Director’s Note
I was never really into vampires. However, I ALWAYS wanted to be a vampire hunter.
The current zeitgeist surrounding vampires is a sympathetic examination of the plights of immortality. Pop culture stories reveal a heightened existence achieved by these apex predators of humanity. Anne Rice and Stephenie Meyer have done much to shed light (teehee) on the inner life experienced by the undead. Anne Rice, in particular, has given us relatable vampires that reveal more about the human experience than their mortal counterparts. A personal favorite of Anne Rice’s work (though she only co-wrote) is the film Byzantium. Check it out if you haven’t seen it.
For this project, however, I found myself wanting to tell the story of humanity.
The reason I love vampire hunters is likely because of my own battle with “demons.” As one lucky enough to have an active imagination, it was easy to view my “issues” as monsters. I often saw depression, addiction, and apathy as personified monsters that lived inside my own head. When battling those creatures, characters like Buffy, Simon and Trevor Belmont, and even Ash from the Evil Dead series, gave me heroes who fought hordes of monsters head on and won. (I even really enjoy the anime series Claymore for some similar themes here.)
We have an opportunity to tell a story of triumph over the darkness that seems unsurmountable. Dracula represents the unseen forces in the world that drain us of our vitality. He is a monster that lives inside our head and perverts the things that make life worth living. Van Helsing is the hero that sees the shadows for what they are: just a man. She peels back the fear and seeks the confrontation that is necessary to move forward. In the end, a hero wins and this is something I think the world needs.
Go safely,
Jake Guinn
SPECIAL THANKS TO…
Cherokee Historical Association for going along with this bloody idea
& Mark and Katie Guinn for being our generous blood donors
Cast & Crew
Benedetto Robinson
Dracula & Playwright
Benedetto Robinson is an Atlanta actor, fight choreographer, action performer and proud member of Havoc Movement Company. This play marks his first foray into the world of scriptwriting, and is very dear to him. Benedetto’s onstage credits include Narnia (Aslan, Serenbe Playhouse), The Hobbit (Thorin Oakenshield, Synchronicity Theatre), The Lost Colony (Simon Fernando, RIHA), and Colman Domingo’s DOT (Fidel, Kenny Leon’s True Colors and the Billie Holiday Theatre). He sends love and thanks to Jake Guinn for his constant encouragement and resolute friendship from the conception of the show all the way to today and beyond, to Imani Joseph for her support through all the late nights and struggles during the scriptwriting and revision process in the middle of a pandemic, to the Cherokee Historical Association and Havoc for giving this thing a chance, and most of all to this cast and crew for giving bodies to these words. Without their hard work, big ideas, and willingness to play, there would be no Dracula: The Failings of Men. Benedetto is represented by The People Store in Atlanta and the greater Southeast, and by About Artists Agency in New York. Instagram: @bennyandthedett, Twitter @BennyAndtheDett. Website: benedettorobinson.com.
Tiza Garland
Ada Van Helsing
Tiza Garland is an Associate Professor of acting, movement, and stage combat at the University of Florida where she is the resident Fight Director and Intimacy Director. Recent credits include Cardboard Moon (Stella) New Works Play Festival at the Hippodrome Theatre, Up the Ladder, Down the Slide (Karen) for PlayFest at Orlando Shakes, Two Musketeers (Milady/Queen/Actor 2) at the Hippodrome Theatre. Favorite roles include Anne in Richard III (Bard in the Barn), Othello in Othello, Cleopatra in Anthony and Cleopatra, and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (Unrehearsed Shakespeare Co.).
Bailey Frankenburg
Lucy Westenra
Bailey Frankenburg is THRILLED to be making her debut at the Mountainside Theatre as Lucy, fulfilling a life long dream of becoming a vampire! Bailey is originally from Oklahoma and is based in New York City when she’s not traveling in her camper van. She attended the CAP21 Acting Conservatory and some of her favorite stage credits include Eleanor Dare (The Lost Colony 2021), Doralee in 9 to 5 (Arrow Rock Lyceum), Alvin and the Chipmunks Live! (National Tour), and Lucy in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Theatre Aspen). She has appeared in operas as a combat fighter and loves being a returning singer at Tokyo Disney. Bailey would love to thank this absolutely incredible team- creative, cast, and crew- for building such a bloody fun show and her parents, family, cat, and fiancé for their enthusiastic support for her artist life. Bailey is Choctaw & a tribal citizen of Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma and is so humbled and honored to be performing on the Qualla Boundary. baileyfrankenberg.com
Jon Meyer
John Seward & Safety Captain
Jon Meyer is an Actor and Choreographer for stage and screen. He bid farewell to his Kentucky home and made his way to New York City, which is where he continues to make art today. Over the last few years he was focused on teaching combat for the stage with Neutral Chaos Combat, but he's back and ready for action as your good Doctor, Jack Seward! Recent credits include: STAGE - Sir Walter Raleigh (The Lost Colony), Gallipot (The Roaring Girl), Baron Tuzenbach (Three Sisters), Jack (Horn in the West) FILM - the Young man (Aqua Vitae, short film), Gregory (Sun Wolf, short film), Featured Stunt (Night Sweats, feature film) TV - Featured Stunt (ESPN, commercial), Michael (Love Asterisk*, web series), Guest Star (Stray, web series). Jon is immensely excited and grateful to be working with all the talented artists with Havoc Movement Company, as well as the entire cast and crew of Dracula: The Failings of Men!
