Artistic Talent Homecoming at Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Guest Director Mark Costello and Scenic Designer Frank Foster Make the upcoming production of Count Dracula Stand Out due to decades of theatre experience. End Quote

Richmond-Petersburg, VA (1888PressRelease) September 05, 2018 - Swift Creek Mill Theatre’s upcoming production "Count Dracula" has not one, but two, talented guests helping to produce a show that is sure to be a hit with audience members. Multiple-award-winning Director Mark Costello got his start on the Mill stage decades ago and went on to do great things in theatre. Now he returns to direct the living and the undead in Ted Tiller’s Count Dracula. Scenic Designer Frank Foster, known for his work locally and regionally, was invited by Producing Artistic Director Tom Width to be part of the team to create the canvas on which the famed vampire will make his mark. Together with Lighting Design by Joe Doran, Costume Design by Maura Lynch Cravey, Special Effects by Tom Width, and Technical Direction by Jason “Blue” Herbert, this production team, along with nine gifted actors and countless hardworking crew and volunteers, hope to bring a little bit of Transylvania to the Richmond area theatre scene, just in time to usher in the fall.

MARK COSTELLO is excited to be returning to the Mill to direct “Count Dracula.” He began his career at the Swift Creek Mill Playhouse (now Theatre) in 1965, where he participated in all areas of production. From acting in numerous productions (“Sly Fox,” “You Can’t Take It With You,” “The Music Man,” “Carousel,” “1776”) to directing (“Greater Tuna,” “I Do! I Do!,” “Butterflies Are Free,” “The Robber Bridegroom,” “Sweet Charity,” “Arsenic and Old Lace, ” “Guys and Dolls”). He recently retired after 32 years as the Artistic Director of Theatre Albany in Albany, GA. He has directed over 150 plays and musicals. In 2009, he was inducted into the Georgia Theatre Conference Hall of Fame. Mark received a nomination as Outstanding Director for “ The Lady of Larkspur Lotion” at the American Association of Community Theatre’s AACTFest in June 2015. He was named Best Director at the 66th Annual Southeastern Theatre Conference Community Festival and Best Director at the Georgia Theatre Conference Festival in October 2014. He was also named Best Director for “The All Night Strut” at the 2011 Georgia Theatre Conference Festival. He has served on panels for the Georgia Council for the Arts; was Vice-President of Programming for two Georgia Theatre Conference Conventions, and served as Chairman of the Georgia Theatre Conference Community Theatre Division.

FRANK FOSTER is delighted to be part of Swift Creek Mill’s production of "Count Dracula." He holds an MFA in Scenic Design from VCU. Frank has designed scenery for several original productions, including Barter Theatre’s "Huck Finn," Cumberland County Playhouse’s "Funny, You Don’t Look Like A Grandmother," and Playhouse on the Square’s production of "A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline." Other Regional credits include Riverside Center’s "OKLAHOMA!," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," and "On Golden Pond"; Cumberland County Playhouse’s "Singing in the Rain"; Playhouse on the Square’s "Tommy," "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," "Forever Plaid," and "The Hollow." His local credits include Richmond Triangle Players’ "Sondheim on Sondheim," "A Chorus Line," "The Normal Heart," "The Boy from Oz," "La Cage aux Folles," "Angels In America," "Psycho Beach Party," and "Cabaret;" CAT’s "Wishing Well"; HATT’s "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" and "John & Jen"; SPARC’s "Hairspray," "Avenue Q," "Oliver," and "AIDA"; Theatre IV’s "The Music Man"; Barksdale’s "Blues In The Night"; The Production Company’s "August Snow"; and numerous musicals at Richmond’s Dogwood Dell including "Barnum," "Drood," "Big River," "Follies," "Little Shop Of Horrors," "Hairspray," "Footloose," and his award-winning "Once Upon A Mattress." Other favorite credits include "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Godspell," "Joseph…," and "Annie."

Audiences will enjoy an eerily fun time at Count Dracula from September 15 – October 20 at Swift Creek Mill Theatre. Tickets are available at swiftcreekmill.com or by calling 804-748-5203.

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