Westminster University Theatre Arts presents

FRANKENSTEIN

Inspired by Mary Shelley's landmark novel, this immersive theatrical experience guides the audience through the haunting story of Dr. Frankenstein and his tormented creation.



Ticketing Information


Production Dates: Oct. 13–15 and 27–29 at 7:30 p.m.

Location: Jay W. Lees Courage Theatre at Westminster University

Cost: General Admission, $15

  • Westminster community members receive 1 free ticket to each Westminster Performing Arts production. You can purchase tickets online by checking out with your campus email address, or at the door by showing your Westminster ID.
  • K-12 students receive 1 free ticket to each Westminster Performing Arts production at the door by showing your student ID.
  • We do not offer senior or non-Westminster University student discounts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PERFORMING ARTS SEASON TICKETS    Purchase Frankenstein Tickets

Immersive Theatre


The Westminster University Performing Arts Department of Theatre presents Frankenstein, adapted from the novel by Mary Shelley. Taken from Shelley’s idea that Frankenstein is “a waking dream,” this immersive theatre experience invites our audience to be witnesses to the story from within the play itself. The audience will join Captain Walton and his crew as they explore the arctic, discover 2 mysterious figures on the ice, and learn the fates of Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his creation. In this non-traditional theatre setting, audience members will encounter the story as the events of the play unfold around them. Experience the classic gothic tale as never before!

Immersive Theatre utilizes non-traditional theatre staging to give the audience a unique experience when encountering a play.  In Frankenstein, the audience will become members of Captain Walton’s crew as they explore the northern arctic.  Audience members will be invited to sit, stand, or roam the ship as they please as the action of the play unfolds around them.  

No. Unlike Interactive Theatre where the audience actively participates and influences the action, this Immersive production will give the audience Mary Shelley’s vision of “a waking dream”.   The action will happen all around you, but not to you.  Think of yourself as just a “fly on the wall”, or, in our case, another member of the crew, listening to Victor Frankenstein tell his harrowing story.  

Only with your attention.  Allow yourself to be immersed into the world, but also allow your curiosity to guide you if you wish.  You may move about the set to watch the play from different angles or remain in one place the entire time.  The choice is yours!  

Not in the traditional sense.  Our scenic design will provide plenty of places for you to sit and watch the show and you may also move about and sit (just about) anywhere you like.  If you require special accommodations for seating, please let our box office know so we can help guide you.  

Our production will have on-site staff to help guide you in the event of emergency, major disruption, or if you need to exit the playing area for any reason.   

We believe that parents and guardians are the only ones who can decide what their children are allowed to see.  This production does contain scenes of physical violence and mature themes.  

Dramaturgical Information


Check back soon for dramaturgical information regarding the show.

Meet the Cast and Creative Team


Cast

Darrin Burnett headshotThis is Darrin’s first production with Westminster University. Favorite production credits include A Chorus Line (Paul San Marco), The Drowsy Chaperone (Dancer/Ensemble), Curtains (Christopher Belling), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Dancer/Ensemble), The Seagull (Medvedenko), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear). Darrin is currently a student at Westminster to pursue a BFA in Acting. He is also a graduate of Salt Lake Community College with an Associate Degree in Theatre Arts.

Jack Cobabe HeadshotJack Cobabe is a Senior at Westminster University pursuing his BFA in Theatre Performance. You may have previously seen him in The Thanksgiving Play (Kaden), Stop Kiss (Peter), Ah, Wilderness! (Arthur Miller), and Whistling in the Dark (Performer). His regional credits include Helen (Theoclymenus) with the Classical Greek Theatre Festival, and The Lady with the Dog (Von Diederitz) with the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival.

Percy Cordero HeadshotPercy is currently a junior pursuing a BFA in acting as well as a minor in musical theatre. At Westminster they have been in Stop Kiss (Callie) and Defying Gravity (Elizabeth). In the community he worked with The Hart Theatre Company’s first show The Wild Party (ensemble) and with the Classical Greek Theatre Festival’s last two shows Helen (Chorus) and Medea (Chorus).

