Director's Note:
I first became aware of RUR: Rossum’s Universal Robots when I was in my undergraduate program. The walls of the Green Room where the actors convened before and during any given performance were filled with posters from past years’ productions: Oh, Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feelin’ So Sad; The Piano Lesson; Hello, Dolly!; and the mysterious RUR…
I didn’t know what the title meant, but then last year I came across the play again and finally read it. I was struck, not only by the knowledge that author Karel Čapek introduced the word “robot” to the English-speaking world, but also by how relevant the plot was for our times.
The rise of AI over the past year has made some in higher education very nervous. We are unsure whether this technology is malevolent or benevolent. Yes, artificial intelligences — or robots, in the case of RUR — can make life easier in many ways. Harry Domin, General Manager of RUR, envisions a world where human beings – all human beings – are free to live lives of elevated consciousness, where their souls are unburdened by the drudgeries of labor, thanks to the robots taking over all menial tasks. Not everyone shares Domin’s vision, however. Alquist the Builder enjoys getting his hands dirty, and the idea of a life of leisure makes him restless. Meanwhile, the idealist, Helena, wants to bestow on the robots civil rights, so that they will love us, their creators. But, as Dr. Gall notes, “Do you think that a robot can be grateful?”
To take us from the present to a moment a hundred years in the past, I worked with my talented friend, David Cain, who helped me create an audio prologue piece that begins with actor, writer, and philosopher Stephen Fry likening the rise of AI to the Greek myth of Prometheus, who defied Zeus by giving fire to human beings. Fry worries that if we give “fire” to AI, they won’t need us anymore, and we will become obsolete. That sound bite is followed by a clip from Jordan Peele’s deep fake video of Barack Obama warning us of the dangers of deep fakes; then another of a journalist sounding the alarm about troublemakers who would use AI to manipulate and influence our elections. As the piece progresses, we go backward in time to the 1980s, to a robot toy named TOBY, giving his “best wishes to everybody.” From there it’s into the 1950s and further back to the 1930s, where engineers of the day extolled the virtues of their mechanical helpers, all underscored with music by Aim To Head, a dark electronic music duo out of Italy.
In creating the prologue, I hoped to not only create a time machine to take us back to 1924 but also to introduce the complexities of this issue: the frustration and elation brought on by rapidly changing technology; the anxiety, dread, and, yes, hope for the future. This juxtaposition is the essence of RUR. I hope you enjoy the show.
Special thanks to:
Bryan Arnold, David Cain, Bernd Estabrook, Hoogland Center for the Arts, Schewe Library, Springfield Theatre Centre
Cast
Sam Morgan - Domin
Sam is a sophomore who is majoring in Education with a concentration in Middle Grades Language Arts. They are a member of Mu Phi Epsilon and Alpha Psi Omega. She is very excited to be in their first lead role at Illinois College as Domin. Sam would like to thank everyone in the theatre department and their mom for supporting them through everything.
Sabrina Stamberger - Sulla/Robot
Sabrina is in her second year at Illinois College as a health science major and communication minor. She participates in the Speech and Debate team, as well as DREAM and SAGE. This is her first role in an IC production but acted in her highschool’s showings of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde as well as Dirt by Mandy Conner. She would like to give a special thanks to her best friends and family for pushing her to do things that she enjoys.
Jaden Saunders - Marius/Robot/Primus
Jaden, is a 2023 graduate of Glenwood High School. He plans on majoring in kinesiology and psychology. This is his first production at IC. He has performed in Legacy’s productions of My One and Only (New Rhythm Boy), Kinky Boots (Angel), and Bullets Over Broadway (Gangster). He has also performed with SDT, TIP, STC, and Muni. Jaden plans to be a professional tap dancer and has been awarded scholarships to multiple national tap conventions. He studied locally with Heather Morris, Andrew Maynerich, and Gary Shull; he is mentored by Mark Yonally, Chicago Tap Theatre's Artistic Director.
Lillian Deter - Helena Glory
Lillian is a sophomore at Illinois College majoring in communication and rhetorical studies with minors in theater and music. She’s president of DREAM, a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, and involved in the drum line, wind and percussion ensembles, the IC choirs, and as the theater box office manager. She’s previously been seen in a number of roles at IC, her favorites being Alyssa Greene in The Prom, and as The Creature in Iridia’s Curse. If she isn’t in the theater, she can be found in the costume shop. She would like to thank her wonderful cast mates.
Meryn Davis - Dr. Gall/Helena II
Meryn is a first-year student at Illinois College who is planning on majoring in History and Film with a minor in Theatre and Music. She has performed in many productions and performed in Metamorphoses here at IC last semester. She would like to say “Love you!” to her mom, stepdad, and her friends for supporting her.
Christopher Jones - Fabry
Christopher is a Junior at Illinois College, majoring in English, focused in creative writing, and a minor in Music, focused in vocal and piano performance. He is a member of the Zeta Omega Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, the Vice President of the IC Tabletop Gaming Club, a member of Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Blue Tie Affair, as well as a member of S.A.G.E. This is his first ever theatrical production, here at Illinois College or otherwise, and he would like to extend special thanks to his mother and sisters for being so supportive of his endeavors, and to his cat for being a good boy.
