The UC High theatre students are creating a production of Dracula that will take place in the auditorium from October 29 to 31, aiming to give the audience a scare.
Senior Anouk Barner was cast as the lead, Dracula. Barner said, “The audience should come see the show because it’s a horror, which is perfect for Halloween. It’s sure to be a really impressive, fun show.”
Junior Isabel Ledezma, who plays the role of Mina, said, “Our cast and crew have come together to present an achingly thrilling performance, one that I can guarantee will leave viewers thoroughly satiated.”
Theatre and Tech Theatre Teacher Nia Hilton, the production director, said, “I want people to be genuinely afraid and scared, a little bit uncomfortable in their seats. Dracula is about the unknown; it’s about finding out the truth, the essence of humanity.”
Ledezma added, “The audience can expect chilling mystery, romance and intrigue.” Barner said, “You can expect lots of suspense. You can also expect some romance and really interesting characters. Overall, I think the show is very exciting and action packed, so it’s perfect for Halloween!”
Barner said, “We were initially thinking about genderbending Dracula entirely for the show, but in the end I decided to kind of play Dracula as a more androgynous character. He has this sort of otherworldly nature to him, and I think that Dracula wouldn’t be bound by the same gender norms as humans in 1800s England.” Hilton shared that the version of the play they are doing is based on the novel.
Hilton has been working very hard on making her vision come to life. She said, “Over the course of a couple months, I get to have an idea in my head and then the whole thing happens in real life. It’s so lovely to see so many students be a part of it, from actors, to costumes, to sets, to lighting, to publicity. It’s really cool.” Hilton has been teaching high school theatre for five years and before that she taught elementary and middle school theatre for four years.
Barner shared that coming into the role of Dracula has been a very interesting experience for her. Barner stated, “This play has definitely required a lot more character work and working with my physicality on stage. Dracula has a very particular way of carrying himself because he is not human; working on honing that in has been really challenging.”
While the play has been fun to make, it has not necessarily come with ease. Hilton said, “The most challenging part of the play is the most rewarding part at the same time, and that is balancing everybody’s creative ideas. Theatre is such a collaborative process, which I love about it, but it also means that each step goes through the minds of 20 people and all of their ideas and the reasons why something will or will not work.” Hilton shared that the end result shows how well everyone’s ideas click together to form something incredible.
Coaches Ashley Harbecke and Kelsey Jenkins shared that they are very excited for the play. “Every play that I have seen has been amazing, and I am always in the Halloween spirit, so I think Dracula is perfect timing for it,” said Harbecke. Jenkins said, “I expect to see something scary but fun and kind of getting me ready for Halloween. I’m excited to see our students perform.”
Ledezma explained that Centurions should join theatre, because it is an eye-opening experience. Ledezma stated, “I would want every chance to keep being in this community of great people.”