Who You Are

• A director who is excited to elevate and refine an existing work, rather than develop it from the ground up

• Someone who communicates with clarity and kindness to support a focused, respectful rehearsal room

• Experienced with or trained in trauma-informed practices, or a demonstrated commitment to creating a rehearsal room that prioritizes psychological and physical safety

• A leader with a demonstrated commitment to inclusive hiring and collaborative practice aligned with My Carmilla’s values.

• Someone who possesses a clear understanding of and respect for the role of female rage in the piece

• Interested in engaging with postcolonial themes in a meaningful way

We are seeking a director whose voice is not only aligned with the themes of the piece, but who is excited to actively shape them. We value collaboration and are eager to work with an artist who will bring their own perspective, instincts, and creative language to the production, helping to deepen and refine the world of My Carmilla.

This is a Fringe Production

A fringe show is defined by its experimental, independent, and uncensored nature. In alignment with The Philadelphia Fringe Festival’s values, we aim to create a production that embodies risk, trust, passion, excellence, and care.

As we are reimagining a classic novella, we aim to use experimental and abstract tools to present this story for Philly Fringe. The piece moves between quiet psychological tension and moments of spectacle incorporating live music, movement, and staged violence and intimacy. Additionally, My Carmilla is centered around forth wall breaking through the lens of an unreliable narrator.

On Actor Doubling

The narrative employs an unreliable narrator, with the actors playing Laura and Carmilla swapping roles each performance. This structure invites returning audiences to experience the story from multiple, often opposing perspectives.

Our goals are to:

• Highlight the duality of these characters, exploring how their mirrored desires are shaped by repression and lived circumstance.

• Challenge the perceived dichotomy of “predator” and “prey,” instead presenting two nuanced, flawed women navigating choice, freedom, and desire.

• Showcase the individuality of the artist, emphasizing how distinct interpretations of a character can differ in presentation while remaining equally compelling. Philadelphia’s artistic community is rich and varied, and we seek to celebrate the power of an artist’s identity as it shines through their work.

More information about My Carmilla can be found on our website. We also urge perspective Directors to familiarize themselves with the source material.

About the Production

My Carmilla will be produced as part of a Philadelphia Fringe Hub (to be announced).

The production will take place in an intimate, black box–style theatre with limited space and approximately 50 seats, allowing for a close, immersive audience experience.

We are guaranteed four performances, each running approximately 80 minutes, with the potential to expand to six performances.

Cast: 5 characters total. The two performers portraying Laura and Carmilla have already been cast.

This is a non-union production. We plan to bring in intimacy and fight directors to help choreograph specific moments.