Jacob Harrison HeadshotJacob Harrison is a Senior currently pursuing a BFA in Theatre Performance. You may have seen him recently in As You Like It (Silvius) or in The Birthday Party (McCann).

Madison Hill headshotMadison has been in theater since sophomore year of high school, and has participated in every show she could. From smaller roles in the beginning, to being one of the main actors in her last high school show. She also played Aunt March in a One Act Production of Little Women.

Katherin Larson headshotKatherine Larson has had experience in both theatre tech and acting. She took part in school and community theatre, specifically with Rainbow Company Youth Theatre and Neon Spark Youth Theatre. Her last acting role was in Neon Spark's production of How I Became a Pirate (Swill).

Miles Mineshew headshotMiles Minshew (he/him) is a fourth year student pursuing a BFA in Theatre Performance with a minor in Musical Theatre. Past Westminster credits include: Defying Gravity (Monet), As You Like It (Charles/William), Othello (Rodrigo), Next to Normal (Henry) and Girl in the Red Corner (Halo).

Zack Nielson headshotZack is pursuing a B.A Theatre and has been acting for eight years. Their training has consisted of acting courses in school from the sixth grade till now in their sophomore year of college, with workshops from the Utah Shakespeare Festival. You may have seen Zack in Catch Me If You Can (Agent Branton), Hamlet (Laertes), Legacy: A Brighton Cabaret (Featured Dancer), and The Thanksgiving Play (Chorus).

Katelyn Smith headshotKatelynn Smith is currently a Senior Theatre Performance major at Westminster University. Some favorite shows include The Thanksgiving Play (Logan), As You Like It (Jaques), and Mamma Mia! (Donna).

Amelia is a third year Arts Administration major and theatre minor at Westminster and this is her first time performing here. She is also working as a marketing assistant for Westminster's Performing Arts. Some of her favorite shows that she's been in are Young Frankenstein (Elizabeth), Legally Blonde (Margot), City of Angels (Mallory Kingsley), and The Crucible (Mercy Lewis).

Creative Team 

Spencer has been designing shows at the Westminster University for the last 20 years. Spencer started working at Westminster University full time as the Technical Director and Adjunct Professor 9 years ago. Spencer loves working with the students here and seeing their growth. Before coming to Westminster University Spencer worked as the Project Manager for Oasis Stage Werks and before that worked as Lighting Director and Production Manager for the Trisha Brown Dance Company in New York. Spencer also freelance designs in many theatres here in Salt Lake.

Frankenstein is Amanda’s second directing project at Westminster, the first being Girl in the Red Corner in the fall of 2019. Amanda graduated from the Westminster Theatre program with a BFA in Theatre Performance before earning her MFA in Acting from the University of Florida. Westminster will always hold a special place in Amanda’s heart and she is thrilled to be a part of another production at this institution.

Maddie Keil is a second-year BA Production and Design student. She started technical theater in middle school and was involved in set construction and lighting in high school. While at Westminster she has participated in The Birthday Party (light board operator), The Thanksgiving Play (ASM and sound operator), Defying Gravity (ASM and scene shop technician), As You Like It (scene shop technician), Medea (scene shop technician).

Lexey is a senior BA Production & Design student with a focus on directing. Outside Westminster she has previously directed The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. She also worked as Assistant Director on Defying Gravity in the 2021-2022 department season.

Briar Woodie She/They (Costume Designer) is a fourth-year BFA design and production student with an emphasis on costume, hair, and makeup design. Some of their Westminster credits include Dog Sees God (stage manager), Chocolate cake (AnnMarie), As You Like It (hair and makeup designer), Defying Gravity (Assistant Stage Manager Swing and Costume head), The Birthday Party (co-costume hair and makeup design), and Helen, Stop Kiss, Gloria, and Ah, Wilderness!(Wardrobe head).

Gail Wright is a senior at Westminster University pursuing her BFA in Theatre with a Design and Production emphasis. She has previously worked on Girl in the Red Corner (assistant props), Helen (wardrobe), The Birthday Party (wardrobe), The Thanksgiving Play (dramaturg & props), and As You Like It (assistant stage manager & props).