25-26 Seaon
Who is Dracula and What is it Like to Portray the Iconic Character?
The seductive Count Dracula makes his chilling return to the Benedum stage this Halloween weekend! Based on Bram Stoker’s classic horror story, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) is performing Michael Pink’s Dracula from October 31 – November 2, 2025. With Halloween quickly approaching, we spoke to PBT Principal Artist Lucius Kirst, who will portray Dracula on Saturday, November 1st at 2:00 p.m. Sharing exclusive insights into the thrilling production, he gives us a peek into the preparations for the spellbinding ballet.
What’s it like portraying Dracula?
It’s always fun to be the title character in any ballet, and he’s such an iconic character. The costumes are awesome for him as well which always makes roles feel cooler. I remember when we did the photo shoot and I first put on the red jacket, I was already excited to play him before having seen any of the choreography. Dracula is my first major role that would be deemed a villain, and he’s the ultimate villain to portray. He gets to kill and die onstage, there’s blood, fights and vampires— it’s a dream role.
How would you describe the character of Dracula?
He has the ultimate power (he thinks, at least), which is an unlimited amount of time. Obviously, he has other powers like his supernatural strength, his ability to turn people into vampires etc., but the unlimited amount of time is the most informative to dancing the role. He never has to hurry anywhere, since he has all the time in the world; everything is calm and smooth, and the choreography reflects that brilliantly. There’s an eerie, quiet power in his stillness. He’s a complex character, because the curse of unlimited time is that he inevitably loses everything he loves. He seems unable to learn from his pains of the past, and repeats the process by falling in love again with Mina.
What is it like to do more of a dramatic ballet?
There’s a lot of drama in many of the classic ballets, but this adaptation of Dracula centers around the drama of the story. There’s not just dancing for the sake of dancing, everything furthers the storytelling. It’s a more complex story to tell than a lot of the classical ballets, so there’s a heavier focus on the acting. Many of the scenes with less dancing and more acting and pantomime are actually much harder to learn, remember and rehearse than the dancing for me.
What is your favorite scene?
It’s a scene towards the end of the ballet in Act Three, when Dracula brings his bride-to-be, Mina, onstage with all the Undead. It’s the penultimate scene. Dracula thinks he’s gotten everything he wanted, and he simply walks around the stage with Mina. It sounds simple, but the music is a beautiful piece of choral music, the costume is amazing and there’s an intense energy onstage. It’s when I feel that Dracula is at his most powerful. You also know that all your hardest dancing is done, so you get to just enjoy the moment and soak it all in without any nerves or looming pressures.
What personality characteristics of Dracula are the most fun to portray? The least fun?
Honestly, they’re all pretty fun. He’s a great character to play, and the choreography facilitates that. There are a lot of aspects to his character that aren’t common in other ballets. Obviously, you can always bring something new to any role, but it’s such well-thought-out and thorough choreography that, almost just by doing the steps as they’re taught, you’re portraying a fully formed character.
Do you consider Dracula to be romantic or seductive?
I suppose he must be a little bit romantic. Some part of him is still human enough to remember what love is, since he falls in his version of love with Mina. I think he looks at most people primarily as a food source, however every once in a while, he comes across someone special. Perhaps they remind him of his first love. He has a certain power of seduction, it’s hard to say how much of that is magic and how much isn’t. In the real world, he has no magic, but his story has enraptured people for more than a century.
Dracula 2025 Casting Announced
The casting for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s (PBT) Dracula has been announced! This Halloween weekend, from October 31 – November 2, 2025, PBT is performing Michael Pink’s Dracula at the Benedum Center. With its haunting special effects and dramatic choreography, Dracula is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween.
If you’re interested in seeing these artists on stage, buy your tickets now.
VIEW CASTING BELOW
PBT Artists as Dracula Characters
With rehearsals for Michael Pink’s captivating Dracula based on Bram Stoker’s classic horror underway, we asked our artists what characters from the ballet most resembled their personalities. We gave them a few options:
Dracula: Dark, Charming, Powerful, Vengeful
Mina: Pure, Resourceful, Sweet, Noble
Lucy: Vivacious, Innocent, Easily-Manipulated, Playful
Renfield: Impulsive, Indecisive, Formidable, Obsessive
Jonathan Harker: Naive, Curious, Strong-willed, Conscientious
Dr. Van Helsing: Knowledgeable, Open-Minded, a Leader, Courageous
Arthur: Virtuous, Secure, Heroic, Driven
Quincey: Brave, Good-hearted, Youthful, Brash
Curious to see what these personalities look like on the stage? Join the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre at the Benedum Center from October 31st to November 2nd for a production filled with dramatic choreography, exquisite storytelling, opulent costumes, theatrical sets, a gripping score by Philip Feeney and haunting special effects that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
COLIN MCCASLIN (principal): DRACULA
GRACE ROOKSTOOL (principal): RENFIELD
DAVID O’MATZ (soloist): LUCY
JOANNA SCHMIDT (soloist): RENFIELD
DIANA YOHE (soloist): MINA
JONATHAN BREIGHT (corps de ballet): QUINCEY
ERIN CASALE (corps de ballet): RENFIELD
ARIANA CHERNYSHEV (corps de ballet): JONATHAN HARKER
ETHAN CLARISEY (corps de ballet): MINA
CHRISTIAN GARCÍA CAMPOS (corps de ballet): DRACULA
MADELINE GRADLE (corps de ballet): ARTHUR
MATTHEW GRIFFIN (corps de ballet): DR. VAN HELSING
JACK HAWN (corps de ballet): JONATHAN HARKER
ABIGAIL HUANG (corps de ballet): DR.VAN HELSING
CAITLYN MENDICINO (corps de ballet): ARTHUR
MADISON RUSSO (corps de ballet): ARTHUR
KURTIS SPROWLS (corps de ballet): QUINCEY
ANYA CHIU (apprentice): RENFIELD
AMELIA MCGRAVEY (apprentice): JONATHAN HARKER
ISAK SORENSON (apprentice): JONATHAN HARKER
PBT Artists’ Summer Vacations!
