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When it came time to select the debut show for the University of Texas at San Antonio\u2019s new dramatic arts program, Little Shop of Horrors <\/em><\/em>was just good sense. After all, the school already had a renowned puppeteer on staff with credentials on The Muppet Show<\/em><\/em>.<\/p>\n But Professor of Practice Bradley Freeman Jr. shared more than know-how with the inaugural class. When patrons watch the musical fantasy \u2014 running from April 10-26 at Buena Vista Theater (501 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd.) \u2014 they\u2019ll see the same Audrey II puppets built for the acclaimed 2003 Broadway production.<\/p>\n When it came time to teach the students how to handle the massive carnivorous plant, Freeman arranged for Sesame Street<\/em><\/em> 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?<\/p>\n The wacky tale of nerdy love and carnivorous complications had tons of other benefits for students\u2019 first dip into live stagecraft. Little Shop <\/em><\/em>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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been an adventure with cast, crew, students, faculty, staff, and visiting artists enjoying the thrill and peril of blazing a trail,\u201d says Paul Ardoin, the show\u2019s producer and director of the university\u2019s film and media program, in a release.<\/p>\n Celeste Rodriguez (l-r), Dasia Pierre, Grecia Ortiz and Precious Okalie rehearse.<\/small> Photo courtesy of UT San Antonio<\/small> <\/p>\n The four-year program, San Antonio\u2019s first, also allows students the chance to connect with San Antonio\u2019s thriving creative community. According to Ardoin, members of San Antonio\u2019s live theater scene helped with staging.<\/p>\n \u201cSan 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,\u201d says Ardoin.<\/p>\n It hasn\u2019t been unnoticed by the young scholars.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s theaters all over San Antonio, so it\u2019s a little weird that there wasn\u2019t a dramatic arts program here until now,\u201d student Trevor Odell says in a short documentary<\/a> about the program\u2019s creation and auditions.<\/p>\n UTSA hopes students who pass through the program can go on to help meet the needs of Texas\u2019 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.<\/p>\n But for now, the students have the thrill of putting on a show that\u2019s beloved by millions, using some of the best props available.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s 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,\u201d Freeman says in a statement. \u201cI cannot wait for our community to feel that connection at our upcoming performances.\u201d<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n