Dracula Audio Play

26/10/2022

Dracula returns this week! Catch the live stream of all 10 episodes airing on MavRadio starting this Friday October 28th (schedule below).

The station can be heard on 90.7 HD-2, the TuneIn or Radio FX apps or wherever you are, you can tune in to the live stream online: http://www.mavradio.fm/

A big thanks to the University of Nebraska at Omaha School of Communications and MavRadio - one of the top 10 student audio programs in the nation for 2022! Happy haunting, everybody.

Friday 10-28: Episodes 1 and 2 starting Central
Saturday 10-29: Episodes 3-6 starting Central
Sunday 10-30 Matinee: Episodes 7-10 starting Central

(Omaha, Neb.)-UNO kicks off its second Wear Black Give Back 24-hour event where YOU can choose among many university organizations more »

10/10/2022

What is dead will never die...
Dracula returns this month...

31/10/2021

It's here! The action, emotion, and suspense-packed final episode of DRACULA! Hope you've had as much fun on this journey as we had creating it. Thank you to all the actors and musicians for their time and their talent in helping us put this together, the The House Theatre of Chicago for presenting all ten episodes in their virtual "Rumpus Room", and thank you to all the listeners for your support! The episodes will be available to listen to through December, but if you listen today (the last day of October) the artistic team gets $1 per download! So get those listens in! Access the episodes at https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1863561.rss or www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula

Episode 10: The Prey (*Content Warning below)
As the group attempts to track down the elusive Dracula through Transylvania, Mina re-lives a terror that haunts her. Nerves are tested as the group struggles to remain united, pushing their physical and mental fortitudes to their limits.
*CW: graphic violence from minute 7:17-7:30. and 17:20-17:33

31/10/2021

Spotlight on: Co-creator and Composer, Kevin O’Donnell! Not only did he create the amazing, beautiful, and haunting score for DRACULA, but he’s also doing all the sound design, mixing, and editing! He has ALL the talents.

KEVIN O'DONNELL is a musician, composer and sound designer. In Chicago he has worked at Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, Northlight, The Court, Victory Gardens, Lookingglass, and many others. His work in Chicago has earned him over 20 Jefferson Award nominations (10 Awards), primarily as a composer, but also for Sound Design, Music Direction, and a Special Skills Award as a musician; as well as two After Dark Awards for Outstanding Season. Regionally he has worked at Kansas City Rep; Pasadena Playhouse; The Olney Theatre Center; The Seattle Rep; and in New Orleans at The Southern Rep, The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival, and Le Petite Theatre (where he has twice been nominated for Big Easy Awards for Sound Design); New York credits include St Anne's Warehouse, 59E59, Cherry Lane, and the Skirball Center. As a drummer he has appeared on numerous albums, several with Andrew Bird, with whom he has played at The Hollywood Bowl, The Chicago Theatre, Ravinia, Bonnaroo, and Madison Square Garden... as well as many, many, small clubs. Kevin is currenly based outside of Nashville, where he teaches and coordinates Sound and Media Design at Middle Tennessee State University. www.kevinodonnellmusic.com

31/10/2021

Spotlight on: Co-creator and writer, Kara Davidson! Episode 10 comes out later today, ghouls. We hope you’ve enjoyed the ride!

Kara is a performer, playwright, puppeteer, and teaching artist currently pursuing her MFA in Writing for Stage and Screen at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her work has been commissioned and produced in Chicago, Minneapolis, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Most recently, she was the Fall 2021 recipient of The Honeybee Prize for her short Play “The Farewell Burn”, awarded by The Good Life Review. Since 2015, she has performed in the US and internationally with the artistic collective Manual Cinema, a company that utilizes puppetry, technology, and immersive sound to create cinematic experiences for audiences. Kara is also a volunteer teaching facilitator with the Chicago-based A.B.L.E. Ensemble, which creates theatre and film projects for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is the co-founder and director of a monthly virtual workshop called The Lab which aids in developing new works-in-progress by artists working in any artistic discipline (www.thelab.blog).

