This fall, the QCHS Theatatrical Arts Club has delivered a live adaptation of Bram Stokers, “Dracula.” However, this year, the club took on a different approach to their work an elevated performance through themes of madness and maturity. The play premiered this past Friday and continued to play through the rest of the weekend. Tickets were placed at $15 upon entry but $12 if purchased online.
Upon entering the school, viewers were met with enthralling decorations that encapsulated the unsettling ‘vibe’ that would arise from the play, including a backdrop for pictures, cobweb decor, and a refreshments table. Everything was well thought out and on theme. The refreshments table even had Hawaiian Punch in blood bags! Creative and delicious.
The storyline follows a vampire in Europe at the end of the Victorian Age looking for new victims while posing as a man attempting to procure a house, couple Jonathan Harker and Mina Murray fall victim to the vampire’s unbecoming charm along with losing several of their companions during the battle. Despite hardship, the downfall of Dracula becomes hard to ignore. His death, performed by Gywn Trumbore, provides a sense of relief over the characters as the ‘war’ ends.
As for the play itself, director Tyler Kitchenman and student director Jess Meirinho delivered a brilliant take on “Dracula” with elements of mature themes, creative stage sets, spectacular casting, as well as costuming. The cast delivered an overwhelmingly impressive performance filled with emotion and passion. Everyone played their characters exceptionally well and completely immersed themselves in their work. It felt like watching a Broadway performance seeing how cohesive the students worked with one another as actors to perform and put on a show. The amount of care they put into the play was unprecedented and respected. My favorite moment was when Bree Kuliga’s character, Mina Murray, realized her strength and decided she needed to take matters into her own hands. Kuliga portrayed the dynamicity of Mina Murray’s personality and conscious mind in a manner that was enthralling and entertaining. All of the actors created a stage presence impossible to look away from.
The work executed throughout this fall adaption has been, without a doubt, incredibly and meticulously executed. Every student involved deserves none other than absolute praise for balancing school and other extracurricular activities as well as the play! Dedication cannot go unnoticed especially when their performances were this entertaining. Congratulations to everyone involved in the play! These students have a bright future within the theatrical arts.
