DRACULA

A Gothic Ballet of Love and Shadows

Based on the novel by Irish author Bram Stoker, with choreography by the acclaimed Viktor Plotnikov, this ballet will haunt audiences well after the performance concludes. 

Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 7pm 

Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 2pm 

Copeland Hall 

Tickets: $25 - $67

DRACULA

Based on the Gothic novel by Bram Stoker 

Choreography by VIKTOR PLOTNIKOV

Mental patient Renfield is held captive in Dr. John Seward’s institution. Dracula frees him and implants in him the desire to gain the life-force of flies, spiders, birds and cats. Renfield considers Dracula his master and follows him everywhere.

Lawyer Jonathon Harker is assigned by the firm he works for to do a property transaction in Transylvania for a man who wants to buy property in London.

A reception is being held at Jonathon’s house for his fiancée’s friend, Lucy Westenra, a vivacious young woman who is praised for her beauty and sweet nature. These qualities earn her three suitors, all of whom propose to her on the same day: Arthur Holmwood, the wealthy son of Lord Godalming; Quincey Morris, an American cowboy; and Dr. John Seward, a primitive psychiatrist. Jonathon arrives at the end of the party and tells his fiancée Mina Murray, a young school mistress, that he must go to Transylvania. 

Jonathon arrives in Transylvania and goes to Count Dracula’s home. There he is greeted by the mysterious and ominous Dracula and finalizes the property transaction. Jonathan takes out a picture of Mina, and Dracula becomes convinced that it is his former wife. Dracula believes this is destiny, and he leaves in pursuit of Mina. Jonathan is feeling uneasy and notices that strange things are happening. He realizes he has been made a prisoner by his host. He has a dangerous encounter with the three seductive brides of Dracula. By morning he feels he is in danger and makes his escape.

Dracula appears at a café in London and meets Mina and Lucy. Mina shows no interest in Dracula, but Lucy flirts with him. He finds that Lucy is the link to Mina and pursues Lucy as his prey.

Lucy comes down with a mysterious illness. Dr. John Seward calls in Professor Van Helsing, his former teacher, to assist. Van Helsing realizes that Lucy is the victim of a vampire, and he guides Dr. Seward and his friends in their efforts to save Lucy.

Dracula calls Lucy to the garden and kills her. Van Helsing tells the men that Lucy is undead and explains what needs to be done. Arthur refuses to believe Van Helsing, until they open the coffin, and he sees that she is not there. Lucy returns and uses her power to influence Arthur, and he falls under her spell. Arthur is almost bitten, and the men kill her.

Mina is alone and upset by Lucy’s death when Dracula appears. He convinces her that they should be together, that it is destiny. He hesitates to bite her because he truly loves her. The men barge in to save her and face Dracula. Dracula defeats them and escapes back to Transylvania. 

Jonathon returns home to England. When faced with Mina’s curse, he is unsure how to react. Van Helsing explains that in order to release Mina from this spell, they have to kill Dracula. They go to Transylvania to hunt down and destroy Dracula but....

Length: 1 hour 48 minutes including one intermission