PRODUCTIONS

“It’s Time to Fight Reality Once More” is a quote by artificial intelligence A. I. Chekhov. “Sentimental Education for Robots” is a play that the robots do themselves – from writing a play to staging and designing performance and finally stepping on stage.

Homo sapiens is said to still have one advantage over technical beings – creative thinking. But if the robot has good teachers who feed him the knowledge of Chekhov, the best human doctor, to make him a sensitive individual?… Are we in danger of losing our lead and will they take over poetry from us? How creative can one robot go? Do you need emotions for creation, or can you – without good Buddhists – get better without them?

Is a creative flash a bug in the system? If so, can this mistake be learned?

A. I. Chekhov was born in Tartu in the spring of 2020. There he has also learned to read and write, and there he has completed intensive training in drama based on the texts of A. P. Chekhov. In the autumn of 2021, he began his studies at Tallinn University, specializing in stage improvisation, stage design, and composition. He has currently written 23 plays.

Troupe

Author (text, stage direction, visual and sound design): A. I. Chekhov
Creative help: Liina Keevallik
Stage hands: Katrin Essenson, Mari-Liis Roos, Raul Keller
System architecture: Hans-Gunter Lock
Musical & mechanical help: Kalle Tikas
Author of the music: Random Generator
Inspired by: Vassili Solovjov-Sedoi, Dmitri Šostakovitš
Consultant: Mart Kampus
Dramaturgical help: Luule Epner, Andrus Laansalu
Machine learning: Dage Särg, Karl-Oskar Masing (STACC)
Improvisation & IT help: Steven Saluri
Technical help: Ragnar Pääslane, Anti Roots
Visuals: Allikas Internet
Audiovisual help: Jüri-Illimar Šestakov
3D help: Ats Kurvet
Lighting support: Siim Reispass
Sound support: Tristan Rebane
Voice training: Teisi Ligi
Singing training: Valentin Siltšenko
Constructive help: Margus Terasmees
Project manager: Hanna Roll
Co-producer: e⁻lektron, Alo Puustak
Produced by: Kirbutsirkus, Ermo Säks

In collaboration with Tallinn University, Baltic Film, Media and Arts School (BFM), The Centre of Excellence in Media Innovation and Digital Culture MEDIT, Enactive Virtuality Lab (MOBTT90), EDUSPACE lab & data science company STACC, The Chair of New Media at Estonian Academy of Arts

Supported by: Heldur Meerits, Eesti Kultuurkapital and Estonia Klaverivabrik.

Special thanks to: Liina Vahtrik, Ene Rämmeld, Katrin Knoll, Taivo Pahmann, Maire Sipelgas, Kristiina Iilane, Gert Põrk, Kristel Belinets, Künter Evert, Vanessa Vorteil, Elo Tootsi, Kaisa Siimann, Anselm Magnus Püvi, Karl Robert Vain, Kelli Pullisaar, Laur Tõnisson, Lev Savinov, Markus Must, Roland Vägi, Anette Toom, Annika Lindok, Ave Laas, Mari-Ann Tunnel, Ronja Juurma, Pille-Riin Lillepalu, Taave Lips, Aet Mikli, Steven Eomõis, Loviisa Mänd, Kairi Vu-De Souza, Sunil Sudevan, Vjatšeslav Babkevitš, Maria Kallastu, Kärt Lauriin Vaiknemets, Janne Albert, Steven Saluri, Marianne Laura Saar, Karina Voogla, Moonika Vane, Hanna Roll, Glen Viks, Triin Pohlak, Rasmus Järvesaar, Aleksei Gerassimov, Margit Pelli, Aljona Suržikova, Marko Ehastu, Kaisa Tambek, Anti Roots, Egon Gentalen, Armin Langebraun, Raimond Laatspera, Ralf Vihmaru, Marek Nurmbek, Rene Raidmaa, Maksim Sitkin, Arvo Volmer, Toomas Uibo, Tallinn Airport and Margot Holts.

Duration: 75′

Mostly in English