30/10/2021

Only 2 Episodes left!! "Episode 9: The Cemetery" is up today at www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula. (*Content Warning below) Every download in the month of October means another $1 in the pockets of the artists who made DRACULA, but October ends this weekend! So I guess it's time to binge some Dracula episodes this spooky season!

Episode 9: The Cemetery - The group grieves a devastating loss and Van Helsing’s methods are questioned. The police investigate a mysterious criminal on the loose who preys on children. Van Helsing and Mina unite to unravel the mystery of Jonathan’s trauma, and Renfield, an escaped patient from the asylum, gets in their way. (*Content Warning: Graphic violence from 13:35-13:49 and 29:00-29:10)

29/10/2021

Musician spotlight on: Erin O'Shea! Listen for her on the violin on Episodes 1-8, and Episode 9 (released later today!) We're nearing the finish line, everyone!

Erin O’Shea is an actor, voice-over artist, and musician based in LA. She began her career in Chicago, and performed with such theaters as Griffin, Lifeline, The Hypocrites, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Awkward Pause, and The Goodman Theatre. This past year, her first short film, Meet Cute, was an official selection for several film fests, including academy-qualifying Cinequest. She enjoys playing violin and ukulele, and loves a good scary story/movie/fall/spooky season. And a fun coincidence is that her first baby is due on Halloween!

27/10/2021

Episode 8: The Hunter is out today! Catch up on all the episodes for free at www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula ... only two more to go! And if you are enjoying your journey and would like to donate to the artists involved in creating this piece, you can do so at paypal.me/draculaaudioplay. Thank you for your support!!

(Content warning below)

Lucy’s condition worsens as her mother, Doctor Seward, and Arthur anxiously await the arrival of Professor Van Helsing, who has been delayed. As Mina escapes the asylum with Jonathan in tow, Jonathan’s memory is jolted awake by the sight of a particular property nearby. (*CW: Graphic violence from 20:12-20:20)

26/10/2021

Spotlight on: Charles Huth! Our fabulous cover art illustrator! Stay tuned for the release of "Episode 8: The Hunter" today!

Charles Huth is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Chicago, Illinois. Charles has spent 5 years working as a corporate graphic designer and now works as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator, exploring the space between both design and illustration. He is also one half of the creative team behind Fortunes: The Tarot Card Storytelling game, and a member of the Northside Comic Artists.
www.charleshuthdesigns.com
www.instagram.com/charleshuthart

And here are some links to some of his current projects available now:
Fortunes - Digital Purchase: https://writingduels.itch.io/fortunes-tarot-card-storytelling-game
Fortunes - Hard Cover: https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Fortunes-The-Tarot-Card-Storytelling-Game.html
Northside Comic Artists: http://northsidecomics.org/

22/10/2021

New episode and New Chills for your chilly weekend. "Episode 7: The Servant" is out today! Find it at www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula

After discovering that Seward’s “Patient X” is Mina’s betrothed, Jonathan, Mina rushes to the asylum. However, Jonathan’s reaction to her arrival arouses suspicion among the staff. Meanwhile, the police interrogate an uncooperative zookeeper about mysterious events that transpired at the zoo.

21/10/2021

Who is that Cowboy Crooner in Episode 6, you ask? Why it's Tommy Malouf! Tommy also played Bogdan way back in Episode 1. Cue spotlight!

Tommy Malouf (Arthur Quincey) Tommy truly had too much fun with this project. He has never written that for a bio, but this process was such a delight it required mentioning. He is a teaching artist in the city of Chicago, and some favorite companies include The House Theatre of Chicago, Silk Road Rising, Remy Bumppo, and Steppenwolf Theatre Co. Tommy is represented by Stewart Talent.

19/10/2021

Episode 6: The Possession is out today! www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula
Doctor Seward attends Arthur’s Bachelor party that Lucy’s mother has also insisted upon attending. When Lucy falls ill with a mysterious illness beyond Doctor Seward’s medical expertise, he calls on his previous Professor, Doctor Margaret Van Helsing, who specialized in diagnosing mysterious ailments and metaphysical approaches to treatment.

