Choi Yejin Shines in Plexus Polaire’s Haunting Dracula: Lucy’s Dream at the Chicago Puppet Festival

Dracula: Lucy's Dream – Plexus Polaire's Haunting Masterpiece Returns to Chicago

Internationally known for their critically acclaimed work, Plexus Polaire returns to Chicago to thrill audiences once again, this time opening the 7th Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival with the hauntingly beautiful work, Dracula: Lucy's Dream. Building from sold-out performances at the 2023 show of Moby Dick and 2019's Chambre Noire, this summer Plexus Polaire brings another aspect of their signature gothic storytelling and is headed by stunning visual artistry to the Studebaker Theater.

This adaptation of Bram Stoker's legendary Dracula through Lucy's eyes by the visionary director and artistic force behind Plexus Polaire, Yngvild Aspeli, is a new and exciting rendition. This performance explores Lucy's inner battle against her "Dracula-esque" demons, revealing struggles with domination, dependence, addiction, and destructive impulses. Aspeli weaves a rich metaphor of control, both desired and forced, through a captivating spectacle featuring life-sized bunraku puppets, hypnotic video projections, and immersive storytelling that has become Plexus Polaire's trademark.  At the heart of this spellbinding production is Choi Yejin, a Korean actor based in France, whose deeply evocative performance breathes life into Lucy's inner struggles.

After learning physical theatre, Yejin has made it big to stage where she went straight to Jacques Lecoq International Theatre School. The training later was confirmed to be working right with several major works, Peter Brook and her subsequent working associations with prominent Yngvild Aspeli directors. Sylvain Levitte completed the association towards a name recognition within France as a good professional theatre person. France has a well-developed social protection system for artists," shares Yejin. This system allows artists to fully focus on their creative work. The ability to dedicate all your energy toward creation is truly a blessing.  

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An Artist's Perspective

Yejin reflects on how her heritage and creative vision shape her work.

"I think it is impossible to exclude oneself from artistic activities. Thus, it is also impossible for me not to inject my Korean sensibilities into my work. It affects not only the work itself but also the way I approach my creation, understand direction, and connect with characters in the play."

"Although I don't spend much time in Korea, paradoxically, I've been deepening my identity as a Korean. There's no doubt that this has enriched my artistic world."

The Enchantment of Puppetry

For Yejin, *Dracula: Lucy's Dream* is not just a performance but a transformation.

"This show revolutionized my theatrical imagination, making actors and puppets come alive simultaneously," she shares. "Through Yngvild Aspeli's perspective, I was inspired to see a new side of Lucy, giving her a voice and a presence that differ from Bram Stoker's original narrative."

The production also marked Yejin’s debut in puppetry. “I’m grateful to have learned the skill of puppet manipulation by working alongside such talented puppeteers,” she says, emphasizing how the blend of performance and puppetry brings unparalleled depth to the story.  

Yejin’s passion for creative expression extends beyond the stage:

"I think that creative expression is a vital part of everyone's life, not only for artists. This is a great way to bring together different people and inspire deep thinking. It helps us find the meaning of life."

*Dracula: Lucy's Dream* is one of more than 120 performances that will take place during this year's Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, which will run from January 15-26, 2025. The largest festival of its kind in North America, it will bring together puppetry artists from around the world, presenting the full spectrum of contemporary and traditional styles.

For tickets and information, please visit chicagopuppetfest.org.

Experience an unforgettable journey with the haunting gothic storytelling within *Dracula: Lucy's Dream*, when Choi Ye-jin's brilliant performance meets visionary direction by Yngvild Aspeli along with groundbreaking Plexus Polaire artistry. Do not miss this haunting beauty that will touch the hearts of the audience forever.

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