Clara & Carmilla: LGBTQ Vampire Play

WHAT IS CLARA & CARMILLA?

A gothic play that follows the lives of four queer college students, Clara, Levi, Mira, and Jonny, who are their own little found family. When Clara is assigned to write a paper about Dracula for their English class, she instead finds the novel Carmilla. A vampire tale written before Dracula, following the story of Laura, and Carmilla the vampire, and their blossoming love with eachother. When Clara becomes obsessed with the novel, they began to see visages of the vampire herself, and begins to loose herself to the comfort of Carmilla. Their friends try to find a way to help Clara come back to herself, but it is Clara's choice whether she does or not.

WHO IS CLARA & CARMILLA FOR?

It is for those looking for new takes on old myths that have been common in literature for centuries. It is for the LGBTQ community looking to be represented in stories that isn't about coming out, and it is for those who struggle with mental health trying to find comfort.

HOW DID CLARA & CARMILLA CAME TO BE?

I am a recent graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a dual degree in Theatre & English. I wrote this play during my craft of dramatic writing class, and on a whim decided to submit it to the NYwinterfest, which it was accepted for and will be performed in the fall of 2022.

WHY WAS THE GOFUNDME CREATED?

In order to get this play on it's feet however, I need to produce it myself. Meaning, renting out rehearsal space, getting costumes together, and of course paying the cast and crew who will be working on this project with me. So I've started this go fund me, so we can get the money together to put on the best production of this show we can. The team so far is made up of recent graduates, and people who are passionate about new theatre.

WHY IS CLARA & CARMILLA IMPORTANT?

My preferred pronouns are they/them, many people who have helped with this play, the current team, and the actors are all apart of the LGBTQ community. This is a queer story, by queer people. Not only that but with people I've talked to, we have been discouraged by the lack of accurate portrayal of mental health in any kind of entertainment, and I wanted to bring that to the forefront of this play. It is important to have these discussions, and then to actually write, and produce these stories for people to hear. It is very important though for people with mental illness, and people in the LGBTQ community to see themselves on stage so they know they are not alone. That is why this play is so important here and now. It will bring comfort and joy to those who need it.

Please consider donating to help make this play a reality!