When it came time to select the debut show for the University of Texas at San Antonio’s new dramatic arts program, Little Shop of Horrors was just good sense. After all, the school already had a renowned puppeteer on staff with credentials on The Muppet Show.

But Professor of Practice Bradley Freeman Jr. shared more than know-how with the inaugural class. When patrons watch the musical fantasy — running from April 10-26 at Buena Vista Theater (501 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd.) — they’ll see the same Audrey II puppets built for the acclaimed 2003 Broadway production.

When it came time to teach the students how to handle the massive carnivorous plant, Freeman arranged for Sesame Street legend Marty Robinson (Mr. Snuffleupagus) to stop by the campus. Who better than the puppeteer who first brought Audrey II to life during the original 1982 off-Broadway production?

The wacky tale of nerdy love and carnivorous complications had tons of other benefits for students’ first dip into live stagecraft. Little Shop combines technical wizardry with rousing performances and its familiarity means that every detail has to be right. That allowed students enrolled in the new UTSA dramatic arts program to apply everything they learned in a program that blends training in performance with courses in production for stage, screen, and emerging media.

“It’s been an adventure with cast, crew, students, faculty, staff, and visiting artists enjoying the thrill and peril of blazing a trail,” says Paul Ardoin, the show’s producer and director of the university’s film and media program, in a release.

Celeste Rodriguez (l-r), Dasia Pierre, Grecia Ortiz and Precious Okalie rehearse. Photo courtesy of UT San Antonio

The four-year program, San Antonio’s first, also allows students the chance to connect with San Antonio’s thriving creative community. According to Ardoin, members of San Antonio’s live theater scene helped with staging.

“San Antonio has immense theatrical talent, and we were fortunate to put together a team of similarly talented visiting artists to contribute to the show and mentor the students,” says Ardoin.

It hasn’t been unnoticed by the young scholars.

“There’s theaters all over San Antonio, so it’s a little weird that there wasn’t a dramatic arts program here until now,” student Trevor Odell says in a short documentary about the program’s creation and auditions.

UTSA hopes students who pass through the program can go on to help meet the needs of Texas’ growing film industry. In addition to hands-on training, students can take advantage of curated internships at theaters and museums, and specialized instruction in stage and screen technologies.

But for now, the students have the thrill of putting on a show that’s beloved by millions, using some of the best props available.

“It’s in our nature to personify and anthropomorphize the things around us, so bringing such beautifully designed puppets into a space for students, children and families to interact with and learn from is invaluable,” Freeman says in a statement. “I cannot wait for our community to feel that connection at our upcoming performances.”

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