On the afternoon of the 19th at four, the actors and actresses of the upcoming theater club gathered at the Skyline Theater for rehearsal for the upcoming production of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
As the actor and actresses entered the theater, it was clear that the design of the set was almost finished, however a number of finishing touches were still needed to complete its construction. The unfinished nature of the set did not stop rehearsals as everyone got ready.
Skyline student Ben Rampley will be making his directorial debut in the production of Dracula.
“First directing but I’ve been in four full productions and an (exhibit) so that’s all the experience I’m taking into directing,” said Director Ben Rampley. “I’ve been offered to direct before, I just wasn’t prepared, that was over a year ago, now I feel ready for it.”
“It (directing) does take a lot more out of you mentally because…compared to acting where you worrying about yourself mainly, directing you’re worried about everyone and not just acting (but) the people who are doing the light, sound, set, all of them.” said Director Rampley when he was asked for impressions so far as a director.
As the day turned into night, rehearsal for the show continued until late; unfortunately this was only a taste of what was to come, since from Oct. 22 to the 26, rehearsals will be held everyday in the afternoon.
Nothing could be more important than the question of who will be playing the Count. The answer is Sean McBride, who will be taking part in his first play; however he does have his experience with movies and commercials to draw from.
“I was watching some movies with my buddies and he’s a big horror movie buff, so once I saw the invite on Facebook from Ben…I just started watching more Dracula movies, like Frank Langella (Dracula 1979) from the 70s, which was a really a great take on Dracula. It was more like a Bruce Wayne Dracula, and I just become really inspired by it,” said Sean McBride.
Playing the roles of Dr. John Seward and Van Helsing, will be Skyline students Ben Spellman and Martin James Kalin, who both happen to be taking Creative Writing this Fall with Katharine Harer.
“What really got me was that I haven’t done plays for a year now and I wanted to get back into it and it’s been fun. It’s a great cast of people I think everyone here has great talent,” said Spellman as the clock approached eight.
The next few hours continued with everyone present and working hard to learn their lines.
Dracula will be held on the nights of the 26th, 27th, and the final show will be on the night of the 31th, Halloween in the Skyline Theater. And there also will be a costume contest taking place during the show so come dressed for Halloween and have fun.
