Count Dracula is ageless, capable of appearing both old and young. Like his character, Dracula as art has multiple incarnations, having been adapted for stage and screen since the 1920s. There are even some campy Dracula musicals! But when the Farmington Players stage Steven Dietz’s 1996 faithful adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel, it will be timeless, dark and terrifying. And bloody!
Dracula will kick off our 2013-14 season and will also be the first show to be performed on our new stage floor. The floor’s trap door will contribute to the many special effects that director John Boufford and technical director Keith Janoch have planned for this production, which adds to the intrigue and fear factor.
Key characters with age range and accents (which are helpful but optional at auditions) include:
DRACULA (ageless), needs no introduction, but gets to say lines with a Transylvanian accent, such as: "I want your fear. For your fear, like a current, rushes through your body. Your fear makes your heart pound, it renders your veins rich and full. Your fear hemorrhages deliciously within you."
LUCY (20’s; British). A hopeless romantic admired by many suitors. Best friends with Mina, and a victim of Dracula’s seduction.
JONATHAN HARKER (20’s to early 30’s; British). Fiancé of Mina. A young attorney sent to Dracula for a nefarious purpose.
MINA (20’s; British). The true heroine of the story. Jonathan’s fiancé.
VAN HELSING (Late 30’s to 50’s; Dutch). A professor well versed in the dark arts.
JAMES SEWARD (20’s to 30’s; British). One of Lucy’s suitors who attempts to save her life.
RENFIELD (30’s-50’s). Multiple Accents. Actor must be able to go from raging extremes to intense calm. He is the narrator of the story, and the one who understands every other character although he is deemed the lunatic.
Those brave enough to face their fears and audition should appear at the Barn Theater on Sunday, August 11th (Registration at 12:30; Auditions start at 1:00.) Mandatory rehearsals are September 29 and October 6, 7, 8, 9. Show dates are October 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 31 (yes, on Halloween!) and November 1, 2.
For audition sides, go to the website at www.farmingtonplayers.org. Send questions to johnboufford@gmail.com. Other key members of the production team include assistant director Alisha Gellin and co-producers Kristi Schwartz and Laurel Stroud.
