THUNDER BAY— Theatre fanatics from Hammarskjold High School are thrilled to present the classic gothic horror adaption of Dracula.
“I am extremely excited, we have been working on this for about three months, so it's time for it to come to fruition and to see them on stage,” said Danielle Chandler, director and drama teacher.
Chandler said the inspiration for the performance comes from this year’s students and her own background as both an English and drama teacher.
“I always try to lean into who my cast is and then match them up as best I can,” she said. “It doesn't always work, but I think it did this time.”
Seeing the incredible progress that the students have made over the past several months, specifically students who are taking on the stage for the first time, is the best part, said Chandler.
“This is my third year taking drama at Hammarskjold, but this is my first year being in one of the productions, so I'm excited,” said Summer Ford, who plays Lucy Weston.
“I used to deal with a really severe form of anxiety and theatre really helped me sort of get out there, make friends and feel more like a person again,” she said.
Overcoming societal barriers is a big step in polishing the young actors’ favourite scenes.
“We've got a pretty good fight scene in here - a very dramatic, very long fight scene that took a lot of effort from a lot of people who we are very grateful for,” said Vergil Code who plays Dr. Abraham Van Helsing in the performance.
“I'm very excited for people to see that,” he said.
Fight scenes aren’t the only thing exciting about this year’s performance, Chandler said in past years the school has focused on theatre shows for young audiences, making Dracula something special.
“We're trying something new,” she said.
Hammarskjold offered a free matinee for Grade 7 and 8 students in Thunder Bay on May 29 and for Grade 9 Hammarskjold students on May 30.
A public showing was held in the Hammarskjold school gymnasium on Thursday and a final show is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.
Tickets are available for students and their families on School Cash Online or for $15 cash at the door.
