Talawanda students ready to turn the stage into a 'Little Shop of Horrors'
In just a couple weeks, Talawanda students will share their performance of "Little Shop of Horrors" with the community.
A massive puppet of a man eating plant sat on the stage of Talawanda’s auditorium, prepped and ready to wreak havoc at the Talawanda drama Club’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
At rehearsals students dance, sing and act their way through the musical, which has a moving set. They’ve been practicing hard ahead of their performances, which begin March 14.
“Little Shop of Horrors” is a cult classic musical that is currently going through a revival. The show features a bloodthirsty carnivorous plant that threatens to consume everything that comes near it.
The Talawanda Drama Club offers opportunities for lots of students, not just actors and singers. Students can help build sets, work with costumes and even puppeteer the giant plant.
Shr-Lin Moore, a junior at Talawanda, is taking on an important role this year as assistant director for the show. This is her first time directing, different from the acting she normally does.
“It's been a lot of trying to get money for the show,” Moore said. “Contacting people, trying to get us to be able to perform at different places for advertising.”
Talawanda students have been rehearsing for weeks to prepare for their performance of "Little Shop of Horrors." Photos by Gina Roth
Directing takes up a lot of time for Moore, but she’s not the only student dedicating herself to the production.
Ysabella Anders is a senior who plays Audrey, the main female character in the show. She spends around a dozen hours a week at rehearsals. She says this role has been more demanding than other productions she’s been a part of.
“Musicals are definitely a little more rigorous,” Anders said, “because you have to learn choreography, and you have to learn music and the timing with the music along with lines, and then costume changes and everything.”
Anders takes her role seriously, not just in the show but as a senior role model for other students, some of whom have never taken part in a production before.
“Everyone here has always been very welcoming, and I think everyone here treats it kind of like a family,” Anders said.
The musical is directed by Melanie Motimer, who has been in charge of the Talawanda Drama Club for four years. She is originally a costume designer by trade, but has enjoyed her time leading the club.
“I love working with the kids and letting them have an opportunity to develop all the skills that you get with theater,” Mortimer said. “Time management, memorization, again, looking at the literature, analyzing character and public speaking.”
Performances will be held at 7 p.m. March 14, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 15, and 2 p.m. March 16. Tickets are $10 per person and $8 for students and seniors.