Each year during June and July, PBT Company artists have a well-deserved summer break before the new season begins. Some of the PBT artists shared the different ways they spent their breaks outside of the PBT studios during the summer of 2025!
Join us for our upcoming 2025-26 Season beginning in October. The schedule includes:
Dracula, October 31-November 2, 2025, Benedum Center
The Nutcracker, December 5-28, 2025, Benedum Center
America 250 with the PBT Orchestra, February 20-22, 2026, Benedum Center
Spring Mix, April 10-12, 2026, August Wilson African American Cultural Center
A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the PBT Orchestra, May 15-17, 2026, Benedum Center
Christian García Campos
PBT Corps de Ballet
With JoAnna Schmidt (PBT Soloist)
“My favorite highlight of this summer was traveling and exploring Croatia with one of my best friends and coworkers, JoAnna Schmidt, what an incredible trip from the views, to the food, to the company!”
Jack Hawn
Corps de Ballet
With JoAnna Schmidt (PBT Soloist)
“I participated in the Pittsburgh Dance Workshop, which had its inaugural performance this summer. Joanna Schmidt (PBT Soloist) choreographed the work that she and I performed in the show.”
Photos by Gretchen Hurd
David O’Matz
PBT Soloist
“My favorite activity of this summer was traveling to the Bay Area and dancing at Julia Adam Dance with my colleagues. There, we performed a contemporary version of George Orwell’s Animal Farm choreographed by Julia and Oliver Halkowitch.”
Grace Rookstool
PBT Principal
With Ariana Chernyshev (PBT Corps de Ballet)
“Ariana and I traveled through France for the first time together! This trip was so special in so many ways, we’re already planning next summer’s adventure.”
JoAnna Schmidt
PBT Soloist
“The first week after the season ended, I was honored to have 9 PBT company dancers perform with me in my choreography for William Moore’s Cre8 Dance Competition! It was a fun and fulfilling experience!”
Kurtis Sprowls
PBT Corps de Ballet
“I participated in JoAnna Schmidt’s work for the Cre8dance show in Pittsburgh in June, then traveled to California to dance with Julia Adam Dance, along with my colleagues Hannah Carter, Lucius Kirst and David O’Matz.”
Diana Yohe
PBT Soloist
“My husband Joe and I spent the summer ‘nesting’ and preparing our home for the arrival of our little one. It truly has already taken a village of our family and friends and has made us realize how very blessed we are with the people who surround us!”
Ballet Under the Stars 2025 Casting Announced
The casting for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s annual Ballet Under the Stars performance at Hartwood Acres has been announced! PBT will be performing at Hartwood Acres on Sunday, August 24 at 7:30 p.m. as part of Allegheny County’s 2025 Summer Concert Series. The outdoor performance is free to attend and open to the community. Register for free before attending for a chance to win a 5-ballet subscription to the 2025-2026 season.
Attendees are invited to arrive early to enjoy picnics, food trucks and free kids’ stations, including grab-and-go crafts, face painting, balloon art and a dance class led by PBT team members.
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., PBT will host a pre-show Picnic in the Park. Join fellow ballet enthusiasts and PBT’s artistic director, Adam W. McKinney under the tent for drinks, dinner and the opportunity to meet PBT artists. Tickets are $100 for adults and $25 for children. Register online or call Associate Director of Development Aziza El Feil at 412-454-9127 for more information.
As the sun sets, PBT will present a mixed repertory performance featuring classical and contemporary works.
