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SJRCC Press Release
October 2009
FloArts presents "The Passion of Dracula"
England 1911, "Mysterious events in Whitby" begins the classic retelling of the Dracula legend to be performed at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts on November 6 at 7:30 p.m. and November 7 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. A traditional melodrama by Bob Hall and David Richmond, the performance promises audience members a spine-tingling evening as Florida School of the Arts students and faculty present "The Passion of Dracula" and unravel the mysteries of Carfax Castle.
Unlike today's modernization of the vampire theme and the inner struggle to be good, this "Count" embraces his dark side, said FloArts play director Patricia Crotty. "Our Dracula is sexy, too, but he is also very, very bad," she said. "And he LOVES it."
The play is set entirely in Dr. Seward's mysterious study and is the perfect setting to watch Van Helsing, Harker and Dracula battle over Wilhelmina's soul. "There is an attraction to the dark side that we all carry inside of us," Crotty said. "Along with the relief that true love conquers the forces of darkness."
 Audience members can expect an evening of suspense and special effects, as well as traditional favorites including Dracula's deep, haunting Romanian voice, his infamous cape and fangs, Crotty said. She also warns that audience members should keep a sharp watch over their shoulder for flying guests.
Head of costume design Lynnsey Slanina said the era the play is set in is one of her favorites to teach FloArts design students. "It is the single most beautiful period for both men and women," she said. According to Slanina, the fashion trend reveals the change from the turn-of-the-century full-gored skirt to the tall, columnar silhouette that emphasized the delicate body of a woman. The men's clothes are just as proper, helping them become the suave, debonair men of prestige and power. "One of the most luxurious fabrics of the time was silk," Slanina said. "We've used it extensively for its flowing quality to help complete the statuesque scenes you will see in the production."
FloArts was established in 1976 and serves the entire state of Florida. FloArts awards the two-year associate degree and is located on the Palatka campus of St. Johns River Community College. The THCA is owned and operated by SJRCC and is located on the Orange Park campus.
Although FloArts productions are primarily performed at the SJRCC Palatka campus, selected productions each year are performed at the THCA. Faculty members agree that performing in a new venue enhances the challenges and learning experiences for the students and teaches them self-reliance. The tour experience brings about a bigger sense of responsibility for the actors and technical crew. Students learn to adjust as if they were performing in an actual production on tour.
 The play contains mild language, violence and intense subject matter and is not suitable for small children. For ticket information, call (904) 276-6750 or visit online at THcenter.org.
Performers include:
Patrick Taylor as Mr. Renfield,
Andy Deveroux as Dr. Cedric Seward
Zack Gurnavage as Jameson
James Smith as Professor Van Helsing
Anya Kross as Dr. Helga Van Zandt
Kelsey Donegan as Lord Godalming
Marissa Toogood as Wilhelmina
Jany Bacallao as Jonathan Harker
Logan Wolfe as Count Dracula
The production staff includes: Robert O'Leary, scene design; Lynnsey Slanina, costume design and Jan-Hein Phelps, lighting design.
Production Stage Manager: Alexandra Hernandez
Assistant Director: Matt Scites
Assistant Lighting Designer: Romen Phelps
1st Assistant Stage Manager: Ashley Palmer
2nd Assistant Stage Manager: Alejandro Rodriguez
Production Assistants Breanna Arneson, Tyler Humphrey, Gina Tomacchio
Production Videographer: Aaron Alexander
Assistant to Scenic Designer: Rebecca Hamilton
Head of Special Effects: Jordan Vera
Sound Engineer: Bryan Sellers
Prop Masters: Devin Satabe, Jessica Snyder
Paint Charge: Mark Exline
Sound Board Operator: Bryan Sellers
Light Board Operator: Romen Phelps
Vampire Tooth Designer: Dr. Rebecca Faunce
Program/Poster Design: Aaron Alexander
Master Carpenter: Jordan Vera
Scenic Construction/Paint: Romen Phelps, Jordan Vera, Bryan Sellers, Devin Satabe, Mark Exline, Jessica Snyder, Rebecca Hamilton, Patrick Taylor, Alex Hernandez, Ashley Palmer, Alix Daughtry, Rob O'Leary
Electricians: Romen Phelps, Jordan Vera, Bryan Sellers, Devin Satabe
Stagehands: Mark Exline, Devin Stabe, Rebecca Hamilton, Jessica Snyder
Drapers: Pamela J. Endicott, Lynnsey D. Slanina, Angi Pasco, Sam Reyes
Ventilators: Steven Mignone, Sam Reyes, Angi Pasco, Maria Mignone, Andy Jean Mary, Arlene Felipe
Wardrobe/Makeup Crew Steven Mignone, Sam Reyes, Angi Pasco, Maria Mignone, Andy Jean Mary, Arlene Felipe
Costume Shop Manager: Pamela J. Endicott
Scene Shop Foreman: Thaddeus Engle
THCA Technical Director: Jan-Hein Phelps
THCA House Manager and Assistant to the Technical Director: Brian Wise
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
ABOVE, RIGHT: True to legend, Wilhelmina must succumb to Dracula's lure of eternal matrimony by her own free will.
LEFT: The faithful Mr. Renfield warns that Professor Van Helsing is nearby while Dracula places Lord Godalming in a trance as the mysteries of Carfax Castle become more evident.
Return to SJRCC home page.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
SJRCC Director of Public Relations and Publications
5001 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 312-4020
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