Fri. October 17, 2003
Chicago, IL -
The New Directors Series of The Theatre School, DePaul University, presents free performances of DRACULA, written by Mac Wellman and directed by Chris Garcia Peak. The play opens October 24, 2003 at 7:30 PM and runs through November 2 at the Athenaeum Studio Three, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Performances of DRACULA are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Preview performances are November 22 and 23 at 7:30 PM. Media comps, photos and interviews available upon request. Run time is approximately one hour and 45 minutes, including one intermission.
Bizarre and offbeat, Mac Wellman's play DRACULA completely re-vamps Bram Stoker’s classic novel. First produced in 1987, this is the story of two sexually repressed women who find the freedom and passion of the vampiric world in the late days of Victorian London.
Performances are at the Athenaeum Studio Three, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Admission is FREE. Reservations are encouraged and can be made at (312) 922-1999. The Athenaeum offers some street parking and is CTA accessible (Paulina or Wellington El stops). SPECIAL EVENT: A post-show discussion with the cast follows the performance on Thursday, October 30. For further information about DRACULA, visit http://theatreschool.depaul.edu.
New Directors Series productions are directed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing at The Theatre School.
The production team includes Linda Buchanan (Scenic Design), Jennifer Hawbaker (Costume Design), Brian Tylke (Lighting Design), Shawne Benson (Music Composition and Sound Design), Rob Cohn (Dramaturg) and Sara Poorman (Stage Management).
The cast includes Ana Berry (Vampyrette #2), Stephanie Bratnik (Mina), Jason Fleitz (Simmons), Lisa Joyce (Dracula), Leslie Kies (Lucy), Micah Lane (Seward), Cobey Mandarino (Van Helsing), Alexandra O’Daly (Vampyrette #3), Blair Robertson (Various), Emily Sarpa (Vampyrette #1), Seth Unger (Harker) and John Walter (Quincey).
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Mac Wellman has been a fixture in the New York theatre scene since the 1970s, with his plays performed at LaMama, the Kitchen, Soho Rep and the Flea. He is a professor and coordinator of the M.F.A. program in playwriting in the Brooklyn College Department of English. Wellman has received numerous honors, including both NEA and Guggenheim Fellowships, a Bessie Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Writers' Award and several Obie Awards. Other plays include BAD PENNY, TERMINAL HIP, CROWBAR, SINCERITY FOREVER, JENNIE RICHEE — OR EATING JALOOKA FRUIT BEFORE IT'S RIPE, A MURDER OF CROWS, HARM’S WAY, THE LESSER MAGOO, 7 BLOWJOBS, GIRL GONE, I DON’T KNOW WHO HE WAS AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT HE SAID, THE SANDALWOOD BOX and HYPATIA, among others. Four collections of his plays have been published, as well as collections of his poetry and several novels.
Chris Garcia Peak holds a B.A. in Theatre from Texas Christian University, an M.A. in Acting and Musical Theatre from London’s Mt. View Theatre Academy (where he directed at-risk youth at the Elm Street Theatre), and has studied under Anne-Lynn Kettles from HB Studios, The Groundlings and Rachel Rosenthal. He has been a company member of Innerview Theatre and The Underground Company in Dallas, and is currently an associate member of the Lonestar Ensemble in Los Angeles. His previous directing credits include VAMPIRE LESBIANS OF SODOM and THE BALD SOPRANO, and at The Theatre School he has directed AFFECTIONS OF AN ALLEYCAT, JACK OR THE SUBMISSION, THE FUTURE IS IN EGGS, CHRISTIE IN LOVE, SORE THROATS and DESDEMONA. This spring Peak will be assistant director for Henry Godinez on ELECTRICIDAD at The Goodman Theatre.
The Theatre School at DePaul University educates, trains and inspires students of theatre in a conservatory setting that is rigorous, disciplined, culturally diverse and that strives for the highest level of professional skill and artistry. A commitment to diversity and equality in education is central to our mission. As an integral part of the training, The Theatre School produces public programs and performances from a wide repertoire of classic, contemporary and original plays that challenge, entertain and stimulate the imagination. We seek to enhance the intellectual and cultural life of our university community, our city and the profession.
For the complete article (non-reader view with multimedia and original links),
Tap here.
Head to the local LGBTQ news, events, directory and people network at ChicagoPride.com