Michael Brewer
Arthur Godalming & Pyro Master
Michael Brewer is working with Havoc Movement Company for the first time. However, he has worked at Mountainside Theatre for the past two seasons of Unto These Hills and for Sleepy Hollow in 2019. He is pleased to be able to continue to perform in the Great Smoky Mountains of Cherokee once again. Michael made his way from the University of Houston Professional Actor Training Program over two years ago, and in addition to performing, also teaches Acting, Voice & Articulation, and other theatre classes at Western Carolina University. Shout out to all my students who are here tonight for the show!
Playing Arthur in this production of Dracula has been a bloody thrill (said in a British accent, of course). There's so much excitement in this script: fighting, pyrotechnics, aerial work, and so many other cool things. Suffice it to say I'm happy to get this show on its feet. Thank you for making your way to Cherokee. This spooky season show is one you won't forget. (~ insert evil laugh track here ~)
Vinnie Mascola
R.M. Renfield
Vinnie Mascola is proud and excited to be making his Havoc debut alongside this amazing cast, crew, and production team. He is based in Atlanta where he has appeared in many productions with The Atlanta Shakespeare Company. He would like to thank his family and friends for their endless support and love, as well as everyone who worked so hard to make this show possible. He would also like to thank you, for supporting live theatre and the arts.
Chelsey Moore
Stage Manager
Chelsey Moore is thrilled to be working with Havoc Movement Company for the first time, but she is no stranger to Cherokee, North Carolina. Chelsey was the Production Stage Manager for "Unto These Hills" for the 2015 and 2021 summer seasons. As of this fall, she has also taken on the role of Communications and Development Director at Cherokee Historical Association. Chelsey was bitten by the theatre bug in high school when she became involved in Rabun Gap Nacoochee School's cirque program. She went on to receive a BFA in Theatre from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Chelsey is from the Northeast Georgia mountains and has been fortunate to work at several regional theatres across the country, including Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples, Florida, Highlands Playhouse in Highlands, North Carolina, and The Theater Barn in New Lebanon, New York. Chelsey is beyond excited to be spending spooky season bringing this new, immersive adaptation of a horror classic to life.
Chris Price
Technical Director
Chris Price is the Technical Director for CHA's Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama and Fall show Dracula. He is from Jamestown, NC and has graduated from Western Carolina University in 2020 with a BA in Stage and Screen.
Alexander Hillgartner
Asst. Technical Director
Alexander is a projection designer from Huntsville, Alabama. He spends his summers here in his home away from home, Cherokee, where he works for Unto These Hills, a drama that tells the history of the Cherokee Nation. Back in Alabama, Alexander finds work with the Huntsville Ballet Company and Huntsville Symphony Orchestra where he projects custom backdrops and vfx to enhance performances.
Alexander would like to thank the rest of the cast and crew for their amazing work in this complex (and messy!) horror experience.
Hillgartnerilluminations@gmail.com
Artistic Team
Jake Guinn
Director & Producer
Jake Guinn is an Atlanta based Director, Playwright, and Movement Artist. He is the current Creative Development Director and Co-owner of Havoc Movement Company. Jake is a second generation Fight Director following in the footsteps of his father and mentor. His selected credits include Marvel Universe Live! Age of Heroes, TruTV’s Fake/Off, Titanic, Hero’s Wife at Synchronicity Theatre, the Woodruff Arts Center, Actor's Theatre Lousiville, Florida Repertory Theatre, Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati Playhouse, Folding Chair Theatre, Southern Arkansas University, Louisiana Tech University, and The Seedling Project of Atlanta.
Kristen Noonan
Aerial Director & Producer
As one of the founders of Havoc Movement Company, Kristen Noonan is pleased to collab with Cherokee Historical Association for the first time to teach vampires old and new how to fly! She brings a deep and varied movement background stemming from rhythmic gymnastics, dance, contortion, and of course aerial arts. As a theatre artist, she has performed across the midwest, NYC, and Atlanta. She has also appeared as an aerialist/flyer on Americas Got Talent, Little Big Shots, and truTV’s Fake Off—the latter being where she met Havoc co-founder Jake Guinn. Noonan has also assisted with flying effects for Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines as well as many a good ole Peter Pan production. When she is not in “Havoc mode,” she is living her best cat life sleeping or contortion training (Instagram @krisnoon for evidence).
Deepest gratitude to everyone involved in the debut of this little demon baby of a show—let’s get bit!
Darby Guinn
Catch-All Producer
Darby Guinn was more than happy to take on editing, COVID Safety, marketing, assistant production management and assistant aerial choreography for Dracula: The Failings of Men! Darby is a playwright, editor, and marketing associate based in Atlanta, GA. When she’s not working for Peachtree Publishing Company, selling grade A children’s books, she’s a dedicated member of Havoc Movement Company. She co-wrote their first original production, Just Another Play About Rainbows, as 1/2 of the Guinn Twins writing duo. She is currently a developmental editor and producer for Havoc’s current projects, and boy, is she having a good time.
