My Carmilla is a queer folk horror theatre piece inspired by J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s 1872 novella, Carmilla, reimagined through a feminist and postcolonial lens. The work explores the shifting power dynamics between Carmilla and Laura, centering questions of desire, violence, and survival.

The actors who play Laura and Carmilla swap roles for each performance, allowing repeat audiences to experience the story from multiple, opposing perspectives. It is up to you to decide: Who is the real predator, and who is the prey?

Asha and Sabrina met at Broken Mirror Studio in Philadelphia, where they were paired for a scene study and quickly discovered a strong artistic connection. Through their work together, they began questioning the shifting dynamics of protagonist and antagonist within their scenes. These explorations ultimately inspired the concept of developing the roles of Laura and Carmilla as mirrors of one another.

Diversity and inclusion are prioritized in casting to authentically reflect the multicultural reality of the world, break down harmful stereotypes, and provide equitable opportunities for performers. Our production of My Carmilla will aim to reflect the diverse population of Philadelphia.

Queer themes and vampire narratives have long been intertwined, as vampire fiction has historically served as a powerful vehicle for exploring so-called “taboo” sexuality. Throughout the history of vampire media, the vampire often disrupts social norms surrounding gender roles and desire.  We are committed to ensuring LGBTQ+ representation within the artistic team. 

The need for diverse actors and multicultural voices cannot be overstated. On a broader scale, stories that genuinely reflect a wide range of cultures and backgrounds have the power to promote social progress and challenge harmful stigmas.

We are currently developing the piece through a series of staged readings hosted by Sawubona Creativity Project during Philly Theatre Week, with the goal of premiering a fully staged production at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival in September 2026. This production will feature choreographed stage combat, movement sequences inspired by global dance disciplines, production design, and original music.

Your contribution supports the essential costs of development and production, including rehearsal space, artist compensation, design and production materials, insurance, and marketing. We are committed to inclusive casting and supporting local Philadelphia artists, which means compensating our performers and artistic staff. Donations of any size support our ability to develop this new work, compensate artists and technicians, and fund the next stage of our production development.

Thank you for your support. We could not do this without you.

“But dreams come through stone walls, light up dark rooms, or darken light ones, and their persons make their exits and their entrances as they please, and laugh at locksmiths.”
― Sheridan Le Fanu, Carmilla

Want to learn more? Visit mycarmillatheplay.com