Actor Brianna Qualls, who plays Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, and Director Brady Greer Huffman watch the dress rehearsal on Nov. 4, 2025 in preparation for “Steel Magnolias” in the Frederick Loewe Theatre on Nov. 7, 8, 15 and 16. Credit: Brianne Sparks 
Group photo of the cast, crew and others who participated in and supported “Steel Magnolias” in the Frederick Loewe Theatre. Credit: Brianne Sparks 
Characters Truvy Jones, M’Lynn Eatenton and Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, played by Sylvia Elena Torres, Mila Ellis and Delaney Drottar respectively, have a heart-to-heart on stage during the University of Redlands production of “Steel Magnolias” in the Frederick Loewe Theatre. Credit: Brianne Sparks 
Scenic Designer Otinelis Iancu did some finishing touches on the edges of the set right before one of the last dress rehearsals for “Steel Magnolias.” Credit: Brianne Sparks
“Steel Magnolias” is a story about friendship, who you choose to be vulnerable with and the bonds that get forged in difficult times.
That’s according to Rebecca Davis, the Marketing and Box Office Director for the University of Redlands Department of Theatre & Dance’s production of “Steel Magnolias,” just before a dress rehearsal on Nov. 4, 2025.
For three nights and a matinee in November, the Frederick Loewe Theatre was transformed into Truvy’s Beauty Salon, transporting the audience into the mid-1980s lives of six women in Chinquapin, Louisiana.
The play was set in the round, where the audience surrounds the stage. This immersive setting makes it easy to fall into the story and become emotionally attached to the characters and story. This is also achieved with a period-accurate set. The UoR Theatre Department collected set pieces from the online marketplace OfferUp, thrift stores, antique shops and more, while others were handcrafted for the show.
The set included two hair wash stations which were created from multiple pieces and used actual piping to make the sink portion functional. The stage designers also used real drywall techniques on the edge of the stage to make the audience truly feel like they were in the salon.
When meeting and interviewing the team who helped to bring “Steel Magnolias” to the Frederick Loewe Theatre, it became clear they put love into every aspect of the play. Many members of the crew stated that what really made the show work were the real offstage friendships that the cast was able to create.
For the onstage cast, one of the most difficult parts of getting into character was perfecting their accents. The play’s director, Brady Greer Huffman, had them practice their accents by speaking in them as often as possible. He also had them do research into the roots of the accent to make sure they were as accurate as possible. The other consensus about getting into character was the importance of costumes.
Costume Designer Deborah Bradford, who has been with the UoR for 23 years, designed all the looks for each character and said it was “fun to see the kids transform.” Other students including Isabella Azcorra, Rosanna Chavez and Alexa Bautista also helped support the costume side of the production. They ensured the onstage cast looked their absolute best, managed quick outfit changes between scenes and helped get actors out of costume at the end of the show.
Directly behind the stage is the well-oiled machine that made everything onstage possible. Nat Carranza and Jenna Orem, two of the backstage crew, made sure props got on stage at the proper times. They worked in the dark during quick moments between scenes and during intermission. Without their efforts, the important contextual work of thematic timing would not be possible.
Right before the dress rehearsal, stage manager Veronica Spagnuolo had a moment to speak about the show. During the discussion she praised the hard work of the cast and crew. When asked if she had any hesitations or anxieties around opening the show, she said, “I make sure I do my job and trust them to do theirs.”
After opening night, students who attended the show took the time to explain their thoughts. Freshman Mikayla Roby said the show had an “amazing representation of female friendship.” Other students described the show as vivid, with heartwarming comedy and incredible dialogue.
Below are the names and titles of the cast and crew.
Cast:
Truvy Jones–SYLVIA ELENA TORRES, Clairee Belcher–SKYLAR ELLIS, Ouiser Boudreaux–AVA RODRIGUEZ, M’Lynn Eatenton–MILA ELLIS, Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie–ALEXI ORNELAS, Annelle Dupuy-Desoto–BRIANNA QUALLS (DELANEY DROTTAR on Nov. 15)
Crew
Director–BRADY GREER HUFFMAN, Scenic Designer–OTINELIS IANCU, Costume Designer–DEBORAH BRADFORD, Assistant Costume Designer–ALEC SEILER, Lighting Designer–TREVOR NORTON, Sound Designer and Sound Board Operator–JULIA RAMOS, Stage Manager–VERONICA SPAGNUOLO, Assistant Stage Manager–ISABELLA AZCORRA, Dramaturg and Prop Master–LARA BADEN, Light Board Operator–ELI JACOBSEN, Backstage Costumes–ALEXA BAUTISTA, Backstage Costumes–MAC SHEPPARD, Backstage Costumes–ROSSANA CHAVEZ, Backstage Costumes–JENNA OREM, Backstage Stagehand–NAT CARRANZA, Backstage Stagehand–LAYLA KLEINER, Marketing & Box Office–REBECCA DAVIS, Marketing & Show Artwork–ALEXA SIFUENTES, Front Office Support & Marketing–ZIYAH DAVENPORT. Costume Shop Crew– ISABELLA AZCORRA, MIKAL ENNIS, DANIEL ESCAMILIA, BRIANNA GARCIA, SOPHIE JOHNSON, LAYLA KLEINER, BHUMEE PARMAR, ALEC SEILER, MAC SHEPPARD, & AMYA SMITH. Scene Shop Crew–JAMIE PIEARCY, MILA ELLIS, BEAU SACKMAN, LARA BADEN, SYLVIA TORRES, AVERY HEIDEBRECHT, CATIE WHITWOOD, FABIOLA AYALA RIVERA, THEOPHILUS GUTIERREZ, ASHLYNN ALDERMAN, ELI JACOBSEN, & LUIS MACHADO.
Brianne Sparks
Brianne Sparks is the photo editor for the Redlands Bulldog. A freshman double-majoring in English Literature and History, she enjoys drinking coffee and tea while doing her other hobbies like cross-stitch, reading and antique shopping.