18/10/2021

Spotlight on: Ben Chang who plays the fly-eating Renfield that we met in Episode 5: The Asylum!

Ben is pleased to collaborate with the amazing artists of Dracula. He is a theatre artist from Chicago. Acting credits include Goodman Theatre, Sideshow Theatre, Porchlight Music, Griffin Theatre, Signal Ensemble, Adventure Stage, Lifeline, Cor Theatre, Red Tape, Theater Alliance of Washington, D.C., and North Carolina Shakespeare Festival. He has appeared on the television shows Chicago Med (NBC) and Empire (FOX). Ben is a Jeff Award composer.

15/10/2021

Episode 5: The Asylum was released today! Have a good weekend, ghouls! www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula

Doctor Seward returns heartbroken back to his asylum to care for his patients, particularly R.M. Renfield, an excitable patient who has taken a liking to eating flies and spiders for dinner, and a new patient, “Patient X”, that arrived raving mad on a train weeks ago with nothing but a journal in his possession. Meanwhile, back at the seaside, Lucy has an exciting announcement to share.

14/10/2021

Spotlight on: Adam Qutaishat who plays the forlorn Dr. Jack Seward! We'll be heading to Seward's asylum starting in Episode 5, which comes out tomorrow! Catch up today at www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula

Adam Qutaishat is a stage and voice actor headquartered in Milwaukee, WI. Adam has spent years writing and producing narrative fiction podcasts like WAIP, The All-Arcadians, and SHH. Adam has also lent their voice to 10 Days in a Madhouse: The Workshop and The Wanderer. On stage Adam has worked with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterwork, Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, and many more. Adam also serves as the Associate Artistic Director of Music Theatre of Madison and as an Artistic Associate for All In Productions. Their new podcast, Vigil, a superhero thriller, will be released in 2022. adamqutaishat.com

14/10/2021

Spotlight on: Christine Mayland Perkins who plays the effervescent and life-loving Lucy Westenra!

Christine Mayland Perkins’s Chicago credits: Southern Gothic (Windy City Playhouse), Psychonaut Librarians (The New Coordinates / New Colony), Titanic the Musical (Griffin Theatre), Pirates of Penzance, Princess and the Pea (Marriott Lincolnshire), Mill Girls (ATC). House Theatre credits: Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz, Pinnochio, Revel, Rose and the Rime, Ploughed Under, Nutcracker (’12 and ’13), Kitty Hawk. TV: Chicago PD. Christine is represented by Stewart Talent, a graduate of Northwestern University and a House company member. You can catch Christine dipping her toe in stand-up around town or follow her
www.ChristineMaylandPerkins.com

12/10/2021

Episode 4: The Ship is up! And this one comes with a **Content warning, listed below.
Listen to the newest episode (or catch up on what you've missed) in The House Theatre of Chicago Rumpus Room: https://www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula

The captain of the ship Demeter calls in the ship’s Scrivener to discuss the mysterious events that have been taking place during their cargo voyage. The Captain has never sailed with this Scrivener before, and seems wary of the Scrivener’s cold apathy towards the accounts of disappearances on the ship.
**CW: graphic violence from minute 10 to 10:40.

12/10/2021

Spotlight on: Abu Ansari! You just heard him in "The Seaside" as Herschel Swales and you might also recognize his voice from narrating all of our credits!

Episode 5: The Ship comes out later today. Get ready for some trouble on the seas.

