Alchemist Scream Queens: 13 Answers

Playwright/Theatre Guy Aaron Kopec and the Alchemist Theatre have been doing original Halloween shows for several years. This October Kopec and company return to the stage for another Halloween show. Pepper’s Ghost promises a blend of humor, horror and fog. Actors come and go from an stage, but the Alchemist has a really solid community of actors who really love working the cozy space on South Kinnickinnic. Once again, another Alchemist Halloween show features two talented actresses who have been doing these shows for about ten years now: Sammi Kaufman and Liz Whitford. In honor of Pepper’s Ghost, The Small Stage presents profiles on the two Alchemist Scream Queens.

Name:
Sammi Kaufman
(or Sammich Dittloff, depending on when you ask Aaron)


Height:
4'11"


Number of Alchemist Halloween Shows:
My 7th if you count only Halloween, but my 10th if you include "Year of Fear" shows.

Number of Stage Deaths:
In some of the shows, I was already technically dead (or undead in some cases). I think I've only had 3 stage deaths. I'm much more likely to end up alive at the end of the show than Liz is. She's got to have at least 10 deaths.

Most notable experience dying (or living) onstage:
In the first H.H. Holmes, Nate Press slammed my head against a door until I died, so that's definitely the most dramatic death to date.

Who (or what) do you play in PEPPER'S GHOST?:
I play Jane, the sister to Liz's character. Jane is really into improv and she breaks into little skits and songs all the time. Basically, the type of actor you wouldn't want to be around for too long.

Drink of choice:
When it gets colder, I'm all about Old Fashioneds.

What scares you?:
Let's just say I watched IT with my eyes half-closed.

Any recurring nightmares?:
I used to have one about running away from someone with a really twisted up face.

Favorite moment onstage not spent dying (or dead) in an Alchemist Halloween Show:
The second Dracula started out by being unintentionally hilarious, then we found all the funny parts in it and made it a riot. Although I wasn't on stage for some of the funniest parts, I laughed every day we did that show.

Favorite role in an Alchemist Halloween Show prior to PEPPER:
Being Sarah in Suicide Sleep was the most fun I've ever had in a role. I loved working on the magic tricks, and her story was so good! Plus, who doesn't want to be a Manic Pixie Dream Girl at least once?

Strangest Experience at the Alchemist Theatre:
A lot of people say the Alchemist is haunted, and I've seen a couple weird things that make me believe it, too. One time, I saw popcorn fly across the room and land between me and Erica Case. There was nobody else in the lounge at the time.

Why do you think people should see the show:
Pepper's Ghost is everything you want an Alchemist show to be: Funny, scary, poignant...fog-filled. You have to come to force Aaron to do more Halloween shows, because he obviously caves to peer pressure.

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Name:
Liz Whitford

Height:
4'11" (yes, really)

Number of Alchemist Halloween Shows:
12 (Including Pepper’s Ghost)



Number of Stage Deaths:
14 (I survived a 2 plays, but was killed multiple times in others haha!)

Most notable experience dying (or living) onstage:
First Dracula when bit to death… flash paper is supposed to ignite along the coffin I die on top of but closing night it was like a fireball in my face. Apparently Aaron had some extra flash paper to use up LOL! I still have my eyebrows.

Who (or what) do you play in PEPPER'S GHOST?:
I play Alexandreina Wayierd. She is a know-it-all season subscriber, fan, and financial supporter of the theater.

Drink of choice:
Wine - Sauvignon Blanc (but I am pregnant at the moment so unfortunately it is currently sparkling water, lame)

What scares you?:
All horror films! I only like horror shows when I am in them because I know it’s not “real!”

Any recurring nightmares?:
No, but had a living nightmare while in Dracula. A bat got into my apartment and I woke up in the middle of the night and saw him hanging on my bedroom ceiling staring at me. Oddly similar to Bram Stoker's Dracula visiting Lucy as a bat (yes, I was playing Lucy at the time).

Favorite moment onstage not spent dying (0r dead) in an Alchemist Halloween Show:
I had a very tender/creepy moment as Claire in the first H.H. Holmes when I tell my baby that we are going to hide away in the countryside “like little field mice” so we aren’t murdered by my husband. Ahh, so sweet...maybe I can recreate this scene with my baby.

Favorite role in an Alchemist Halloween Show prior to PEPPER:
Margaruite in Faust, she had so many different dimensions and I loved the experience of having the audience roam among the actors and scenes.

Strangest Experience at the Alchemist Theatre:
I was talking to Erica [Case] behind the bar and a small knife flew off the counter into the sink…no one was near the knife at all. Haunted…perhaps.

Why do you think people should see the show:
It is funny, fun, suspenseful, scary and an overall good time! Plus, I may or may not die…clearly have the practice ;)

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​​The Alchemist Theatre’s horror show Pepper’s Ghost runs Oct, 6 - 28 at the Alchemist’s space on 2569 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. For ticket reservations, visit Alchemist Online.