Dracula poster, designed by theatre director Jared Taylor[/caption]The Orange High School theatre department is now less than a week away from their first fall production, Dracula, and both cast and crew have been working hard to bring the show to stage.
Dracula, directed by OHS theatre teacher Jared Taylor, is Hamilton Dean’s classic retelling of Bram Stoker’s most famous novel by the same name. Set in 19th century England, Dracula follows the bone chilling investigation conducted by Professor Van Helsing, a Dutch doctor, as he researches the sudden illness of a beautiful young girl, Lucy Seward. Professor Van Helsing’s investigation begins shortly after the death of one of Lucy’s closest friends, who suffered from the same symptoms Lucy has presented. The professor’s research also coincides with the arrival of a new neighbor at Carfax, a mysterious Transylvanian man by the name of Count Dracula. By the time Professor Van Helsing has solved the mystery of Lucy’s ailment, the clock is racing and the professor, along with Lucy’s mother, Dr. Seward, Lucy’s fiancé, and John Harker, must rush to save Lucy from the same fate as her poor friend.
Count Dracula is played by sophomore Taylor McNeill, while Professor Van Helsing is played by junior Luke Taylor, Lucy Seward is played by sophomore Erin Burgner, Dr. Seward is played by junior Maggie Cummings, and John Harker is played by sophomore Robert Piscitelli. Other cast members include junior Nicky Vassello, sophomore Sydney DeFranco, sophomore Sarah Leverette, and freshman Aaron Summey.
Set to open on Halloween night, Dracula will be performed from October 31 to November 4. Thursday and Saturday night performances will begin at 7 P.M., the Friday performance will start at 4:45, an hour after school is dismissed, and the Sunday performance will be a matinee, starting at 2 P.M. The ticket cost is set at $7 per person.
Other upcoming events for the theatre program include an improv troupe as well as a winter show.
The Improvicons, also led by theatre director Jared Taylor, will be OHS’ first ever improv troupe. At auditions, Improv Troupe hopefuls will participate in several games familiar to OHS theatre students, in addition to one new, unfamiliar game. Skills that will beevaluated at auditions include how well actors are able to interact with papers, how willing they are to participate, the overall effect of an actor’s performance, and how well actors can think on their feet.
[caption id="attachment_3433" align="alignright" width="300"]
Hairapy Sessions poster, designed by theatre director Jared Taylor[/caption]No preparations are required, and anyone can audition. Auditions will be held in Mr. Taylor’s classroom on Friday, October 25, shortly after the end of school.
When Luke Taylor, a junior who plans to audition this Friday for the Improvicons, was asked what he thinks of the new group, he responded, “The Improvicons is an exciting idea. We'll see where it goes. I have high hopes for it!”
The winter show, currently in pre-production, is called Hairapy Sessions. The play, a student written comedy, is set in a New York hair salon with a largely female cast. Current performance dates for Hairapy Sessions have been set for early December.
Update:
This past weekend, the list of members for Orange High School’s first ever improv troupe, the Improvicons, was released. The members include:
-Sarah Dobbs
-Jay Huskins
-Amanda Jones
-Josh Leonard
-Nycol Lyons
-Shelby Meyer
-Hunter Moser
-Tyler Rubio
-Luke Taylor
-Anastasia Zitko
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