Note from the creator
Carmilla is a novel written by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu first published in 1872. As one of the early work of vampire fiction, it is notable for establishing some of the vampire tropes we know and love (fangs, shapeshifting, aversion to religion and daylight, homoeroticism), while doing so 25 years prior to Bram Stoker's Dracula would launch the vampire subgenre into mass popularity. Carmilla has attained a 'cult classic' status, garnering several adaptations and references on stage, page and screen.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and long-time fan of the gothic and horror genres, it seems only fitting that Carmilla be my first major solo work. Through UCI's Research Opportunity Program, I was able to spend the summer writing and teaching my music to the four brilliant actors in the cast and hire an instrumentalist to elevate this performance. My approach focused on the complex relationship between Laura, the lonely young heiress, and Carmilla, a mysterious stranger who comes to live with Laura and her father in a remote schloss in Styria, a state of Austria. Fittingly, the first song I composed was "We Are Bound," the duet between the two women. Virtually every musical theme stems from this piece, making it the "heart" of the work as a whole.
This piece is a work in progress, so your response to this iteration would be greatly appreciated. Please fill out the survey below to let us know your thoughts.
Special thanks to Myrona DeLaney, Don Hill, Juliette Carrillo, Sharon L. Parks, Jeff Stube, Marcus Beeman
CAST & CREATIVE
IRENE EMAHISER
Carmilla
Irene Emahiser is a 2nd year Drama major. Past acting credits include: UCI: Hamlet (Polonius) APA: Something Rotten (Minstrel), Oklahoma! (Ado Annie), Alice and Wonderland (The White Rabbit). She is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and hopes to be able to push the gender norms in theater.
KAYLA QUIROZ
Madame/Woman/Nomad/Doctor
Introducing Kayla Quiroz, a fourth-year undergraduate earning a B.F.A. in Music Theater with an Honors in Acting, and minoring in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University of California, Irvine. She fell in love with performing when she was six-years-old and has never stopped since. Some of her favorite theatrical experiences include winning Show Choir Nationals four years in a row with her Alma Mater: Los Alamitos High School. Kayla has performed all over the United States - spanning from New York, Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, and others. One of her greatest achievements is singing at Grand Ole Opry. A few of her favorite roles that she has had the opportunity to play are: Gabriella in High School Musical, Natalie in Next to Normal, and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Kayla is so excited to share the magic and mystery of “Carmilla” with you!
JESSICA SPRUIELL
Laura
Jessica Spruiell (she/her) is a senior receiving her B.F.A in Music Theatre and minor in Management. She was most recently seen in UCI’s production of Into the Woods as the Stepmother. Some of her most notable roles have been Roz in Moon Over Buffalo, Belle in Beauty in the Beast, and Terra/Ens. in Bunkerville. Jessica has had the pleasure of being in multiple original productions since being at UC Irvine and is excited to bring the beauty of Carmilla to life! @jessica_spruiell
MIKA UMEMURA
Father
Mika Umemura is a third year earning their BFA in Musical Theatre. Most recently she was Jacks Mom in Into the Woods and she is excited to play the opposite side as Father in Carmilla. She is super thankful to Trevor for sharing his gifts and is excited to bring it to life.
TREVOR P. BOURLAND
Book, Music and Lyrics
Trevor P. Bourland is a multifaceted musician and artist currently based in Newport Beach, California. After acting in youth theatre productions through adolescence, Trevor started pursuing music direction for musical theatre in high school. He graduated from The University of Arizona in 2021 with a Bachelor of Music in Composition, and is starting his second year of study for an MFA in Music Direction for Musical Theatre at University of California, Irvine. Most recently, Trevor has published his first straight play, "The Family Home; A Russian Play," which is available via stageplays.com. Trevor will be scoring a production of An Iliad by Lisa Peteron and Denis O'Hare under the direction of Lucas James Nelson later this fall.