Psychology freshman Dylan Carter stares off-camera during “A Night with Poe” on Feb. 7 at Growl Records. Carter said that he was excited to deliver an entertaining, atmospheric show.
Photo by Lan Anh Le
The small, practically empty venue filled with suspense as an actress breathily recited a poem by Edgar Allan Poe.
With a vibrant purple glow emanating from the stage lights behind them, a cast of six actors practiced Wednesday for their opening night of “A Night with Poe.”
At Growl Records, a small record store and intimate performance venue, producer and artistic director Tami Wadlington worked alongside co-producer and assistant artistic director Julia Lilly during the final rehearsal.
Lilly, who graduated from UTA in December 2024, highlighted how the performers of different ages and experience levels came together to make the production work.
“It’s amazing, really, how they all come from different places, but they all work so well together, and they’re so professional,” she said.
Cast members pose on stage during “A Night with Poe” on Feb. 7 at Growl Records. Props used in the set were crafted by production members and thrifted.
With the production taking about three months to come together, Wadlington provided the artistic vision, from decorations to the overall atmosphere, while the cast brought the vision to life through self-direction.
Tracie Foster was a member of the diverse cast and works as a full-time actress. She said she saw auditions posted on Facebook and sent in her video audition. She then went in, did a live audition and the rest is history.
Foster said working on this production was different than she’s used to since the actors directed themselves but it was fun nonetheless.
“It’s just been a whole team effort, and everybody is working together so well,” she said.
Professional actor Jason Brisco joined the production through another cast member. He said the show’s creativity has the power to bring Poe’s themes to people who might be unfamiliar with Poe’s lesser-known works, and he hoped to bring the audience an atmospheric performance.
Professional actress Rhonda Rose weeps on the floor during “A Night with Poe” on Feb. 7 at Growl Records. Rose said she was excited to provide the audience with an immersive experience.
Psychology freshman Dylan Carter, another cast member, said one of his favorite memories from rehearsal was finally perfecting a monologue he had toward the end of the show.
“Getting to know the words and being able to understand, it brings out so much emotion,” he said. “It makes you want to just say everything with the most raw emotion that you can.”
With the final rehearsal complete and less than 24 hours until showtime, the cast and crew concluded the dress rehearsal prepared to bring the production to audiences over the next two nights.
Friday brought the culmination of all their hard work with their final performance. A gloomy atmosphere pervaded the room as classical music played, fog rolling in from the unknown. The record store turned performance hall featured a grand set with details like Edgar Allan Poe’s books on the fake fireplace and donated antique furniture.
People donned their Gothic best and shared a drink with strangers or friends.
Professional actress Rhonda Rose glares off-camera during “A Night with Poe” on Feb. 7 at Growl Records. Rose said that the show’s characters are nameless, with the actors improvising much of the material.
Arlington resident Leo Vibal, 28, went to support his friend who worked on the show, and said he was excited to see how they interpreted and fleshed out Poe’s works.
Princeton, Texas, resident Emilya Ilyasov, 43, was out on a girls’ night with her best friend and wore a gothic veil to the event. She said she thought the performance was invigorating. She said the way they used different methods, like incorporating singing, was interesting.
She said she’s seen several adaptations of Poe’s work, and the way the performance was done Friday was excellent.
“It wasn’t like a high production in the sense that you don’t need a lot of stage and props and fancy costumes in order to really convey a message, and you can really feel like they put their all into their parts,” she said.
Throughout the production, the six actors displayed a wide range of emotions and put on a powerful performance, donning Victorian-inspired outfits and speaking the words Poe wrote hundreds of years ago.
Between scenes, the narrator came out and said a few facts about Poe’s life and what inspired certain works like “Eleonora” and “Lenore.”
Aspiring singer Maya Jamison reads during “A Night with Poe” on Feb. 7 at Growl Records. Jamison sings a brief song in the second act of the show.
Dallas resident CJ Critt, 71, said the performance was intentional and appealing but could have used visual and physical changes.
“It’s hard because it’s a very densely written material. So in honoring that, there’s a tendency to things kind of drone on and on. So you have to work against that, and that’s where staging and other interesting devices help,” she said.
The group ended the performance with “The Raven.” A cast member dressed as a raven moved around the room, interacting with the audience. Carter’s final monologue was emotional and compelling.
Once the performance was over, guests were able to take photos on the set.
“This show was so fun. It went by so fast,” Carter said. “The people in the show are so talented and so great, and you know, tonight it felt like we were really working together.”
“I’m just really proud to be here. I’m proud of everyone that’s in this show.”
@atclements @taylormakynzee