Abu Ansari is a performer and facilitator who splits his time between Chicago and London. He has been a part of Chicago’s theatre community for 20 years, including a longstanding company membership at the House Theatre of Chicago. Notable Chicago appearances in To Kill a Mockingbird (Steppenwolf), Superior Donuts (Mary Arrchie), and the Nutcracker (the House). He has also been active during that time in socially engaged and participatory theatre forums. He worked as a facilitator and performer with GTC Dramatic Dialogues and Imagination Theater with participants of all ages to investigate topics such as substance abuse, conflict resolution, sexual assault, and diversity and inclusion awareness. As a teaching artist and board member of Chicago’s Voice of the City, Abu worked with young people to devise original performances based on personal and imagined stories,and he co-produced Switch, a monthly partner dancing event for Chicago’s LGBTQ+ communities. Abu has recently co-founded the Agitate Collective in London, which will use theatre to encourage young people to interrogate one-sided historical narratives taught in schools. Abu received an MA in applied theatre from Goldsmiths University in London. He has
been accepted into the PhD in applied theatre programs at both Queen Mary University of London and the University of Manchester. His PhD research aims to develop theatre-based methods for addressing loneliness in q***r Black communities.

08/10/2021

Episode 3: The Seaside is UP!
https://www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula

Mina Murray, a budding gothic novelist, travels to Whitby to visit her closest and dearest friend Lucy Westenra. Mina hopes that the seaside, fresh air, and Lucy’s comforting friendship will ease her mind about the unknown whereabouts of her betrothed, Jonathan Harker. Meanwhile, the lovesick-but-pragmatic Doctor Jack Seward plans out a proposal.

08/10/2021

Spotlight on: The oh-so-and-ever-so talented human being, Kasey Foster! Kasey is a multi-talented performer and does a million things around Chicago-land, and the same is true in DRACULA. You heard her as Madame Madalina in Episode 1, and she also plays The Captain, Mrs. Westenra, and many many other roles in future episodes.

Kasey Foster is a performer, producer, director, and puppeteer. She is an Ensemble Member at Lookingglass Theatre, where she was last seen in The Steadfast Tin Soldier. She sings with bands Babe-alon 5, Grood, Nasty Buoy, Old Timey, and This Must be the Band, appearing at venues throughout the city and across the country. Kasey has created over forty original works in Chicago and produces two annual series, Dance Tribute and The ACTual Show. For more info, check out her website at www.kaseyfoster.com

06/10/2021

Wondering who that mysterious, alluring, ear-tingling voice is playing Count Dracula in Episode 2? It's joolz, of course. (They/Them/Theirs)

Ah, a stranger, quick, come in from the cold… have you met joolz? joolz makes art. joolz plays games. Sometimes joolz makes other things. Strange, terrible, unspeakable things. joolz is thrilled to sink their teeth into this thrilling project with such a talented team of ghouls. You may know them from their D&D actual play podcast The Pod Has Been Cast, have seen them on stage with companies like Chicago Immersive, Strawdog Theater Company, and Midsommer Flight, or perhaps even more recently: screaming silently in your own nightmares. When they aren’t polymorphing into other creatures/things, you may find them doodling monsters, writing stories, or making games.

If you’re feeling brave, follow them on Instagram and checkout The Pod Has Been Cast wherever fine podcasts are sold.

Catch up on Episodes 1-2 at https://www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula

06/10/2021

Did you know that you can subscribe to DRACULA so that you'll be notified the very SECOND a new episode drops?

Simply click on the button at the bottom right of the player at https://www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula, then the button that says "Get the RSS feed". You'll then be instructed to copy and paste the RSS feed that pops up in your menu bar into your podcast player of choice! (Apple podcasts, spotify, etc.)
(Pictures with crude instructional symbols below:)

Happy listening!

05/10/2021

Episode 2 is UP! Listen in (and catch up on Episode 1 if you missed it) at https://www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula.

Jonathan arrives at Castle Dracula and meets the Count, a nobleman interested in purchasing property in London, and the eager Count seems keen on signing papers quickly. Blinded by his own desire to make the sale to be able to provide a more comfortable life for his betrothed, Mina, Jonathan seems unaware that his first sale may also be his last.

05/10/2021

Episode 1: The Journey is up and streaming! Catch up at https://www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula before we release Episode 2: The Castle tomorrow!

In the meantime, we'd like to shine the spotlight on the fabulous Joey Steakley! He plays The Driver in Episode 1 and will play The Scrivener, The Zookeeper, and others in upcoming episodes.

