Lessons Learned

Oct 31, 2021: So we heard the people…

And too many said that they had trouble seeing and hearing. Now that seemed like a trap immersive or walk-through theatre can easily fall prey to. We read the reviews and listened to our audiences. Frankly, we get that people aren’t used to standing for 20 minutes or navigating crowds these days. So a shift seemed called for. We can take a note.

The show we opened on Oct 1 was not the show audiences saw on closing night at Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee, NC. If you’ve been keeping up with the blog, then you’ll know that Dracula: The Failings of Men was a work in progress of the best kind. From our original script to the immersive aspects, it’s all been a joyful exploration of the space and time we had. Sp, instead of walking through the entire first act, audiences followed along with Lucy Westenra into her Draculean dreams and take their seats by Act 1, Scene 4.

With the change, we had to forego some really gorgeous moments, but what we gained is immeasurable. Our actors, who are such amazing stage combatants, no longer had to navigate unsure footing and our entire audience has improved sound and sight-lines. The show is now something we are thrilled to share with the world.

As we begin this last week of performances, I’ll admit that it’s sort of bittersweet. This team has been so amazing as we built this show from the ground up and kept messing with it. Getting to watch them play in their roles, support the show through their Instagram takeovers, and jus the the people they are has truly been a treat. The fact that it’s so close to ending is the only thing that makes it bitter. I could go on living this undead dream forever, but I suppose Dracula shows are really only popular in the fall… Poo on that, but I certainly can’t control the will of the people.

In short, this show was such an amazing learning experience for all of us, and I think that’s important to get out there. We may not always be perfect from the jump, but if the heart and intention is there, then the best will come to the front. Us producers are heading up for this last weekend, and I can’t wait to see how the actors have found their groove. I hope you get (or got) to, too.

Darby Guinn

Catch-All Producer