Presented by Mark Cuddy, Founding Artistic Director, The Classics Company and Artistic Director Emeritus, Geva Theatre

Mark Cuddy, acclaimed director and arts leader, will explore the explosive artistic shift that transformed theater at the end of the 19th century. Playwrights such as Anton Chekhov, Henrik Ibsen, August Strindberg, George Bernard Shaw, and Oscar Wilde radically redefined dramatic storytelling which ushered in the era of modern drama. Mark will describe the social, political, and artistic forces that shaped this movement, with particular attention to the works of Chekhov and the cultural atmosphere of pre-revolutionary Russia. Drawing from his career, spanning more than 100 productions and leadership roles at six theaters nationwide, Cuddy will also reflect on his 27 years at Geva Theatre and share highlights from his extensive directorial portfolio. His insights offer a rare perspective on how classic works continue to resonate with contemporary audiences and why they remain essential to the American theatrical landscape.