Jake Petrovich - Alquist
Jake is a sophomore at Illinois College majoring in chemistry with a minor in theater. He is the president of Smash Club, works on campus as an Involvement Leader and a Supplemental Instructor for chemistry, and is involved in the IC choirs, the Esports program, the IC Honor Society. Jake has participated in many theater activities on campus, including last year's Eurydice and The Prom, with his favorite role being Trent Oliver. When he isn't in the theater, he is living in the Lincoln Tech Center working on homework or playing Smash Ultimate with his friends. He would like to thank his family, his cast mates, and Lillian for threatening him to write this bio.
Chris Proffitt - Busman/Robot
Chris (‘02) is an IC alum. He has been in many shows in Jacksonville and Springfield. Chris always enjoys working on the IC stage.
MacKenzie Jones - Nana/Robot
MacKenzie, MJ, is a freshmen at IC, who majors in ecology as well as minors in education. She is involved in Mu Phi, Lambda Pi Delta, IC honors program, Chamber Singers, and of course theatre. She was apart of the fall show Metamorphoses, as well as played in various shows throughout high school--her favorite being “You Can’t Take It With You” playing Alice.
Gavin VanScyoc - Radius
Gavin VanScyoc is a sophomore at LLCC, transferring to Illinois State University. Although he is not a student at IC but is still very excited to be a part of his first college production. He has played Reb Tevye in a High School production of Fiddler on the Roof. He wants to thank Sam Morgan for giving him the opportunity to audition.
Creative
Aasne Daniels, M.F.A. - Director
Prof. Daniels received her MFA in acting from Northern Illinois University and has attended training intensives with Frantic Assembly, London’s renowned physical devising theatre company, and The Gaiety School of Acting, the National Theatre School of Ireland. At Illinois College, she has directed Eurydice; You on the Moors Now; The Tempest; Against the Tide; The Robber Bridegroom; Cloud Tectonics; Frankenstein; The Playboy of the Western World; Mud, River, Stone; and Terminal Café.
An actor as well as a director, Prof. Daniels most recently played the role of the Widow Quin in The Playboy of the Western World in Springfield. In her free time, Prof. Daniels is a member of Springfield’s acoustic duo, The After School Special, with her creative partner, Jerry Setnicky. The duo have released two albums of original music, including one which received an Album of the Year 2023 notice by local NPR program, The X.
Craig Steenerson - Technical Director
Craig holds a master’s degree in technical theatre from Utah State University and is the professor of technical theatre who teaches stagecraft and design courses in scenery, lighting, and sound. His recent designs include The Robber Bridegroom, Playboy of the Western World, Terminal Café, and Richard III. Professionally, Craig recently designed scenery for Cabaret at the Springfield Muni, and Snow White for Junior University in southern California (which was nominated for an Inland Theatre League Award). He took a sabbatical in 2015 and worked as a technical director for The Little Mermaid in Las Vegas working with Foy (the flying company). Craig has worked professionally in recent summers with the Redlands Theatre Festival as the production manager and lighting designer for Quilters and scenic designer for Sweeney Todd. Craig has worked tirelessly on numerous academic, summer stock, opera, and community theatre productions, and has prepared venues for incoming professional Broadway touring shows like Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, and Crystal Gayle. Craig is a board member of the Fine Arts Series and serves on the Athletics Committee. He is also the creator of the ICEBOX theatre located in Kirby.
Laurabeth Allyn - Costume Design
Laurabeth is a costume designer who has worked on productions at Illinois College, Jacksonville Theater Guild, and Theater in the Park. Laurabeth received her liberal arts degree from Texas Christian University and later a Master of Science in apparel and product technology from Florida State University. Laurabeth has been designing and making clothes since high school, but it was not until she moved to Jacksonville over 10 years ago that she started costuming.... and she has yet to stop. Since then Laurabeth has worked on many productions but has especially enjoyed All the King’s Women, Bonnie and Clyde, Richard III, Frankenstein and The Robber Bridegroom. Laurabeth loves costumes, especially when it comes to historical context. She feels the closer the dress is to the time period and characters of the play, the more connected the actors are with their roles. As always, she wants to thank her family for understanding when she disappears into the world of theatre, her best friend for all his ideas, support and help, and Aasne, Nancy and Craig for allowing her to create these worlds and help bring characters to life. She absolutely loves working with them!
Staff
Olivia Joy - Stage Manager
Olivia is a junior majoring in English & minoring in theatre. She was previously stage manager for Eurydice, The Prom, Metamorphoses and is back again for R.U.R! She wouldn't want to be anywhere else (unless it's Schewe Library). Olivia would like to thank Professor Daniels and Dr. Taylor-Porter for letting her live her pipe dream!
Allyson Holste - Assistant Stage Manager/Crew Chief
Allyson is a sophomore at Illinois College majoring in elementary education. This is her fourth show at IC; she worked backstage for Eurydice and was the crew chief of The Prom's and Metamorphoses as well as the assistant stage manager. She would like to thank her family and friends.
Crew:
Daniel Blackburn
Haven Caulfield
Ben Dobbs
Jives Efemini
Landon Neff
