors move on to training programs like Juilliard, The Guthrie Program, Rutgers, North Carolina, and I am really proud of their work in this production. Interestingly enough, the actress playing Nina will attend UT in the fall. So there is a unique pattern in effect here - My high school theatre teacher was a UT grad, my favorite university teacher was a UT grad and now as a UT grad myself, I'm sending one of my finest students on her way to complete the cycle. I am a huge believer in the U.I.L. One-Act play experience because that is where it all really started for me in the tenth grade. After eight years of various visiting professor jobs, I landed this high school theatre job and I love it more than anything I've ever done in education."

Clark Stevens directs The Sea Gull at the UT Performing Arts Center's Bass Concert Hall around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 5th.