FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Ellen McDonald
816-213-4355
ellen@mershonandmcdonald.com
FOR TICKETS: Box Office at
816-235-2700 or www.KCRep.org

Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Announces Cast for
Dracula

Vanessa Severo will play Van Helsing and Co-Direct
Her adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Terrifying Classic
October 14 to November 2 on the Copaken Stage

Tickets Now on Sale!

Kansas City, Mo. (Sept. 9, 2025) – Kansas City Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Stuart Carden is proud
to announce that the dynamic Vanessa Severo will lead the cast and co-direct her uniquely terrifying
adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Last year’s world premiere in Cincinnati was met with critical
acclaim: “it’s a Dracula that will surprise—delight and frighten—even the most veteran horror fans,”
(City Beat).

This adaptation is a visceral, sensual, and utterly unexpected journey into the heart of darkness,
illuminating the resilience of the feminine spirit. Co-directed by Severo and her writing partner Joanie
Schultz, Dracula stars Severo as Van Helsing, with New York actor Nathan M. Ramsay in the role of
Dracula. Running from October 14 to November 2 on the Copaken Stage, tickets are now on sale.

High-res photos can be found at www.kcrep.org/press.

Carden stated, “Vanessa Severo and Joanie Schultz have reimagined Dracula with bold theatricality,
fierce intelligence, and a thrillingly contemporary lens. Reclaimed through a powerful female
perspective, this adaptation transforms a story long defined by male dominance into one of women’s
agency, voice, and vision. At KCRep, we are proud to share this fearless production that invites Kansas
City to experience a classic like never before.“

ELAINE ELIZABETH CLIFFORD (Lucy) is a performing artist based in Kansas City. She has written and
produced several original works, the most recent of which was Mother of Monsters at The Arts Asylum
in November 2024. Other recent performance credits include: The Eye of the Seer with Charlotte Street,
The Head of Medusa with KC Public Theatre, Joseph: The Amazing…Dreamcoat with Theatre Atchison,
Humbug with The Kansas City Club, The Grapes of Wrath with The Arts Asylum, and Vilna: A Resistance
Story with The White Theatre. Elaine is also an Artist in Residence at The Charlotte Street Foundation in
Kansas City.

HARMON DOT AUT (Renfield) is an award-winning playwright, actor, and visual artist. Recipient of the
prestigious Venturous Playwriting Fellowship for innovative, synesthetic play, Tornado Tastes like
Aluminum Sting. Speaker and advocate for Autism, Disability, and Trans representation in the Arts.
Harmon is thrilled to return to the role of Renfield after the premiere at Cincy in 2024. Thank you,
Vanessa and Joanie, for inviting me to participate again. And thank you to KCRep for this fabulous
homecoming. Currently in production on the feature documentary, The Harmon Project, their
experiences on disability (SSDI) and agoraphobia. Upcoming: writing/starring in a commissioned play
from CATF about unhoused LGBTQ2+ youth. Instagram: harmondotauttheoneandonly. Represented by
Katie McGrath, Arise Artists Agency.

CAMERON FERGUSON (Dr. Seward) KCRep: Broke-ology. Local: Turandot, Cenerentola (Lyric Opera of
Kansas City). Regional: All the Rage, Oscar and Felix (Playhouse West). International: The Wizarding
World of Harry Potter (Universal Studios Japan). TV/Film: The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS). Education:
MBA, MS Marketing and MA Arts Administration, University of Cincinnati; BM in Vocal Arts, University of
Southern California. Upcoming: Porgy and Bess (Lyric Opera of Kansas City). Affiliations: SAG-AFTRA,
AGMA. AEA Member.

CHAZ FEUERSTINE (Jonathan/James) KCRep: debut. Local: Jersey Boys (New Theatre); A Chorus Line
(MTH). New York: Cabaret & Flashdance (Gateway Playhouse). Regional: Singin’ in the Rain, Beauty and
the Beast (McCoy/ Rigby); 9 to5, Damn Yankees (San Diego M.T.); Oliver!, Les Mis (Musical Theatre
West); Shrek, Big Fish, Titanic, (Moonlight Amp); West Side Story (Candlelight Pavilion, PVPA); Plaid
Tidings, Anything Goes (Welk Resort). Live Stage: Red Car News Boys (The Disneyland Resort); Vocalist
(Silversea Cruise-line). Education: BA Cal State San Bernardino.

