Dracula:
A Feminist Revenge Fantasy
Creative Team
Direction - Kris Kuss
Costume Design - Kate Hartigan
Lighting Design - Jackson Maner
Scenic Design - Larry Heyman
Props Design - Syd Martin
Assistant Costume Design - Giselle Miko
Stage Manager - Kris Gooding
*photos by Bryan Cardinale-Powell
check out the process! →
“We are not all monsters”
“The problem, sir, is that it’s hard to
tell which ones will consume you.”
-Seward and Mina, Act 2 Scene 9
In this feminist retelling of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the concepts of concept of toxic masculinity, vulnerability and power are explored. All of the designers collaborated to create a high-contrast design, the monochrome set was paired with monochromatic costumes in almost exclusively stark black and white. The red blood permanently embroidered visualizes the trail of harm Dracula has left in his wake, and the red beaded blood jewelry provides an aesthetically driven and reusable replacement for wet blood. Dramatized silhouettes inspired by both the 1890’s and modern runway fashions help to convey power and who has it. Characters with more power and agency have strong defined shoulders, while characters under Dracula’s control have exposed shoulders. This feminist retelling gives power to women against the oppressive control of toxic masculinity.
