Sheila Zapata
Staff Writer
With all four nighs sold out, Florida Southern College’s Theatre Department presented “Passion of Dracula” on Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. with this classic brought to the stage, the department displayed the true essence of Dracula to our campus with stunning stage techniques, fantastic acting and a new perspective on what a freshman theatre major in the department had to say while playing a lead in the show.
When it comes to what caught the attiention of the audience the most, it would be the performers. each student had their own character that played a unique part in the story that challenged their craft as a whole. Eva Woody, freshman BA Theatre Arts major, plays the main female lead, Wilhelmina Murray, who portrays this. Wilhelmina enters the story as a lively and cheerful presence, but her complexity becomes more apparent as the play progresses. She shifts between emotions in a matter of seconds, adding depth to her performance and creating dynamic, engaging interactions with the other characters. Having to portray a contrasting character was one of Woody’s challenges.
“Normally, I tend to get comedic or spirted roles, but for this character, she was a ltttle bit different. The most challenging part of playing her were the quick switches in emotion and having to act crazy or seductive,” Woody said.
The technical elements of the production, particularly the lighting and sound, left a lasting impression. Different lights being used between different characters, such as Dracula and Wilhelmina, show a greater connection and symbolism than dialogue can show. The soundtrack for the entire play was impressive and fit the narrative perfectly. Jayden Smith, a senior BFA Theatre Performance Major, played Dracula and was able to design the play’s soundtrack. “My favorite part of Dracula is getting to create the soundscape for my own character as I am both Dracula and the sound designer,” Smith said.
I believe that if the sound wasn’t designed by someone who hadn’t heavily analyzed the script and performed the play, it wouldn’t have connected so well with the narrative.
The staff, had a big effect on the production. The thing that makes a performance good is the support that goes on behind the curtains. Woody, being a freshman, didn’t know what she would expect when she got cast as a lead for her first play, but she was genuinely satisfied with the results and expressed how much this show had changed her as an actress.
“For me, going into a production as a freshman, I was super nervous since I only knew one person in the cast, but everyone was super sweet and made me feel accepted and loved,” Woody said.
Director Christopher Arthur, being a new staff member, made a long-lasting effect with the performers as his unique takes with the production made it memorable and entertaining. Not all “Passion of Dracula” productions are the same; FSC’s version showed more individual character development, psychological themes and the use of the transfer of power between characters that other versions don’t have.
Overall, “Passion of Dracula” became a standout favorite among the FSC community and anyone who appreciates classic theatre.The production showed unique qualities with its themes and characters, symbolic technical qualities and became a life-changing experience for first-year students thanks to a fantastic support system within the theatre department. For more updates on the productions for the upcoming semester, follow Vagabonds on Instagram @vagabonds.fsctheatre).
