October 9, 2025
SVSU Theatre reboots a robot revolution with “R.U.R.: An AI Musical Melodrama”
Saginaw Valley State University’s Department of Theatre will bring together human creativity and artificial intelligence with “R.U.R.: An AI Musical Melodrama,” running Wednesday, Oct. 15 through Sunday, Oct. 19, in the Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts.
The innovative production reimagines “R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots),” the 1920 play by Czech writer Karel Čapek that first introduced the word “robot” to the world. In the original, a scientist discovers how to manufacture life-like machines capable of thought. When those machines gain human-like emotions, they rise up against their creators, posing questions about ethics, labor and technology that resonate as deeply today as they did a century ago.
SVSU’s production began as an experiment in the creative capabilities of AI.
“This project flips the usual theatre conversation,” said Tommy Wedge, associate professor of theatre. “Instead of asking whether AI belongs in the arts, we’re exploring how to use it ethically, creatively and collaboratively.”
Along with colleagues Jerry Dennis, technical director, Phillip Hanson, lecturer of art, and Norman Wika, professor of Music, Wedge transformed Čapek’s classic into a contemporary musical powered in part by artificial intelligence. The team collaborated with AI tools to create dialogue, generate lyrics and compose music. Text prompts and AI-generated content will be projected above the stage, revealing how the digital and human imaginations intertwine in real time.
The show features a cast of 15 SVSU students performing live vocals set to an AI-assisted soundtrack, blending traditional stagecraft with cutting-edge technology. Developed during summer 2025, the production marks a bold step forward in SVSU Theatre’s commitment to innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Cast members include:
• Elliott Bell, a social studies major from Auburn, in the role of Domin
• Stephanie Crachiolo, a music major from Sterling Heights, in the role of Helena Glory
• Lissa Danks, a theatre major from Bay City, in the role of Fabry
• Isabel Losa, a theatre major from Saginaw, in the role of PR1MUS
• Rylee Mecomber, an English education major from Midland, in the role of Alquist
• Zoe Piotrowski, an English education major from Bay City, in the role of Busman
• Brook Treynor, a psychology major from Greenville, in the role of Dr. Gall
Members of the robot ensemble are:
• Maddie Casper, a social studies major from Saginaw
• Jaiden Gardner, a theatre major from North Branch
• CeCe Goulette, a teacher education major from Cass City
• Abigail Grifka, a criminal justice major from Saginaw
• Cooper Sawyer, an English education major from Mt. Pleasant
• Leo Schynk, a theatre major from Cologne, Germany
• AJ Triantaflos, a theatre major from Ovid
• Addison Williams, a cell biology, molecular biology and biomedical sciences major from Otsego
Performances will be held Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 15-18, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 plus fees and are available online or at the SVSU ticket booth. SVSU students can obtain free tickets when using their student ID online or at the box office. This performance is recommended for ages 13+.
Note: A portion of this story was written with the assistance of ChatGPT.