The TJ Drama Department rents a range of puppets to put on a performance TJ will not soon forget.
Audrey (the puppet) licks her lips in front of Mushnik's Flower Shop, in Little Shop of Horrors. Photo by Clayton Bridges
Starting March 14th through the 17th, the Thomas Jefferson Drama Department will host its own adaptation of the Little Shop of Horrors with not only actors livening up the show, but also puppets.
This year, the show simply could not go on without one of its main characters—Audrey, who is a puppet. “We don’t want to give away too much about the puppets as we want to surprise the audience when the show premiers; however, I can tell you they, as well as the puppeteers, are extraordinary,” said Drama Teacher Michael Palmieri.
The puppets in the show range from smaller sized hand puppets to ones over nine feet tall. The three student puppeteers are Sophomore Jasmine Hicks, Sophomore Delainey Winder, and Freshman Sara Puckett. “Our largest puppet requires all three of us to operate, and was almost impossible to get inside the auditorium,” said Puckett. “We’ve been working out and conditioning with Coach Bill Burns three times a week for forty five minutes because it’s extremely difficult to work such a large puppet!”
“Our puppeteers deserve as much credit as they can possibly get, and I really want the school to recognize them as much as the actors. They are what make the show possible and I’m extremely proud of them,” said Palmieri.
The drama department rented the puppets at a cost of $2,000 from Imagined Creations, a professional puppet artistry whom Palmieri was able to meet with and have them get on board with the spring show.
Photo by Mateo Rocha
“Not only do we have these amazing puppets, but the auditorium also had major improvements done to it this year, as well,” said Palmieri. An expensive new sound system was installed throughout the theatre, as well as new lights, electronic lifts for the sets, fog and ice machines, and more were also added to the auditorium.
Tickets can be purchased at school through the TJ Drama Department, or online at tjjournal.com. Adult tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door, and student tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. The show will be one not soon forgotten, and will reach new heights for the TJ Drama Department.
