West Sound Academy drama instructor Michael Payne likes to highlight a senior student in the private school’s annual theatrical production, and the upcoming “The Passion of Dracula” features a senior who literally towers over his peers.

“This is Asa’s show this year,” Payne said.

Senior Asa Eisenhardt, 6 feet 7 inches tall, slinks and slithers, swirls and menaces his way around the stage as the blood-thirsty Count Dracula.

“Just look at him — he is Dracula,” Payne said.

The villainous role, however, did not come easily for the articulate, soft-spoken and extremely polite young man.

His role in last year’s “Antigone” was long on dialogue and short on physicality, but this role is just the opposite.

“The role is a departure because Dracula is very physical,” Eisenhardt said. “I finally went with the classic Bella Lugosi, and that was perfect. I’m working on bugging my eyes out and walking sexy to hypnotize the women.”

He’s also been practicing the all important cape swirl, a trademark Dracula/Lugosi move. For the show he will have a black satin cape with red lining, but his rehearsal cape has been a heavy tan material, with a similar “swirling” ability.

For the small amount of dialogue he does have, of the “I vant to suck your blood” variety, Eisenhardt said he has drawn inspiration from a Romanian aunt.

While the senior said he enjoyed acting, it’s not on his post-graduation to-do list. He plans on attending one of the five private colleges that have accepted his application, and perhaps major in creative writing or journalism. He has attended West Sound Academy since sixth grade.

“The Passion of Dracula” also stars Fiore Ala’ilima as Lord Godalming, Sarah Browning as Wilhelmina Murray, Chris Baran-Mickle as Jonathon Harker, Aurora Cauthers-Knox as Dr. Helga Van Zandt, Alex vanGelder as Renfield, Corbin Lester as Jameson, Sam Weinstock as Dr. Cedric Seward and Amelia Stier as Prof. Van Helsing.

Lauren Winkler is the stage manager and Spencer Copelan is the prop master.

Payne said he adapted the male role of Prof. Van Helsing to the female performer, which sets up some interesting relationship dynamics among the characters.

The play has been popular among the cast members.

“Kids do better when the shows are a little edgy. They’re not the delicate little vessels people think they are,” Payne said. “Doing Dracula is like being in a rock band — with blood and explosions.”

While rehearsals have been held in the school drama room, the two evening performances will be performed at The Playhouse on Bainbridge Island.

“I love the intimacy of the space,” Payne said. But it will be a challenge for the cast, with just two days to rehearse in the space before opening night.

The show also features a large number of props and special effects.

“We have some pretty trick special effects,” Payne said.

“The Passion of Dracula” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 16 at The Playhouse, 200 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island. Tickets are $12 adults, $8 seniors and students, available through the school at (360) 598-5954. wu