Kevin Roost
Fight Choreographer
Kevin Roost is jazzed up to be making a return to theater with Dracula. He is an actor and choreographer based in Atlanta and is the Director of Casting and Education for Havoc Movement Company. Big thanks to the whole team for making the process so enjoyable. Let’s have a bloody good time.
Cole Spivia
Costume Designer
Cole Spivia is a freelance Costume Designer and technician from Atlanta, Georgia. She's thrilled to be working with Havoc, and over the moon to be at Unto These Hills. She's designed for many companies in Atlanta and at several venues through the South East. Some of her favorite credits include: The Importance of Being Earnest (Theatre Buford), Fun Home (Actor's Express), Polka Dots: The Cool Kid's Musical (Mill Mountain Theatre), Disney's Freaky Friday: A New Musical (Horizon Theatre Company), Men on Boats (The Gainesville Theatre Alliance), and Mac/Beth (Synchronicity Theatre Company). Outside of the theatre she sells vintage and antique clothing, has been working on restoring a Victorian farmhouse, dabbles in fine art, and cosplay. You can view her work and pictures of her dog on Instagram @colespivia. All my love to Travis, Mom, and Scout.
Gus Zimmerman
Lighting Designer
Austin ‘Gus’ Zimmerman is on an adventure and is having a wild time navigating through it. Having escaped the flat and mundane terrain of the American Midwest, he found home in the astonishing Great Smoky Mountains. Gus has been working with Cherokee Historical Association for 5 years now as their lighting pal, as well, at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. He enjoys hiking, stargazing, camping, and spending time with his friends around a campfire. In the future, Gus dreams of learning guitar, becoming a notary public, and being able to afford a house atop a mountain.
Omari Joseph
Sound Designer
Omari Joseph (a.k.a. Olarian) is an Atlanta based producer and musician who’s stoked to have a hand in bringing Dracula to life. This is his first foray into creating music and sounds specifically for the stage, and it definitely won’t be the last!
Find some of his music here: https://soundcloud.com/omari-amal
Wes Milton
Pyrotechnic Designer
Wes Milton is honored to bring you epic vampire explosions in this retelling of the infamous and spooky Dracula. With over a decade of experience telling stories, Wes has worked in theatre in many capacities including special effects, directing, acting, and dance choreography for such companies like Theatre West Virginia, Cherokee Historical Association, Birmingham Children’s Theatre, and now, Havoc Movement Company. He received his BA in Theatre from AUM in Montgomery, AL where he learned that true stage craft is both on and off stage. In 2018, Wes started his own business, The Creative Raven, a multimedia, LGBTQ+ friendly company, specializing in photography and video production. His goals are to continue finding work and representation for minorities and people of color in both the theatre and film industry. A mental health advocate, Wes continually tries to raise awareness on substance abuse by creating content for his YouTube channel as a form of outreach and therapy for himself. Wes resides in Atlanta, GA with his fiancée Tina and their orange fluffy furbaby Livvy Bug. He would like to dedicate his work tonight to the many survivors currently battling trauma and PTSD.
Larry Luckeydoo
Asst. Stage Manager /SFX/Props/ Wardrobe
Larry Luckeydoo is super excited to be working with Havoc Movement as not only the Assistant Stage Manager but as the Prop's Designer as well. Larry began his theatre career in High School with production of Dracula and now he's finally seeing his big stage vampire dreams come true with this amazing retelling of Bram Stoker's classic. After graduating from Marshall University in 2015 he's gone on to work professionally at several different theaters such as Highlands Playhouse, Gulfshore Playhouse, and right here at Mountainside theatre with Unto These Hills. He'd like to thank all the cast, crew, and creative team for making process one that he'll always treasure.
Ash Anderson
Intimacy Director
Ash Anderson: Welcome to the Mountains y’all. Have fun! Hoot and Holler! Laugh! Shiver!
It was a blessing to share space to collaborate with these folk. A blessing to share it with you.
Brett Copes
Rigger
Brett Copes from FIGHT OR FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT. Rigging Specialist focusing on Rigging for Circus, Stunts, Rescue and Performer Flying. He is a SAG Stuntman, Stunt Rigger and Rigging Coordinator. Has been the Head Rigger of Circus Festivals and rigged for Cirkus Smirkus, Dream World Cirque, CAVALIA, Peter Pan 360, Mille +UNA (Italy), and Mar Del Zvr (Panama) and MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE. Brett has been a member of the Rigging Teams at Cirque Du Soliel: “O” and "IRIS",THE LIGHT,the BEATLES:LOVE and as the Acrobatic Project Manager for the HELENE FISCHER TOUR for CDS/45 Degrees. Brett has developed several Acrobatic Rigging Seminars, having taught across the USA, Central America, Australia and the UK.
More info and portfolio can be found at www.fightorflightent.com
A sneak peek at our Instagram…
