Nosferatu forced to close at Renaissance Theatre Company and the theatre needs your help!
- Alastair Mac
- Sep 22
- 5 min read
Orlando's beloved Nosferatu, the annual treat for Vampire lovers and Halloween enthusiasts at Renaissance Theatre Company has had to cancel this past weekend’s performances and is appealing for help from the local community.
Renaissance Theatre Company resurrected Nosferatu, Orlando’s Adult Vampire Experience back on September 5 for the 2025 season, but sadly the production inspired by vampire lore from famous literature such as Bram Stoker's “Dracula” and TV and film such as “Interview With a Vampire” and even “Twilight,” “Buffy,” and “True Blood,” has been forced to temporarily close, with The Ren cancelling all performances this past weekend.
The Ren had its annual inspection by the fire department on Friday afternoon, September 19, and during the inspection, the city found some things they’d like the theatre to change within the temporary set for the immersive vampire show, Nosferatu.
Until the changes are made, the city has placed condemned signs on the building, although Renaissance Theatre Company are assuring everyone that the building itself is okay, and the Ren is okay.
Co-founder and artistic director Donald Rupe has commented that, "We’ll be there bright and early Monday morning ready to work with the city to get things back up and going.
Donald went on to explain that the theatre company take safety serieously and that they have never had any major issues previously, "In all of our inspections thus far, we’ve never received any major negative feedback. We take safety very seriously, and we hope you see our many visible efforts to make sure our people are safe (security guards, metal detectors, exit signs, ample staff, security cameras, pathways that are wider than are required, etc). We don’t think building codes really address the kind of theater that we make; we think the immersive nature of our shows requires a different kind of inspection than traditional theatre shows, and we look forward to working with the city on permitting future productions and making sure everything is approved and safe—as it has been every year since we opened. When you are doing new innovative work like we are, it takes some time to learn how that work fits into traditional infrastructure, and we’re excited to take that journey with the city."
Donald hopes to have Nosferatu back up and running as soon as possible, and is looking forward to working with the city toward re-opening. "When we know more, we’ll share more. For now, we’ve canceled this weekend’s performances and have already communicated with ticket holders."
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Nosferatu is by far the Ren’s biggest money-maker, and also othe companies biggest expense–the've spent about $500k making this show.
About a hundred staff people depend on The Ren for their income, and Donald is worried by this closure, "Make no mistake, a temporary closing like this is a threat to Renaissance Theatre Company. Depending on how this shakes out, I’m not sure what the future holds. I think we can get through this. I hope we can. But we spent a lot of money on this show, and we depend on the income from this show for survival. We’d hate to see another nonprofit organization close. To lose another queer-friendly venue, in a moment where we need them so desperately, would be devastating."
Right now you can help by donating at rentheatre.com/donate. Plus, when the theatre re-opens you can buy a ticket (rentheatre.com).
You can also reach out to Donald at donald@rentheatre.com.
Renaissance Theatre Company is located at 415 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803.
For more information, visit www.rentheatre.com
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