DRI HERNAEZ (Mina) KCRep: Emma, Cyrano de Bergerac, A Christmas Carol, Peter Pan & Wendy.
Regional: The Heart Sellers (Theatreworks, Colorado Springs). Local: Designing Women, The Heart
Sellers, Poor Clare (The Unicorn Theatre); Gulag Girls (Rising Tide Productions); Princess. Goddess. Witch.
Weaver. (InterUrban ArtHouse); Alphabet Soup: Theater From Queer Voices (Whim Productions); Wheel
of Fortune, Crutchie: Go F*ck Yourself (Charolotte Street Foundation – Scratch Night) Film: Once I Was
Engaged (Main Dog & Escapology Little Wagon Films) Education: BA in Elementary Education – Minor in
Theatre Performance at B.Y.U – Hawai’i. MFA in Acting, University of Missouri – Kansas City
Conservatory. Labyrinth Theatre Intensive Ensemble Member 2022.

SHANNA JONES (Mrs. Westerna) KCRep: Emma, Once, Between the Lines, Side by Side by Sondheim, The
Diary of Anne Frank, Sunday in the Park with George, Stillwater, Hair: Retrospection, Santaland Diaries, A
Christmas Carol. Local: Nunsense, Freaky Friday, Bridesmaids, Mama Mia, Sister Act (New Theatre
Restaurant); Next To Normal (Kansas Repertory Theatre) Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (Coterie).
New York: Phaedra’s Floating Cabaret, Undone, Decline and Fall (New York Theatre Workshop).
Regional: Tug of War; Foreign Fire & Civil Strife (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Les Misérables (Pioneer
Theatre Company); Romeo and Juliet (Utah Shakespearean Festival); Man of La Mancha, Into the Woods,
Miracle Worker, 42nd Street, To Kill A Mockingbird (Hale Center Theatre); Saturday’s Voyeur (Salt Lake
Acting Company). Education: BFA, Actor Training Program University of Utah AEA Member.

NATHAN RAMSEY (Dracula) KC Rep debut! Nathan M. Ramsey is a Bronx, NY born and bred, U.S. Air
Force war veteran. Theater includes: The Public Theater (Twelfth Night—Shakespeare in the Park, Much
Ado About Nothing—Mobile Shakespeare Unit, Plays for the Plague Year—Joe’s Pub), Classical Theater
of Harlem (Malvolio), Dallas Theater Center (Shane), Oregon Shakespeare Festival (The Tempest),
People’s Light (A Christmas Carol), Theater At Monmouth (The Agitators, Measure for Measure, Crumbs
from the Table of Joy). TV: Blue Bloods (CBS). Training: MFA, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
www.nathanmramsey.com.

VANESSA SEVERO (Playwright/co-Director/Van Helsing) KCRep: Emma, Twelfth Night, Ms. Holmes & Ms.
Watson – Apt 2B, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Frida…A Self Portrait, Sex with Strangers, Vanya, Sonia, Masha,
and Spike, A Christmas Story (The Musical), Roof of the World, A Christmas Carol(2009-2019). Regional:
Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Guthrie Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, Portland Center Stage,
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Pittsburgh Public Theater, GEVA Theatre, Indianapolis Repertory
Theater, Writers Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Coterie Theatre, Kansas City Actors Theatre, Heart of
America Shakespeare Festival, Spinning Tree Theatre, The Livingroom. International: Frida…A Self
Portrait, Rio de Janeiro World Theater Day Conference. Awards: Kilroys List 2020 (Frida…A Self Portrait);
TCG Fox Fellowship Grant 2018; Dramatist Guild Grant 2022; Artist in Residency, Carlsbad, CA – 2021;
Artist in Residency, Peoria, AZ – 2025. Education: Missouri State University, American Theater
Conservatory (San Francisco), Trained and certified Suzuki Method/The Viewpoints – under the direction
of Ellen Lauren (SITI Company), 2018. Upcoming: Frida…A Self Portrait (Milwaukee Repertory Theater),
Little Women (Portland Center Stage), Everybody (Kansas City Actors Theatre), Frida…A Self Portrait
(ACT, Seattle). VanessaSevero.com | AEA Member | SDC Member | Dramatist Guild

DONOVAN WOODS (Arthur/US Dracula) Donovan Woods is excited to return to the KC Rep stage with
this story! On television, he appeared in PRIMO (Amazon Freevee). His film credits include Redeemer
Kansas City Repertory Theatre Announces Cast for Dracula. Oct. 14 – Nov. 2, 2025 Page 4
(2024, Official Selection – LA Shorts International Film Festival), Unseen (2020), Endowed (2017), and
Letters from a Father (2016). On stage, Donovan has brought to life a range of dynamic roles in
productions such as Dracula (Cincinnati Playhouse), Dreamgirls (New Theatre), She Loves Me (Creede
Repertory Theatre), Lifespan of a Fact (Unicorn Theatre), Kill Move Paradise (Unicorn Theatre),
Hairspray (Tent Theatre), Feast: A Yoruba Project (Vineyard Entertainment), Brothers Size(Unicorn
Theatre), Brother Toad (Kansas City Repertory, World Premiere), Between the Lines (Kansas City
Repertory, World Premiere), and A Raisin in the Sun (Kansas City Repertory). His creative work also
includes directing and choreographing including Fat Ham (Unicorn Theatre), directing at YADA Theatre,
and serving as a vocal mentor and assistant music director with EPIC Theatre Company in Los Angeles.

