Widely considered one of the world's greatest writers, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was born on January 29, 1860, in Taganrog, Russia. In 1879 he entered the University of Moscow to study medicine and graduated in 1884. He kept a strict writing schedule and continued to practice medicine for the rest of his life. In addition to his numerous short stories, many considered masterpieces of the form, Chekhov wrote over a dozen plays, among them the classics of Western dramatic literature UNCLE VANYA, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, THE THREE SISTERS, and THE SEAGULL.

Samm-Art Williams is a playwright, screenwriter, actor, and producer. As a playwright, Williams has written HOME, WELCOME TO BLACK RIVER, FRIENDS, and other plays produced in New York, Los Angeles, and other cities. HOME received a Tony nomination as Best Broadway Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk nomination, the NAACP Image Award, and the North Carolina Governor's Award. For the screen, Samm-Art Williams has written Solomon Northup's Odyssey (PBS), John Henry (Showtime), Badges (CBS), and episodes for Cagney and Lacey, The New Mike Hammer, Miami Vice, and other programs. He has been nominated for two Emmy Awards. As an actor, he performed in Blood Simple, Huckleberry Finn, and other feature films. His television acting credits include Women of Brewster Place, Race to the Pole, Search for Tomorrow, and other productions. In addition to his writing and acting credits, he served as Executive Producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin, Good News, and other television productions. He has received the Guggenheim Fellowship, The National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship for Playwriting, and other awards for his writing.