Uncle Vanya directed by Slava Dolgachev

I had the absolute pleasure of playing Yelena Andreevna in Uncle Vanya. Working with Slava was one of those once-in-a- lifetime experiences.

From 1990-2000 he was the producing director at the Moscow Art Theatre. In 2001 he was the artistic director at the Moscow New Drama Theatre, and is now a semi annual faculty member at The Actors Center. His time is highly demanded across the globe, but even in the few weeks I had with him I learned more about energy flow and finding raw and honest connection with people on stage than ever before.

Slava speaks in a poetic language about light and energy and has nailed the artistry down to almost a science. He teaches you how to litter scenes with colors of emotions and memories in a way I had never heard put to words before.

Playing Yelena made me realize how misunderstood she is as a character. People write about her as vain and lazy, but her passivity is actually what is protecting her from the emotional havoc following her feelings leads to. She courageously goes after what she wants and is continuously beaten down by life for it. Astrov adds a new color to her world and she chases it, only to be criticized and punished for her actions.