The musical, creative and production team for Dracula includes TREVOR BOWEN (Costume Design),
JENISE COOK (Intimacy Consultant), KITTY CORUM (Fight Choreographer), THOMAS DIXON (Sound
Design/Composer), KATHERINE DOHOGNE (Associate Costume Designer), MARK EXLINE (Scenic Design),
CAROLYN JACKSON (Stage Manager), JANA LATCHAW (Associate Director), PABLO SANTIAGO (Lighting
Design), CHASLEE SCHWEITZER (Dialect Coach), BLAINE SHEPHERD (Wig/Hair and Makeup Design),
MEGAN SMITH (Assistant Stage Manager), JACOB SOUDERS (Associate Sound Design), and KATJA
ZAROLINSKY (Casting). Understudies include CHIOMA ANYANWU (Van Helsing), JOSHUA GLEESON (Dr.
Seward), and EMMY PANZICA-PIONTEK (Lucy).

Based on the Novel by Bram Stoker
By Vanessa Severo in collaboration
with Joanie Schultz
Directed by Joanie Schultz and
Vanessa Severo

When the lines blur between
predator and prey, the power of
women’s strength rises from the
shadows in this fearless adaptation
of Bram Stoker’s iconic DRACULA.

 

 

Oct. 14 – Nov. 2, 2025 | Copaken Stage
Based on the Novel by Bram Stoker
By Vanessa Severo in collaboration with Joanie Schultz
Tickets start at $44.

A visceral, sensual, and utterly unexpected journey into the heart of darkness, this Dracula illuminates
the resilience of the feminine spirit. Created by the powerhouse duo of Vanessa Severo (Frida…A Self
Portrait) and Joanie Schultz, the classic narrative is reclaimed, revealing a Dracula you’ve never seen
before. Provocative and pulsing with new life, “it’s a Dracula that will surprise–delight and frighten–
even the most veteran horror fans.” – Rick Pender, City Beat, Cincinnati.

Tue., Oct. 14 7:00 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 15 7:00 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 16 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 17 8:00 p.m.*
Sat., Oct. 18 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 19 2:00 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 21 7:00 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 22 7:00 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 23 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 24 8:00 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 25 2:00 p.m.** & 8:00 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 26 2:00 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 29 7:00 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 30 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 31 8:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 1 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 2 2:00 p.m.

* press night
** ASL Signed Performance

Ticket Information
For more information about the 2025-2026 season, call Ticketing Services, 816-235-2700 or visit
https://kcrep.org/. Single tickets begin at $44.00. For group ticket sales, call 816-235-6122.

Sponsors
KCRep’s 2025-2026 season is underwritten by Mark Edelman Theater Fund at the Jewish Community
Foundation of Greater Kansas City, the Hall Family Foundation, Hallmark Cards, Muriel McBrien
Kauffman Family Foundation, The McDonnell Foundation, Inc., Missouri Arts Council (a state agency,
whose gift is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts), The Shubert
Foundation, and University of Missouri Kansas City.
The Mark Edelman Theater Fund at the Jewish Community Center is Lead Sponsor for Dracula.

About Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Celebrating 60 years of transformative theater, Kansas City Repertory Theatre is a cultural catalyst at the
center of our nation’s creative crossroads. Upholding their mission to inspire, entertain, and open minds
by creating transformative theatre experiences for all KCRep produces world-renowned classic works
and world premieres on their two mainstages, in unique spaces, and throughout the community. Lauded
by The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Variety and The Toronto Sun, KCRep regularly produces at Spencer
Theatre, where it serves as the professional theatre in residence at the University of Missouri-Kansas
City, and Copaken Stage located in downtown Kansas City. Under Artistic Director Stuart Carden and
Executive Director Jeremy Dewey, KCRep employs more than 150 professional artists, technicians, and
administrators, and historically serves more than 60,000 patrons and 10,000 school children annually.
To receive updates and news, like KCRep at www.facebook.com/KCREP, follow on Twitter (@KCRep) or
Instagram(@KCRepTheatre) or YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kansascityrep.

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Direct all media inquiries to Ellen McDonald, 816-213-4355 or
ellen@mershonandmcdonald.com