The University Players posted the cast list Thursday for their next production of Chekov’s “The Seagull.”

“The Seagull” is the Russian playwright’s first major work, written in 1895, and is categorized as a situational comedy, according to the director of the theatre department, Rich Larsen.

“The playwright sets forth some fairly specific facets of the characters that he’s created,” Larsen said. “We are sometimes very lucky … and he had some choices this time. It’s always good when directors don’t have to settle and they can really explore different options of characters.”

The work’s focus uses the romantic relationships between characters to propel the plot. The play’s four lead characters: Konstantine, the aspiring writer; Arkadina, his overdramatic mother; Sorin, the aged landowner; and Nina, a fledgling actress.

“Mark Kopas is playing Konstantine, and the lead female role is being played Samantha Morales, who was in ‘columbinus,’” “The Seagull” director, Michael O’Steen, said.

“She’s (Morales) Arkadina, the mother. She’s a very theatrical, dramatic woman, a true diva — who wants nothing to do with her son.”

The role of Sorin will be played by Anthony Mercado, a veteran actor who has appeared in 13 plays at The University. The role of Nina will be played by Vanessa Relvas, who is tasked with portraying a character that is a hopeless romantic hoping to become an actress.

“I’ve worked with Anthony, and cast him a lot. I cast him as Sorin. It’s a very complex and troubling role. Some of the students interpreted the role as a bitter, sour old man, but he is not bitter and sour,” O’Steen said.

“He has not gotten some of the things in life that he wanted, but he’s one of the few people who has come to grips with it and is happy with it.”

The eight remaining supporting roles were also revealed. Shamrayev will be played by Andrew Calogero. Polina will be played by Heather Lucas. Masha will be played by Kassidy Jordan. Trigorin will be played by Michael Flynn. Medvedenko will be played by Eric Lutz. Paul Boye will play the role of Dorn. Sarah Neitz will play the maid. Justin Kieser will play Yakov.

“Vanessa Relvas was in ‘columbinus,’ and Erick Lutz was in ‘Red Herring’ earlier this year. I’ve seen them on the stage, in things I did not direct. I realized that ‘Wow, I’d like to work with them,’” O’Steen said.

“I’m excited to work with some of the actors that I’ve worked with before, and some of them were a little nervous when I didn’t call them back because they didn’t realize that I already cast them.

“Some actors, I’ve had in classes, and they haven’t performed on this stage yet, and some are freshmen. Some are upperclassmen, who I’ve had in classes. I’m excited about working with them in a director/actor relationship, rather than an acting teacher and student relationship. Its very different, because acting class is about developing your acting skills, whereas working on the plate is about telling the story of the play.”