DIRECTED BY NATHAN BUSH

AUDITIONS: September 30 and October 1 6:00-8:00 pm

Withycombe Hall Main Stage

THE PLAY:  This version of Bram Stoker’s novel propels Dracula into the 20^th century just before the start of WWI.  The characters have been changed a bit, and the mood has been altered to blend mystery, humor and horror.  The action takes place in Dr. Seward’s parlor where a group of concerned individuals race against time to save Wilhelmina Murray from a strange disease which will eventually take her life.  A stranger by the name of Count Dracula has just moved to the countryside where wolves constantly howl, lightning constantly crashes and people end up missing or dead. It is up to a few doctors, a butler, a reporter and an English aristocrat to solve the mystery and save Wilhelmina’s life.

CHARACTERS:

Dr. Cedric Seward:  The chief resident doctor of an insane asylum with Dr. Helga Van Zandt.  He is caring for Wilhelmina Murray who has succumbed to a strange disease which is both unknown and seemingly incurable.

Jameson:  Dr. Seward’s butler and care taker of both the asylum and Dr. Seward’s residence.  Seward spends much of his time chasing the elusive Mr. Renfield.

Professor Van Helsing:   A doctor, scientist, and man of faith, philosophy and dark legends who is investigating the strange disease that has overcome Ms. Murray.   

Dr. Helga Van Zandt:  A Freudian psychoanalyst who works closely with Dr. Seward and Van Helsing.

Lord Godalming:  The reigning Lord of the countryside, and aristocratic patriot to the crown who has been trying to take care of the townsfolk once young girls have been mysteriously disappearing.

Mr. Renfield:  An inmate of the asylum who constantly escapes and causes mischief.  He seems to have a psychic connection with Dracula.

Wilhelmina Murray:  A very ill young lady who is in the throes of a strange disease. Her mood swings wildly from trance like lethargy to hysterics.

Jonathan Harker:  A young investigative journalist who has been sent to cover the mysterious circumstances of the country side.

Count Dracula:  A Transylvanian Count who has just moved to the English country side.  He has a hypnotic presence and a very strong hold on almost anyone he chooses at any given moment.

The Audition:

Auditions for Oregon State University Theatre’s Fall 2018 production of The Passion of Dracula will be held September 30 and October 1 at 6:00 pm on the Withycombe Main Stage in Withycombe Hall (30^th and Campus Way, Corvallis OR).

The audition will consist of cold readings from the script and a few improvisations. The cast consists of 7 male and 2 female roles. All roles are open to actors of any race or gender, and all are encouraged to read in multiple roles.  There are specific dialects and accents that will be used in the show from Cockney to Eastern European with a few in between.  Native German speakers are encouraged to audition. There is a range of movement and physicality so please be ready to move for the audition. Scripts are available for 24 hour check out from the Theatre Arts Main office in Withycombe 145.

Rehearsals will begin the first week of October and be regularly scheduled Monday through Friday 6:00-10:00 pm. Tech and dress rehearsals will run November 3-7 and performances dates are November 8-10 and 16-18. Performers must be available for all tech rehearsals, performances, and strike.

For questions concerning the audition or rehearsal process please contact the director, Nathan Bush at Nathan.bush@oregonstate.edu