Dracula, a Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really.

Written by Kate Hamill - Inspired by the work of Bram Stoker - Directed by Mona Mortazavi 

AUDITIONS:

Adelaide University City East Campus (Room TBC)
Wednesday, 11th March
Saturday, 14th March
A self-tape option is also acceptable if you are unable to attend any of the available audition slots.

SYNOPSIS:

When your survival is at stake… will you be able to distinguish the monster from the man? Both terrifying and riotous, Kate Hamill’s imaginative, gender-bending “feminist revenge fantasy” is like no Dracula you’ve ever seen—exploring the nature of predators and reinventing the story as a smart, disquieting, darkly comic drama. Hamill’s signature style and postmodern wit upends this familiar tale of Victorian vampires—driving a stake through the heart of toxic masculinity.

'Dracula, a Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really' takes the classic narrative of Stoker’s Dracula and flips it on its head, making heroes out of the women who are designated into being nothing more than victims in the original text. Hamill follows the plot structure of Stoker’s work with some additions and exclusions to maintain a fast paced show that explores the challenges of living under a patriarchal society, and the subsequent patterns that happen again, and again, and again. This is a show that is to be filled with action, wit and a good dose of gothic vibes.

Content Warning: This show includes themes of predatory and abusive behaviour, sexual harassment and suicide. Blocking of any intense scenes will be done with the comfort of the actors in mind, and the safety and security of actors will always be a priority with dedicated intimacy rehearsals. Adelaide University also has mental health services to contact if needed.

SEASON: July 1st-3rd 2026, 7:30pm and July 4th 2026, 2pm & 7:30pm (5 performances)

PERFORMANCE VENUE: Little Theatre, Adelaide University

REHEARSALS: Rehearsals will begin late March, typically on Tuesday evenings (6:00pm – 9:00pm) and Saturdays (11:00am – 4:00pm), depending on availability. Full rehearsal schedule TBC with director and cast; however, cast MUST have availability for full days June 29th and 30th and preferably be fully available from June 26th. Please email us if you have any questions about the rehearsal period, otherwise the director will discuss this further with you if you are cast in the production.


CHARACTERS:

DOCTOR VAN HELSING (F) (stage age:  20s-40s) (accent: American): A female vampire hunter. She takes no nonsense from anybody. She's been through it. She's a bit of a know-it-all; okay, she's a lot of a know-it-all. She's prickly. She's strong. She's brilliant. She's no Lady. She's on the hunt. She is a badass despite however negatively others may look upon her for that.

MINA HARKER (F) (stage age: 20s) (accent: British): Very smart. Caring. Loyal. She wants to do the right thing and was raised to be a Lady, and is thus suppressing an inner fire that emerges throughout the progression of the play. Great emotional depth, good sense of humor. Faces her darkest fears and comes out stronger at the end of it. Secretly an adventurer and fighter. Married to Jonathan Harker and best friend of Lucy Westenra.

LUCY WESTENRA (F) (stage age: 20s) (accent: British): Bright, funny, vivacious, playful, and mischievous. Feels trapped and torn by expectations. Believes she must pretend to be less than she is. Yearns for freedom. Falls desperately ill after being bitten by Dracula and then becomes an animalistic vampire demon. Her vampire self is deeply unpredictable and frightening. Engaged to Seward and best friend of Mina Harker.

MARILLA (F) (stage age: 20s) (accent: Eastern European/British): A vampire. More animal than human. Was lured into vampirehood by Dracula, who then proceeded to exploit her. Enjoys being a predator. Finds pleasure in consuming others. Capable of moving very fast, sister-wife to DRUSILLA. Is objectified by Dracula and resents it. Doubles as MAID - an underpaid, resentful servant.

DRUSILLA (F) (stage age: 20s) (accent: Eastern European/British): A vampire. More animal than human. Was lured into vampirehood by Dracula, who then proceeded to exploit her. Enjoys being a predator. Finds pleasure in consuming others. Capable of moving very fast, sister-wife to MARILLA. Is objectified by Dracula and resents it. Doubles as MILLER - a casually brutal asylum attendant, and MERCHANT - a merchant looking to make a sale.

RENFIELD (F) (stage age: 30s) (accent: British): A madwoman. Worships Dracula. Believes that if she can earn his approval, she will be free. Acts almost like a child in a way. Takes her own life.

DRACULA (M) (stage age: over 400 years old, but appears no older than 30) (accent: Eastern European/British): A physically imposing man. He is extremely Charming. You’d like him- no, really. you would. He makes people lose their heads. Manipulative. Commanding. Capable of being very, very frightening. Unpredictable. Unimaginably powerful. Brilliant. Casually takes pleasure in cruelty. A sexual sadist. A toxic predator; a very old and clever parasite, capable of adapting and surviving. Fundamentally enjoys himself.

JONATHAN HARKER (M) (stage age: 20s) (accent: British): Very, very British. A nice man. If being unkind, one could say he's delicate. Loves his wife, Mina, deeply. Is bitten by Dracula, and then loses his mind-becoming an easily confused, raving mess. After recovering from sickness, he slowly gives in to Dracula's darkness - becoming an abusive, toxic man. Once he's under Dracula's influence, we can't always tell if he's telling the truth. Can quickly switch from likable to extremely volatile.

DOCTOR GEORGE SEWARD (M) (stage age 20s-30s) (accent: British): The head physician of a lunatic asylum. Starts out the play a product of his era - has some trouble listening to women. Doesn't like to not feel in control. Chivalrous. Thinks of himself as a modern man; a man of science. Over the course of the play, he learns to accept female leadership and question his assumptions. A brave man. Likeable. Engaged to Lucy Westenra and has a very contentious relationship with Van Helsing.

Note: This production is open to actors of all levels and experience. While stage ages are varied, casting will be age blind. The genders indicated are merely there to reflect that of the characters. People of all ethnicities are encouraged to audition for any of the roles. Please note however, all actors MUST be over the age of 18 by the dates of the show (July 1-4).

AUDITION STRUCTURE: 

Audition material will be sent out prior to the dates, and auditions will take place in maximum groups of four. We will start with a brief warm-up, then actors will perform an individual segment where they will be asked to perform a monologue. Actors will then go into group scenes with either other auditionees or a member of the panel. Auditions will take approximately 30 minutes.