Joey is a longtime horror lover, much to his partner’s chagrin. His favorite movie is Texas Chainsaw Massacre, favorite book is The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, and favorite artist is Francis Bacon. He is a company member of The House Theatre of Chicago. Happy Spooky Season!

01/10/2021

EPISODE 1 is LIVE!
Listen for free at: https://www.thehousetheatre.com/dracula and if you'd like to make a donation to the artists involved in creating this series, visit paypal.me/draculaaudioplay.

Episode 1: The Journey
On his way to Transylvania to solidify a sale of a London estate, Jonathan Harker (a nervous and ailment-ridden clerk) meets a mysterious alluring woman who is the spitting image of his betrothed. He stops in a small town before the last leg of his journey where the townspeople ominously warn him about the evil that lurks beyond their town’s borders.

30/09/2021

DRACULA Episode 1 : The Journey comes out TOMORROW 10/1/21!

Spotlight on: Emily Marso who plays Mina Murray (and others)!

EMILY MARSO is a Chicago-based actor. Her theatre credits include work with Goodman, Northlight, Writers, TimeLine, The Gift, Silk Road Rising, and more. Television credits include a recurring role on Chicago Med and Chicago Fire (NBC). Film credits include An Exquisite Meal; Swipe Up, Vivian!; and The Last Stand of Bobby Coe. Motion capture credits include Mortal Kombat 11 (NetherRealm Studios), and commercial credits include campaigns for State Farm, McDonald's, The FRIENDS Experience, and more. Emily graduated with a BA degree in theatre, political science, and Chinese from Northwestern University. She’s represented by Paonessa Talent. For more, visit emilymarso.com.

29/09/2021

Spotlight on Carlos Olmedo who plays Jonathan Harker (and others)!
Carlos Olmedo (he/him/his) is a Chicago based actor who is excited to work on this awesome adaptation of Dracula with Kara, Kevin and this amazing cast. "Recent" (thanks pandemic) credits include: United Flight 232 (House Theatre of Chicago); Romeo and Juliet (Missouri Shakespeare Festival) and you may have caught him on an episode of Chicago Fire with a dart stuck in his head. Carlos is also working on an actual play D&D podcast called The Pod Has Been Cast, where he edits and plays Raine Halwinter. The Pod Has Been Cast is a D&D adventure that is set in a "sci-fi" setting known as The Void; a swirling dark abyss of endless black. Tune in wherever you listen to your podcasts!

28/09/2021

Spotlight on: Genevieve VenJohnson who plays Professor Margaret Van Helsing (and others) in DRACULA! Episode 1 comes out this Friday, 10/01/21!

Genevieve is currently working on August Wilson’s, RADIO GOLF for Gulfshore Playhouse. Recent Chicago stage appearances were U.S. premieres of contemporary British plays: HOPELESSLY DEVOTED, at Piven Theatre, and DIRTY BUTTERFLY; with The Blind Owl/Halcyon Theatre. Stage work includes productions with The House Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Broadway In Chicago, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Court Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Ravinia Festival Theatre, and Lifeline Theatre. She’s played regionally, and in European tours of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Television roles include POWER BOOK IV: FORCE/ Starz, PROVEN INNOCENT/ FoxTV, CHICAGO JUSTICE/ NBC Universal, and LOW WINTER SUN/ AMC.
https://www.gentlebee.buzz/

27/09/2021

We are so excited about this talented group of actors who brought DRACULA to life!

Featuring:
Julian "joolz" Stroop as Dracula
Genevieve VenJohnson as Professor Margaret Van Helsing
Emily Marsoas Mina Murray
Carlos Rojo Olmedo as Jonathan Harker
Christine Mayland Perkins as Lucy Westenra
Adam Qutaishatas Doctor Jack Seward
Tommy Malouf as Arthur Quincey
Ben Chang as Renfield
Kasey Foster as Madame Madalina, Mrs. Westenra, The Captain, and others
Joey Steakley as The Driver, The Scrivener, The Zookeeper, and others
Abu Ansari as Herschel Swales and others

The score features Erin O'Shea (violin), Jeffrey Parker (double bass), and Josh Bell (saxophones)