UTSA's New Stage: "Little Shop" Debuts with Broadway Bite

SAN ANTONIO, TX – April 06, 2026 – A mean green mother from outer space is setting down roots in San Antonio, signaling a landmark moment for the city’s arts and education landscape. The University of Texas at San Antonio's brand-new Dramatic Arts program is making its grand entrance this month with an ambitious inaugural production: the cult-classic musical Little Shop of Horrors. Staged at the university’s state-of-the-art Buena Vista Theater, the show is more than just a debut; it's a bold statement of intent, complete with a live orchestra and a cast of man-eating puppets direct from Broadway.

Running from April 10 to 26, the production brings the darkly comedic tale of nerdy florist Seymour and his bloodthirsty plant, Audrey II, to life. But this is no ordinary community theater production. UTSA has secured the very Audrey II puppets built and used for the acclaimed 2003 Broadway revival and its subsequent national tours, promising an authentic and spectacular theatrical experience.

A Broadway Pedigree in the Alamo City

The decision to feature the iconic puppets, rented from the renowned Monkey Boys Productions, places the audience in the heart of a professional-grade spectacle. These are the same massive, menacing puppets that captivated New York audiences, designed in the tradition of Martin P. Robinson's original groundbreaking work. Their journey to San Antonio was a pilgrimage in itself; members of the production team embarked on a cross-country road trip from Pennsylvania, visiting over 15 of America's legendary theater hubs like New York and Nashville to retrieve the three-puppet set, paying homage to the craft they aim to master.

This commitment to authenticity is central to the show's vision. Combined with a live orchestra performing Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's beloved 1960s-pastiche score, the production aims for an immersive experience. The intimate, 300-seat Buena Vista Theater will put audiences closer than ever to the trap-snapping action, ensuring every note and every terrifying chomp is felt.

Bradley Freeman Jr., the show's director and a UTSA assistant professor of practice, sees the production as a powerful testament to the enduring magic of live performance. "Over the last several decades, we've seen so much change in the entertainment industry. One thing that has remained consistent is the joy and awe inspired by puppetry and live performance," said Freeman, who is a trained puppeteer himself. "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. I cannot wait for our community to feel that connection at our upcoming performances."

Planting Seeds for a Growing Industry

Beyond the stage, this production serves as a vibrant showcase for a program with a critical mission: to cultivate and retain talent for Texas's booming film and entertainment industry. Established just last fall, UTSA's Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts is the city's only four-year public degree of its kind. Its creation is a direct response to a statewide surge in media production, fueled by a historic legislative investment of $300 million per biennium for film and TV projects.

This state-level commitment has supercharged local activity. In San Antonio alone, film permits have skyrocketed by 165% since 2022. With a combination of local and state incentives offering productions rebates up to 38.5% or more, the city is becoming an increasingly attractive hub. The one missing piece has been a dedicated, local pipeline of trained professionals—a gap UTSA's program is designed to fill.

"Little Shop is a show-stopping way to debut a phenomenal new program with top-notch facilities, leading faculty and incredibly talented student performers," said Paul Ardoin, the dramatic arts program director and one of the show's producers. He emphasized the program's strategic importance in a rapidly expanding market.

"The creation of a Dramatic Arts degree program for San Antonio and San Antonians is a dream come true," Ardoin stated. He added, "Most importantly, it will keep talented Texans in Texas to boost our growing film industry." The curriculum reflects this goal, offering hands-on training not just for the stage, but for the screen, digital media, and the technical arts that support all forms of production.

Building a Stage for the Future

The program's strength lies in its resources and its people. The faculty is composed of industry professionals with extensive real-world experience, including veteran stage and screen actor Victor Trevino and film and TV actor Saagar Shaikh. Their credits, which include projects for major streaming platforms like Disney+, HBO Max, and Netflix, provide students with direct insight into the modern entertainment landscape. This faculty-driven initiative, born from the passion of professors across multiple departments, ensures the curriculum is both academically rigorous and professionally relevant.

Students have access to premier facilities, including the Buena Vista Theater and the on-campus Film and Media Production Hub, which features professional-grade equipment and studio space. The program emphasizes experiential learning through curated internships at local theaters and museums, preparing what the university calls "career-ready Roadrunners."

For the San Antonio community, the debut of Little Shop of Horrors is more than just a night at the theater. It represents the first harvest of a program poised to enrich the city's cultural fabric and fuel its economic future. As Ardoin puts it, the show will give audiences "a unique opportunity to experience American musical theater of the highest quality alongside the innovative approach of our forward-thinking program."

Little Shop of Horrors will run for 10 performances, with show times at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from April 10 to April 26. Tickets are now on sale through the Buena Vista Theater website.