University High School prepares for fall play ‘Rossum’s Universal Robots’

The University High School (U-High) is preparing for its fall play with excitement as rehearsals are underway for “Rossum’s Universal Robots,” a production that promises to captivate audiences with its exploration of themes surrounding artificial intelligence. Scheduled to run from November 14 to 16 at 7 p.m. each night, the performances will be held in the Sherry Lansing Theater.

The play, often referred to by its acronym “R.U.R.,” was penned in the 1920s by Czech playwright Karel Čapek. This classic piece is regarded as a pioneering work in the science fiction genre, introducing the world to the concept of robots rebelling against their human creators—a story that resonates strongly today given rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.

Director Matt Boresi expressed that the decision to bring “R.U.R.” to the stage was influenced by its alignment with contemporary discussions around technology. “We’re entering an exciting but scary era of artificial intelligence,” he commented. “We’re wrestling with it on a personal level with things like how we write our research papers, but also on a larger level of what technology we are allowing into our lives. This is a play that addresses that.”

The cast includes Sophomore Eliza Feigenbaum, who takes on the role of Helena, a robot character pivotal to the play’s narrative. Eliza highlighted the enduring relevance of the play’s themes, noting, “What’s really impressive about this play is how relevant it is to the present day, since it was written over 100 years ago. At the end of the play, all the humans are dead because the robots have taken over.”

Adding further diversity to the play is junior Addy Johnson in the role of engineer Fabry. Addy appreciates the unique blend of comedy and seriousness, saying, “It’s humorous but it’s also very interesting.” She further commented on the distinctive nature of “R.U.R.” compared to other high school theatre productions, noting the rewrites and edits to the script have made it more engaging and accessible for a modern audience.

Director Boresi highlights an important aspect of this production: its emphasis on ensemble performance rather than focusing on one or two principal characters. “The way we have edited the script, it is very much an ensemble piece,” he explained. “The rehearsals we’ve had so far have really felt like a bunch of artists working together to tell a story.”

The performance rehearsals have transformed the Sherry Lansing Theater into a hub of creativity and collaboration as the cast and crew prepare to showcase a play that melds historical intrigue with contemporary concerns. “Rossum’s Universal Robots” is expected to offer audiences an engaging experience, prompting them to reflect on the implications of technological advancements in today’s world.

Source: Noah Wire Services