Dirty puppets, outdoor fire-breathers, aerial artists, and somewhat scary make-up combine to create Phantasmagoria.

"We're going to follow this theme of the difference between light and dark because in every human being, there's lightness and darkness," said John DiDonna, creator of the show. "You have to have that in balance. When it's not in balance, things get dangerous."

Titled "The Cards They Are Dealt," the colorful troupe tells seven horror stories through different arts, from sword battles to aerial silk.

"That is how we weave the stories together, to use all of these elements to create a tapestry of stories," he said.

There's also a little bit of fire. OK, lots of fire. Fire-eaters, fire-breathers, and fire dancers will entertain VIP ticket holders during the outdoor post-show.

We also got to meet Rebekah Lane, Phantasmagoria's director of puppetry.

"One of the series of stories we're doing this year is Shock-headed Peter," she said, gripping onto a frazzled-looking puppet boy. "It's a series of German fairy tales... "morality tales" to teach children what will happen if they don't obey the rules.... [Peter is] very dirty and his hair is unkempt and he's exactly the kind of child that we warn other children about."

As far as casting, DiDonna says the process takes a long time.

"We have a 4-hour audition process for the initial audition," he said. "They come in and we do movement with them first, then we do dance with them, then we do stage combat with them, then we do stories... We're looking for not just their talent, but their camaraderie with each other."

Phantasmagoria VII:

When: Oct 13 – 31, 2016; Oct 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 @ 8:00pm (Box opens at 7:15pm/Doors at 7:45pm)

Where: The Mandell Theatre, John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Loch Haven Park, Orlando

Ticket Prices:

  • Student/Senior/Military Admission – $15.00; General admission – $25.00
  • Student/Senior/Military VIP Admission – $25.00; General VIP Admission – $35.00
  • (VIP Admission includes Pick of Seating, VIP post show performance, and more)

More Ticket Info: Will call/Cash only at door; reserve by calling hotline at 407-476-5121; credit card pre-purchase: www.orlandoatplay.com