CCHS theatre performs ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The Dawghouse Theatre Club of Copperas Cove High School took to the stage at Lea Ledger Auditorium for four evenings in a row as they performed the musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”
The school’s theatre arts department spent two months preparing on the production, said director Katy Tagliabue, who along with Cody Edgar worked with the students as they learned their lines and more. The pair were extremely proud of what their students in the Theatre Arts Department were able to accomplish. 
Even before the final performance on Sunday evening, tears began to flow as some of the students hugged each other prior to the opening curtain. 
“This is the last time for some of them,” said Tagliabue, noting that the department performs a fall musical every two years.  
The main cast of 15, led by sophomore Dylan Nelson in the role of Seymour, Caylyn Schaefer in the role of Mrs. Mushnik, Kaitlyn Huston as Audrey for whom the hungry plant Audrey 2 was named, senior Andrew Carter in the role of ill-fated sadistic dentist Orin, along with the trio of Crystal, Chiffon and Bonnette, played by Tatiana Morales, Kiara Spicer and Bre’Anna Polite, were supported by a chorus and crew who ran the lights, sound, stage direction, hair, makeup, costumes and more.
Dylan Nelson is a sophomore but had no trouble carrying the leading role of the awkward flower shop assistant who falls prey to the influence of a bloodthirsty plant clipping he names “Audrey 2”, after his coworker. 
“I’ve loved theatre since I was three years old,” said Nelson, for whom this was his first musical in high school. “When you first hop into it, it’s like ‘Wow, man, it’s a lot.’ Musicals are really hard. but after the two months are over, it’s like, ‘Man, we finally did it.’ All that hard work pays off.”
He was especially grateful for all who came out to support their performances. 
“A lot of hard work has gone into this. Thank you for your donations, especially. It’s been a journey.”
For senior Andrew Carter, taking the stage for one more show as one of the villains of the musical was an emotional moment. At seeing the support from everyone in the audience, he found himself in tears. He said he has grown during his four years in Theatre Arts at the school.
“My freshman year, I was in theatre, but I wasn’t as into it as I am now. Around sophomore year, I joined improv, then junior year when (Cody Edgar and Katy Tagliabue) joined as directors, I became more into the club. That’s when I decided I wanted to major in it and I’m now president of the Thespian Club,” Carter said. He is already looking forward to auditioning during the upcoming “Thes-Fest” and hopes to win scholarships so he can continue to follow his passion.
Ticket sales over the four nights helped raise funds for the club, as did concession stands. Local bakers even provided cupcakes decorated with miniature “Audrey 2” plants made of icing.
The monies raised from the performances go right back to the efforts of the department, said Lisa McLean, president of the Dawghouse Theatre Parent Club, who along with other parents helped run concessions and ticket sales.
“The money helps fund costumes, sets, props, for the kids,” said McLean. She added that soon the theatre arts students will be competing at the UIL Theatre competition and funds will help them make that trip. 
The theatre students don’t have long until they take the stage again, when Improv Night returns to the performance lineup on Friday at 7 p.m. at Lea Ledger Auditorium.