The cast for Moorpark College’s production of “Dracula” has been determined and 21 actors realize the auditions and callbacks were well-worth it as they start rehearsals.

Productions Director John Loprieno had the difficult task of deciding who to cast from over 100 students who auditioned.

Auditions were held Wednesday, Aug. 20 with callbacks only a day later. Students were asked to sit in the main stage auditorium as one by one, scenes were performed for Loprieno. The atmosphere for callbacks was completely different as nerves started to settle, and actors became more serious about receiving the roles.

“The audition process felt like I was a tiny fish in a huge sea,” said Kate Smith, an 18-year-old Theater major. “Callbacks were more personalized because John made it clear what he wanted to see from everyone.”

Steven Dietz’s adaption of “Dracula” is the classic story of the Count’s voyage to England and pursuit of two young women. The play follows the original story closely including characters such as Harker, Seward, Van Helsing, and Dracula’s brides.

Each role of the production is double cast, enabling the director to rotate the actors between performances. Bryan Atkins and Jeremiah Gray play the terrifying Lord of the vampires, Dracula. Leah Dalrymple, Kate Roach, Sienna Privat, and Brenna Williams play the two innocent female leads in the production, Lucy and Mina. Ryan Driscoll and Cory Shackelford bring life to Dracula’s lunatic servant, Renfield.

Students started rehearsals Monday, Aug. 25 with a read-through of the script, and since then have been working tirelessly to bring their characters to life.

“This is my first show at Moorpark and I’m so excited to get to know the cast and for the dedication that is involved with a show like this,” said Shackelford, 18.

Along with a talented cast, the show will offer special effects, grand sets, and gothic fog all to create the eerie atmosphere of the original story.

“I’m most excited for the effects and the set is going to be amazing,” said Remy Muloway, who plays Harker. “It’s going to be really intense, but I want to have the audience feel the terror that my character goes through and relate to him.”

Students can look forward to this tale of the supernatural, running Oct. 16-26 in the Performing Arts Building, just in time for the Halloween season. For tickets and additional information visit http://sunny.moorparkcollege.edu/theatre/.