CHARLEMONT — The Academy at Charlemont’s winter play reveals that people have feared AI for far longer than computers have existed.

The Academy at Charlemont’s theater program invites the public to its production of Karel Capek’s 1920 play “Rossum’s Universal Robots” for the next two weekends. Performances will take place on Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, March 10, at 2 p.m., Friday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 16, at 2 p.m. The shows will take place at the school, located at 1359 Route 2.

The Academy at Charlemont highly recommends that attendees reserve tickets in advance on the school’s website as the shows are likely to sell out. Tickets cost $10, though the final performance on March 16 is free.

The play is renowned for introducing the word “robot” to the English language. “Robot” means “worker” in Czech. In this play’s universe, humans have found a way to replicate humans without souls to do their work. This show explores how robots may experience feelings.

“It is relevant to the world of AI today,” Kim Karlin, the director, said. “It is fascinating that there was a play written about what we talk about now.”

The play delves deep into themes of the longevity of humanity, the longevity of technology and whether anthropomorphized beings can have souls.

The production involves 36 students from grades six to 12. Students run the entire production, including lighting, sound and acting.

“The demographics of students are so wide ... which is part of the fun,” Karlin said.

While The Academy at Charlemont’s drama program has existed for decades, this is Karlin’s seventh year running the department. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the school continued to provide acting opportunities for students, creating a film that was screened at the Northfield Drive-In.

The department puts on one production per year, always being the winter play. Students rehearse Monday through Thursday after school, starting in December, for about eight hours each week.

Karlin said being involved in theater boosts students’ confidence and builds character.

“If you are curious about how technology is affecting the world,” Karlin said of the upcoming production, “we are exploring one version of how it could happen.”

Reach Bella Levavi at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.