2008 Woodie Awards
'Dracula and Me' to benefit USA Oracle
Rob Holbert
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Fine Arts
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Commedia del Arte has been active for the past 15 years, performing plays from all periods in Mobile and Baldwin County, as well as in Mississippi. Their shows often benefit charities and schools, most recently the University of South Alabama's Oracle. This year marks the company's fifth performance in the last two years to benefit the Oracle.
In the comic murder mystery "Dracula and Me," "a troupe of Victorian actors preparing to perform the play Dracula, discover that one of the members of the cast, Lucy, played by Elizabeth Vardaman, had been bitten by a vampire."
The remaining cast, realizing one of them must be the vampire, seek to put the blame on someone else. Unsure of the vampire's identity, the cast decides to seek the help of a vampire hunter Professor Van Helsing, played by Nicole Schlaudecker. They are rather greeted with Miss Van Helsing, played by E. A. Keeble, who informs the cast of an unfortunate accident involving her brother. The actors take matters into their own hands, attempting to lure Lucy out so as to keep her from biting anyone else. The viewer is kept on their toes, questioning if the mystery will be solved and if the real vampire will be unmasked. The cast often interacts with the audience in attempt to solve the mystery.
Commedia del Arte enlists actors of all ages and backgrounds, now including two current USA students and two alumni. The remaining actors of "Dracula and Me" include Shari Prestwood playing Dracula, Ashley Kuppersmith playing Renfield and Alana Miller playing Mina.
A dollar from each $5 "Dracula" ticket sale goes directly to aid in the production costs of the literary magazine. Because the Oracle is entirely produced by students and faculty, donations from the community, such as "Dracula and Me," help make the yearly magazine possible.
Student work in all areas, including poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and fine art, is submitted for review to the Oracle. Work is then judged by a selected panel, and winning submissions are published. Submission guidelines vary for each category and can be found at http://www.southalabama.edu/oracle/guide.html.
This year's Oracle staff includes Alyson Koblas, Editor-in-Chief; William Bunce, Art Director; Amanda Johnson, Art Curator; Michelle Ladner, Fiction Editor; Ashley Gruner and Jo Ann Olivera, Non-Fiction Editors; Prianka Mansur, Poetry Editor; Kathryn Garikes, Deborah Ferguson and Melissa Smith, Advisers.
Those interested in participating on Oracle's editorial board, art board or design team should e-mail their name and area of interest to Art Adviser Diane Gibbs at dianegibbsau@yahoo.com or English Adviser Ellen Harrington at eharrington@usouthal.edu. Keep in mind that serving on an Oracle board or even submitting your work for publication looks great on a resume and is an excellent opportunity to volunteer a day or two of your time!
All submissions for the Oracle must be received electronically by Nov. 16. A specific date will be set aside for students submitting artwork who are unfamiliar with or unable to document their pieces electronically. For further information,please visit http://www.southalabama.edu/oracle.
Your participation in "Dracula and Me" on Oct. 7 at the Museum of Mobile will not only show your support for Commedia del Art, but it will also benefit the University, making for a better 2008 Oracle.
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