Emeralds Pas de Deux
Choreography by George Balanchine | © The George Balanchine Trust
Artists: Grace Rookstool and Lucius Kirst
The Mighty Casey Excerpt
Choreography by Lisa de Ribere
Pitcher: Josiah Kauffman
Casey: Jack Hawn
Artists: Emry Amoky, Jonathan Breight, Ethan Clarisey, André Gallon, Matthew Griffin, Isak Sorenson, Kurtis Sprowls and Michael Stadherr
Stars and Stripes Pas de Deux
Choreography by George Balanchine | © The George Balanchine Trust
Artists: Tommie Lin Kesten and Colin McCaslin
Three Preludes Excerpt
Choreography by Ben Stevenson
Artists: Hannah Carter and Lucius Kirst
Angels in the Architecture Excerpt
Choreography by Mark Godden
Artists: Emry Amoky, Magnoly Batista, Ariana Chernyshev, André Gallon, Madeline Gradle, Jack Hawn, Abigail Huang, Josiah Kauffman, David O’Matz, Madison Russo, JoAnna Schmidt and Kurtis Sprowls
Emeralds Pas de Deux
Choreography by George Balanchine | © The George Balanchine Trust
Artists: Hannah Carter and Colin McCaslin
Emeralds Pas de Trois
Choreography by George Balanchine | © The George Balanchine Trust
Artists: Tommie Lin Kesten, Josiah Kauffman and JoAnna Schmidt
Dracula Vignette
Choreography by Matthew Griffin (PBT Artist)
Dracula: Isak Sorenson
Brides: Anya Chiu, Amelia McGravey, Grace Rookstool
Finale
Choreography by Madison Russo (PBT Artist)
Artists: Emry Amoky, Magnoly Batista, Jonathan Breight, Erin Casale, Ethan Clarisey, André Gallon, Christian García Campos, Madeline Gradle, Jack Hawn, Abigail Huang, Kurtis Sprowls, and Michael Stadherr
Photos: Aviana Adams, Michael Henninger & Justin Merriman
PBT’s 2025-2026 Season New Hires
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is thrilled to announce five new artists who will join PBT for the 2025-26 season! We had an opportunity to ask them more about themselves and introduce them to Pittsburgh.
Aoi Asano will join PBT as an Apprentice from PBT School’s Graduate Program.
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
What is one of your favorite things about Pittsburgh? Kennywood
What ballet are you most excited about during PBT’s 2025-26 season? Dracula
What is your favorite ballet? The Sleeping Beauty
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not dancing? I enjoy crocheting.
What’s your guilty pleasure? My guilty pleasure is eating a ton of Korean food all night when I’m exhausted.
What is the first thing you did after you found out you were promoted to being a PBT Apprentice? I first called my parents and my roommate.
Henrique Barbosa joins Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 2025 as a Corps de Ballet Artist.
Hometown: Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
What city are you moving from? Houston, TX (Houston Ballet)
What are you most excited about doing in Pittsburgh? Exploring everything new. Coming from a different country, I’ve learned over the years the importance of curiosity and the amazing things that go with it. I seek learning what’s different every day. New landscapes and new foods are usually my go-to, and I know the restaurants in the Strip District and the gorgeous view of the Steel City are going to be my new favorite things.
What ballet are you most excited about during PBT’s 2025-26 season? Company B
What is your favorite ballet? Frederick Ashton’s La Fille Mal Gardée
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not dancing? I have many hobbies. Scuba diving is the most recent one, but I will say that, in general, I love to be out in nature.
What’s your guilty pleasure? I like to put my favorite singer on YouTube while I clean the house, so I can dance and sing along.
Ethan Clarisey joins Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre as a Corps de Ballet Artist.
Hometown: Clarence Center, NY
What city are you moving from? Boston, MA (Boston Ballet II)
What are you most excited about doing in Pittsburgh? Trying new restaurants
What ballet are you most excited about during PBT’s 2025-26 season?
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
What is your favorite ballet? Romeo and Juliet
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not dancing? Thrifting
What’s your guilty pleasure? Doughnuts
Michael Stadtherr joins Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre as an Apprentice for the 2025-26 season.
Hometown: Novi, MI
What city are you moving from? Tulsa, OK (Tulsa Ballet II)
What are you most excited about doing in Pittsburgh? Getting to know the city and culture
What ballet are you most excited about during PBT’s 2025-26 season? A Midsummer Night’s Dream
What is your favorite ballet? The Lady of the Camellias
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not dancing? Doing college classes and generally learning new things
What’s your guilty pleasure? Watching movies late at night
Isak Sorenson joins as an Apprentice Artist from PBT School’s Graduate Program.
Hometown: Duluth, Minnesota
What is one of your favorite things about Pittsburgh? I love how walkable the city is and all of the amazing views.
What ballet are you most excited about during PBT’s 2025-26 season? Dracula
What is your favorite ballet? George Balanchine’s Serenade
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not dancing? Hanging out with my friends and reading
What’s your guilty pleasure? Trash reality TV
What is the first thing you did after you found out you were promoted to being a PBT Apprentice? I found out that I was promoted backstage before a show of The Nutcracker. So, the first thing I did was quickly call my parents and then got into costume!