UW-Superior Theatre Debuts “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really”

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Superior Theatre Program has begun showcasing its first production of the 2025-2026 season.

The play is a familiar name for audiences, though this time there will be a twist.

“It’s called ‘Dracula, A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really,'” said the show’s Assistant Director Andy Hill. “It’s kind of taking the original Dracula script, but it’s thrown in a bunch of counter-narratives towards gender traditional gender roles in society.”

Actors at the school say that reframing the well-known story allows them to explore different aspects of the tale that might not have been seen before.

“We’re very much looking at the roles that women play and what they’re allowed to do societally,” said UWS Freshman Chris Teeters, who plays Lucy Westenra.

“At the same time, there is a deeper meaning amongst the show, where at least my interpretation of it, our vampires, or at least Dracula, kind of represents the abuse men can have in the world and the power that men have,” said Teeters.

This isn’t first time UWS has turned original narratives on their heads either, which is something long actors there are pretty proud of.

“I love being able to tell that story in a way that is consumable to the audience and fun to tell, and just being able to have space for me and other women to perform and tell those stories,” said Hailey Bault, a UWS Theatre veteran who portrays Mina Harker in the show.

While you’ll see plenty of familiar faces in familiar places, the new interpretation of the classic is a breath of fresh air.

“So many times we’ll watch a great movie and be able to watch it again, but we don’t have that same experience of watching it for the first time,” said Dorian Ackman, who plays the title character in the production.

“With this Dracula, there is a whole different plot line that some might be already familiar to with. The original characters are ended up swapped around in some cases, and it’s got really interesting plot lines that the original doesn’t explore,” said Ackman.

Despite the play deals with some sensitive themes, the crew says they’ve got the perfect cast to do the story justice.

“The first name that pops to my mind is Katie McPherson, who’s playing our Dr. Van Helsing,” said Hill.

A veteran actor of the school’s theatre program himself, Hill was quick to give the praise to his cast before himself.

“Jenny Ostazeski (as Renfeld), Jack Gilbert (as Jonathan Harker), and Nolan Crouch (as Dr. George Seward), Dorian Ackman (is) a fantastic Dracula, and Chris Teeters is an absolutely incredible Lucy for us.”

“It’s a dream cast,” said Hill.

“Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy” debuts on Halloween night, with further shows on Nov. 1, 6, 7, at 7:00 PM, and Nov. 2, 8, at 2:00 PM. Tickets are available at UW-Superior’s website.