Human Race Theatre’s DRACULA Opens Oct. 29

A FRESH BITE OF A CLASSIC TALE

The Human Race Theatre Company throws back to their very first production with a fresh bite of a classic horror tale: Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really by Kate Hamill.

When your survival is at stake…will you be able to distinguish the monster from the man? Bouncing between horror and humor, Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel is a thrilling play that questions who the true monsters are. Kate Hamill’s imaginative, gender-bending Dracula is unlike any adaptation you’ve ever seen – exploring the nature of predators and reinventing the story as a smart, disquieting, darkly comic drama. No damsels in distress, no romanticized villains – just a gleeful stake through the heart.

 “We themed our 40th Season around family and knew that we wanted to nod back to the Dracula we produced in 1986. Kate Hamill’s retelling of the classic story through a woman’s lens felt like the right choice,” writes Emily Wells, Artistic Director of The Human Race. “A pregnant Mina Harker attempts to save her dear friend from the throes of the vampire and his wives, and in doing so, puts her family unit at risk.”

Wells directs, with a stellar Miami Valley area cast: Caitlin Larsen as Renfield, Andrew Ian Adams as Jonathan Harker, Angelique Archer as Mina Harker, Greg Mallios as Dracula, Jordan Trovillion as Lucy Westerna, Rico Romalus Parker as Dr. George Seward, and Darlene Spencer as Van Helsing. Two Wright State University students round out the cast as part of the Human Race – WSU Performing Arts Collaboration – Skye Hodgkin and Evelyn Vordtriede.

Providing the spooky atmosphere and designs are Charlie Calvert, Scenic Design; Jessica Drayton, Lighting Design; Ayn Swann, Costume Design; Jay Brunner, Composer & Sound Design; Sarah Gomes, Props Design; Carolyn Fast, Production Stage Manager; Isabella Myers, Assistant Stage Manager

DRACULA will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, October 29 – November 9, 2025.  Tickets are on sale through the Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org

For press ticket requests, please contact Tiffany Countryman, Engagement and Learning Coordinator, at tiffany@humanracetheatre.org

The Human Race Theatre Company continues its commitment to high quality theatre with access points for all with two special ticket initiatives: two sections of $20 seats available at any time through the box office, and ten $10 rush seats available 60 minutes before any performance.

Special Nights at The Loft:  

  • Pay What You CAN – Tuesday, October 28, 2025 7:30 pm to benefit the Dayton Food Bank & Artemis Center
  • Inside Track – Thursday, October 30, 2025 6:45 pm – Pre-show Discussion
  • While We’re On The Subject – Sunday, November 2, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion
  • $10/Sawbuck Sunday – Sunday, November 2, 2025 7:30 pm – $10 tix starting at 6:00 pm
  • Parent’s Day Out – Sunday, November 9, 2025 2 pm – Kids Activities (5-12yo)

The Human Race Theatre Company expresses gratitude for the public and private support which makes these productions possible:  Loft Season Sponsor: Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation. Production Sponsor: Charley and Judy Schuerholz.  Special thanks to: Versiti Blood Center of Ohio. Sustainability Sponsors:  Steve and Lou Mason, The Toulmin Fund at The Dayton Foundation.  Additional Season support:  Erma R. Catterton Trust, Funds at The Dayton Foundation, Virginia F. Kettering Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Sam Levin Foundation, and Pizza Factory.  Organizational support:  Culture Works, Montgomery County, Ohio Arts Council. Media Sponsor: WDPR Discover Classical. Pay What You Can Sponsor: Enterprise Holdings Foundation.  Capital Support: The Schiewetz Foundation, The Dayton Foundation, The Toulmin Fund at the The Dayton Foundation, Oakwood Rotary.

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