Matthews, Wood Taking on Lead Roles in Northwestern’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ April 23, 24, 26

April 14, 2026

Lead characters Jaden Matthews (left as Audrey) and Lucas Wood (Seymour) rehearse a scene for Northwestern’s upcoming musical, “Little Shop of Horrors.” The production is April 23-24 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 2 p.m. in Herod Hall.

ALVA, Okla. — Lucas Wood and Jaden Matthews are tackling two of the lead roles for the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Reichenberger Department of Fine Arts musical “Little Shop of Horrors” on April 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 2 p.m. in Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall on the Alva campus.

Jaden Matthews, a senior speech/theatre major from Hennessey, works in the shop to create costumes for Northwestern’s upcoming musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” Matthews is also portraying Audrey in the production.

Northwestern speech/theatre majors Lilith Ferrero (left) and Bella Anguino work on a disco ball that will be used for the April 23, 24 and 26 musical “Little Shop of Horrors” at Northwestern-Alva.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for Northwestern employees and $5 for students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at https://nwosufinearts.ludus.com/index.php.

Wood, a sophomore business major from Enid, will be playing Seymour, and Matthews, a junior speech/theatre major from Hennessey, is Audrey. Matthews is also serving as the production’s costume designer.

Wood said preparing for Seymour has pushed him outside of his comfort zone.

“This role has been far different than any role I have played at Northwestern so far,” Wood said. “Typically, my roles have been more comedic and happier, but Seymour’s life is more serious, so I’ve had to prepare in a completely different way and focus on portraying deeper emotions like greed, loss and poverty.”

Despite the challenges, Wood said the music has been one of his favorite parts of the experience.

“All of the music is extremely catchy,” he said. “Even when I’m working on other things, I find myself humming songs like ‘Grow for Me’ and ‘The Meek Shall Inherit.’”

Matthews said she connects deeply with her role as Audrey and the character’s emotional journey.

“I adore playing Audrey,” Matthews said. “She really struggles with self-worth and accepting that she deserves good things in life, and I resonate with that. Seeing her get her happy ending in an unexpected way is really healing.”

As both a lead performer and costume designer, Matthews said balancing the dual roles has been challenging but rewarding.

“It can definitely be a challenge, but I have a great team helping me,” Matthews said. “We’ve done a lot of research into 1950s fashion, and it’s been fun collaborating and bringing the show’s look together.”

Wood said audiences can expect a meaningful and entertaining experience.

“This show deals with things people experience every day, like wanting to be loved,” he said. “It takes trauma and transforms it into something meaningful while also being entertaining. It’s also a cautionary tale about greed and its consequences.”

The production features a talented group of students, alumni and community members. In addition to Wood and Matthews, the cast includes Alan Garcia, an alumnus from Beaver, as Mr. Mushnik; Justus Durham, a freshman speech/theatre major from Brighton, Colorado, as Orin; John Snyder, a senior instrumental music education major from Oklahoma City, as Audrey II-the Plant; and the singing trio of Chiffon by Rylee Ott, a junior biology major from Forgan; Crystal by Erin Hopkins Davis, an alumna from Alva; and Ronnette by Addyson Bryan, a junior visual arts major from Medicine Lodge, Kansas.

Additional cast members include Bella Anguino, a sophomore speech/theatre major from Tulsa; Joplin Bradt, a community member from Alva; Jade Campbell, a senior instrumental music education major from Woodward; Samantha Grimes, a junior music education major from Enid; Rosa Vargas, a senior instrumental music education major from Lahoma; Aspen Marshall, a sophomore speech/theatre major from Tulsa; Lily Post, a sophomore speech/theatre major from Ponca City; Kendra Puebla, a sophomore psychology major from Felt; Elliana Reams, a community member from Kiowa, Kansas; Chuck Shafer, a freshman speech/theatre major from Alva; Matthew Skinner, a junior speech/theatre major from Sand Springs; Jacob Saucedo, a freshman computer science major from Glenpool; and Gabriel Bussinger, a senior speech/theatre major from Woodward.

Crew members supporting the production include Lilith Ferrero, a senior speech/theatre major from Cordell; Artemis Hillman, a junior computer science major from Cheyenne; Lisa Turner, a graduate student in American Studies from Alva; and Ashlien Post, a sophomore psychology major from Enid.

The production team includes co-directors Kimberly Weast, professor of theatre arts, and Mickey Jordan, director of technical theatre and Herod Hall facilities manager; and music director Kane Bradley, instructor of music and director of choral studies. Jordan is also serving as the scenic designer and is the co-choreographer with Davis. Weast is also serving as the lighting designer. Jerad Bradt, a Northwestern alumnus, is the audio designer.

For more information about the Reichenberger Department of Fine Arts at Northwestern, contact Jordan at mojordan@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8458, or visit the webpage at nwosu.edu/fine-arts.