Everyone's favorite bloodsucker (David Quast) with main squeezes Mina Murray (Becca Strom) and Lucy Westenra (Clarissa Long)

Vampires are stalking the halls of Douglas College.

In addition to handing out sweet candy gummy teeth, they’re seducing the warm-blooded to attend the Theatre and Stagecraft departments’ 100th production, Dracula, running up to March 22.

Dracula promises to meet the most discriminating of expectations, says director and Theatre Coordinator Allan Lysell. “There are scary and magical things that happen. Dracula has a history of being sexy and scary and this production will be all of that,” Lysell vows.

“I’m incredibly excited and absolutely amazed that the Theatre and Stagecraft departments have come this far,” adds Lysell, who has been with Douglas College for 15 years.

Its historical significance makes Dracula a perfect choice to celebrate the Theatre and Stagecraft departments’ milestone. This production will also showcase students’ technical and creative savvy in preparing stage tricks aplenty, dramatic lighting and sound effects, and breathtaking costumes.

Prepare to be scared, thrilled, and seduced.

Audiences will also laugh and perhaps even shed a tear or two when their favourite characters are snatched away.

Beyond its thrills and chills, there is a message in Dracula that is still relevant today.
“The central theme is people need to have their ability to believe challenged. Some things are real, even if you don’t think so. Bad things are happening in Darfur even if you don’t believe it,” says Lysell.

“It’s a gift to say thank-you to our audience,” he concludes. “Keep coming and we’ll give you good shows,” he promises.

Dracula is a presentation of the Douglas College’s Theatre and Stagecraft Departments. Performances run March 15, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 evenings at 7:30 pm (no shows Sunday or Monday evenings). Special matinee performances take place on March 17 at 1 pm and March 22 at 2 pm. All performances take place in Douglas College’s Performing Arts Theatre on 700 Royal Ave., New Westminster. For ticket information call 604.527.5488.
Douglas College’s Theatre department doesn’t just provide the skills to succeed as an actor. They also help students discover things  about themselves, tips on how to communicate and how to work as part of an ensemble — skills that are greatly in demand in every workplace — and gain confidence in a variety of ways.

The Theatre program at Douglas College is an intensive, full-time two-year program designed to provide students with professional training and education in speech, movement, acting, acting for film and theatre history. Performance, training, and theatre history are the foundations of the program.

What makes the program unique? Douglas College is the only two-year theatre program in the province that offers conservatory training. That means that students get classes in spe ech, movement and acting in all four terms of the program.

If someone has a passion for acting and for theatre and wants intensive professional training as part of their education, Douglas College’s Theatre Program is perfect.

Stagecraft Program

This intensive two-year diploma program is designed for students interested in a career within the entertainment industry, and who have some fine arts or technical experience. First-year students study production techniques, theatre history, stage lighting, introduction to CAD, prop making, scene painting and scene construction. The second-year curriculum includes advanced courses in theatre production, technical direction, stagecraft for film and TV and audio techniques.

The Stagecraft Program requires commitment from its students. People who excel in Stagecraft thrive on long hours, deadlines, and intensive hands-on work. In return, they are immersed in a dynamic, fast-paced, professional environment, with exposure to production pressures equal to those in the entertainment industry today.

Upon successful completion of the program requirements, a Diploma in Performing Arts Stagecraft is awarded.

The program may be taken on a part-time basis. The Stagecraft Program at Douglas College is transferable to UBC, SFU and the University of Victoria.

If you are creative and disciplined, enjoy technical challenges, and like to work as part of a team, consider the Stagecraft Program at Douglas College.