Debuting Artist: Jonathan Paul
Jonathan Paul takes the stage for the first time with OpenStage in Dracula!
Please tell us bit about your background and how you got into theatre!
I got into theatre originally when I started middle school. We had to choose an elective class for the first year, and I insisted I wouldn’t participate in any of them. My mom, having the final say in the matter, signed me up for a drama class, knowing how much I liked being the center of attention. It was a huge hit of course! I continued acting throughout high school and despite having a brief period of self-doubt, eventually took theatre on as a second major, casting aside my investment in my computer-science degree (though I still finished with that too). Now I’m freshly graduated from the CSU Theatre Department and pursuing theatre as much as I can!
What is your role in this show, and what excites you most about working on this particular production?
I play Renfield, and what excites me most about this production is meeting and getting to know all the people I’m working with! Finding a community during the rehearsal process is not only a joy, but it really eases the tension that rigorous rehearsal can cause.
What has been a memorable part of the rehearsal process so far?
I think eating my first spider made for a memorable moment! Libby Shelstad (Properties and Set Dressing Designer) did an excellent job making a candy spider with just the right amount of crunch, and my sweet tooth certainly enjoyed! Not to mention the real spiders that I’ve had the pleasure of discovering crawling on the floor. I felt very in touch with Renfield when I helped them to safety.
What has been the most fun or interesting part of bringing your characters to life?
I’ve been very fascinated with Renfield’s relationship with his master, Dracula. What makes Dracula treat Renfield so differently from his other servants and brides? Exploring this question was an exciting mental exercise, and I think portraying my ideas in subtle ways makes for some really enjoyable character work.
What is your favorite moment or scene in the show (without spoilers), and why does it stand out to you?
I really love Harker’s meeting with the Count in Transylvania. The atmosphere is thick enough to be eaten with a spoon, and the sound design really heightens the gothic tone to the extreme.
If you could swap roles with any other character in this play for a day, who would it be and why?
Fittingly enough for Renfield, I would choose to swap with Dracula if I could. I have always had a fondness for villains, and to play the lord of night himself would be an honor. I think the mix of calculated charm and sadistic inclination simmering underneath the surface makes for a character that is a blast to play.
What do you hope audiences take away from this show?
I hope that audiences leave knowing that evil thrives and darkness, and when we keep each other in the dark, it will consume us whole. It is only when we huddle close around the firelight of knowledge and companionship that we can vanquish evil and emerge victorious.
What is your favorite play and/or musical, and why?
I’m not sure I have a production in mind as a particular favorite! I think I’m still so new to the world of theatre and want to be open to whatever might become my favorite in the future.
Is there a dream role or type of production you hope to work on in the future?
I am super excited for the future of immersive theatre. I would love to be a part of a noteworthy project of that style where I can really drag an audience into the fray.
What do you like to do in your free time (when you’re not working on theatre projects?)
I enjoy playing RPGs, both computer and tabletop variants, watching movies, and going on nature walks with my fiancée.
Dracula
