The future of local theatre in Norfolk is in good hands.

Next month, the popular Little Shop of Horrors is coming to Simcoe Little Theatre, and you could feel the excitement when NorfolkToday stopped by during one of their rehearsals.

Hannah Dolson is a familiar face on stage, but she decided to make Little Shop her first foray into directing.

For the first time, she is going to be standing off to the side on opening night, watching her vision of the show come to life.

While directing comes with its fair share of challenges, she has embraced them and found creative ways to put on this big show at the little theatre.

This includes the Little Shop truly being a “little shop” and bringing in some top-end puppets that she thinks will blow the crowd away.

While the idea of directing has been floating in her mind for some time, it was this particular play that sealed the deal, as it seemed like kismet.

Dolson taking the reins of the show is something new and exciting, but it could also show what the next several years of theatre production in Norfolk might look like.

Mac Buchwald is playing one of the lead roles in the production as Seymour Krelborn.

He has been acting since he was a child, starting off in Old Town Hall Kids, and saw this opportunity as more than just taking on a role but as a way of showcasing the future.

Jada Dawson plays the other lead role in the play – Audrey.

She, too, has been acting since she was a kid and is currently attending university, but she couldn’t turn down the chance to be a part of this particular show.

We asked Buchwald and Dawson why people should head out to these local productions, whether it be at Little Shop of Horrors at Simcoe Little Theatre or any other production.

Dawson agreed with Buchwald, knowing there are many people in the community who have not yet stopped in to watch a show, and said they are missing out on something special.

The first show opens on November 21st, with ticket information here.