In the spirit of spooky season, NVD theater presents its newest production, “Dracula.” Based on the book by Bram Stoker, “Dracula” is a suspenseful, vampire-centered drama woven with elements of romance and horror. However, such a classic story also presents obstacles with scripts and scenes to be worked around by the play’s cast. In light of these issues, NVD’s cast navigates the challenges “Dracula” brings in their own unique styles.
In the first place, “Dracula” is a unique pick for NVD. The show marks the first time in recent years that its actors are performing a fully dramatic piece rather than a comedic one, a genre common in previous fall plays. Actors who are used to portraying funny characters on stage must step out of their comfort zones and explore their dramatic acting skills. Senior Pablo Hernandez Ruiz, who plays the character of Van Helsing, an expert vampire hunter, has played comedic characters in previous NVD plays and acknowledges the task.
“This is my first true dramatic performance, because all my previous [performances have] normally been comedic, and I feel that’s my strong suit. Tapping into this dramatic sense is a big step,” Hernandez Ruiz said, “that’s challenging, as opposed to what I’ve done previously–this butler last year, and the year before, a nerd… so it’s definitely something different, but… I think I got it.”
On the other hand, junior Michael Fuhrmann, who plays Jonathan Harker, a realtor trapped in Dracula’s castle, embraces the genre and sees it as an opportunity to expand his skill in dramatic acting.
“Knowing that this is a drama really allows me to take vital steps towards acting more seriously, so it really helps me grasp how… this is really a serious thing,” Fuhrmann said.
Acting dramatically isn’t the only challenge the cast faces when it comes to the “Dracula” script. Being set in the 1800s, means the characters don’t interact how present day people would, making some scenes slightly awkward for the actors to rehearse with each other. To work around unnatural dynamics between characters, junior Liam Weill, who plays Dracula, establishes boundaries with the other cast members so they can work comfortably.
“There are several times in the show where [Dracula] grabs people by the neck. He takes people by the shirt and lifts them up in a way, and he’s very angry. He’s very physical, and that’s a bit of a challenge for me, because it does make me a bit uncomfortable,” Weill said. “When our director gives us [physical direction]… I would say, ‘is this okay? Am I allowed to do this? Is this contact okay?’ And… it’s been very good working with everybody to set boundaries, making sure everybody’s comfortable with the things they’re supposed to do.”
For the cast, awkward scenes are made easier to rehearse because of their friendly dynamics when stepping outside of their roles.
“Throughout some of these scenes, I think without having these connections, it’d be really weird, so I think it’s a very good thing that we can all communicate with each other and just have fun,” Fuhrmann said.
Communication is also made much easier for the cast because, unlike what viewers might initially think, “Dracula” doesn’t fully showcase social norms of the time relative to women. Rather than playing obsolete and undermining roles, the women in the show are some of its strongest characters. Jordyn Patnoi, who plays Jonathan Harker’s fiancee, Mina, talks about how her character’s feminine roots strengthen her character:
“She’s a strong woman, but she doesn’t let that come in contrast with her femininity. Her being a woman is what makes her powerful,” Patnoi said. “She’s deeply in love with her partner… but she still wants more in life than just to be a wife. She doesn’t really let that get in the way of her wanting to work… She’s a great character.”
The show’s director, David Marconi, also explains how rather than having to navigate around a dated portrayal of women, the female actors are able to work with the script, which in many cases, elevates and empowers their presentation throughout the play.
“Mina Harker specifically is presented in a way in which, I think, displays her as a woman of great strength and integrity. I think she’s presented as stronger than Jonathan is, and I think that by the end you realize the fortitude and sacrifice and the strength that she possesses. Through that character, you can see a strong presentation, a positive presentation, of women,” Marconi said.
As the cast of NVD’s “Dracula” prepares for their November opening night, viewers will see how they step into a genre that marks a milestone, and how they take a tough script and turn it into a great performance.
