Illia Borstov-Shrago stars as Dracula in OrSVP’s September production of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” starting Sep. 4.
The Orinda Starlight Village Players (OrSVP) close out their 2026 run at the Orinda Community Center Amphitheater with “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” adapted and directed by Malcolm Cowler.
This production, which opens Sept. 4, brings Cowler’s adaptation back to the Orinda stage. The show’s design includes video projections, audio recordings and live performance, all aimed at creating an atmosphere that recalls a black-and-white movie.
Matt Cardigan-Smith designed and created the costumes.
The cast includes both newcomers and familiar faces, including Sophie Amador, Isaac Ariaga, Amanda Beaton, Marc Berman, Monica Bonnington, Ilia Bortsov-Shrago, Maya Cornwall, Clara Decker, Rebecca Grinsstaig, Abe Karplus, Milo Michaels, Siobhan O’Brien, Kenny Silberberg, Jennifer Su and Tom Westlake.
One of the newcomers, Bortsov-Shrago, takes the starring role as Dracula.
“The idea of acting has been low-key bothering me for a while, and back in the prehistory days of my youth, my teachers did suggest it as a good career path,” said Bortsov-Shrago. “I decided, more or less spontaneously, to try to go to a theatrical audition. To my great surprise, I got Dracula, and I’m looking forward to it immensely.”
Bortsov-Shrago has a keen love for the source material.
“I have loved the book since I was a teenager, as well as the various films and shows associated with it. Dracula is one of the most frequently recreated literary characters, so the story clearly continues to have its appeal,” said Bortsov-Shrago. “It certainly continues to be one of my favorite novels, which I re-read every few years to this day, and enjoy just as much as the first time.”
There are many new challenges Bortsov-Shrago faces.
“The main one is the most obvious. I have zero previous theatrical experience, so while our amphitheater is not the biggest pool out there, I am still jumping in the deep end,” said Bortsov-Shrago. “Given that the company is only a year younger than myself, and that Malcolm and Matt have been doing this for a long time, I feel safe leaving myself in their hands. I’m not saying I’m not nervous, but I trust that they know what they are doing even if I don’t.”
Bortsov-Shrago works in education and has a degree in history, specializing in Imperial-era Russia.
“In the free time I have between teaching the young and exsanguinating the innocent, I enjoy classical art, opera, walking by the ocean, good whiskey and reading non-stop wherever I happen to find myself. I haven’t left the house without at least three to five books on me since I was 14 – I’d feel undressed,” said Bortsov-Shrago.
“Bram Stoker’s Dracula” runs Friday and Saturday nights through Sep. 26 at 8:30 p.m. with two Thursday night performances Sep. 8 and 24 at 8 p.m. All performances are at the Orinda Community Center Park Amphitheater.
For more information, visit orsvp.org or email info@orsvp.org.
