“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Returns to Warren Wilson
Emily Cobb | Feb. 17, 2026
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” shadowcast was triumphantly performed on campus for the fifth time on Feb. 14 in Bryson Gym, garnering an audience of over 60 people.
Typically, the Queer Resource Center (QRC) puts on the performance, but due to limitations, it was unable to do so this academic year. However, Lou Hittle, a senior English major, wanted to ensure this iconic Wilson event returned. Hittle acted in the shadowcast their sophomore year as Magenta and their junior year as Columbia. This year, they took on a new role as director.
“The reason I wanted to direct was, one, because I was worried it wasn't going to happen if someone didn't take on that role, and two, because I wanted to make sure that the show had more than a week to [rehearse],” Hittle said, referencing last year’s production. “I didn't want another cast to have to go through that because I think the show is better when everyone feels comfortable and sexy and happy with what they're doing.”
The Theater Club helped to put the show on, and Kittredge Art Center Crew had two members assisting in the production, set designer Grey Biaso and production team coordinator Sam Head. The Kittredge Art Center Crew also provided funding for the shadowcast to buy the licensing to put the performance on.
Auditions were in December, and once the cast was selected, there were roughly 4 weeks to rehearse for the show.
Sonny Church, a junior majoring in English and Art, played Brad Major, performing in theater for the first time. Church decided he wanted to audition for the show last April, wanting to challenge himself.
“I think it was definitely exciting and difficult,” Church said. “We had about four or five weeks of rehearsal, three to four days a week. I feel like that amount of work really got me comfortable. [Though] I definitely struggled with memorizing lines.”
Hittle wore a variety of hats during the production, handling everything from blocking to choreography. The success of the production was largely due to dedication, extreme budgeting and resourcefulness.
“I'm just so proud of my cast and crew for putting this together with very little resources, and we did it in four weeks,” Hittle said. “We're not getting paid, we're not really affiliated with anything, so it was all just based on people's willingness to commit.”
Costumes were created from personal items and previous QRC costumes, the set from personal supplies and remaining elements from the dollar store.
“I think if Rocky looks expensive or polished, you're doing it wrong,” Hittle said. “I think there's like a very kind of DIY punk sensibility to it. I think it's just unbelievably important to share such a queer and trans piece of art with a queer and trans audience…To get to share a space with other queer and trans folks who are dressed in ways that make them feel like themselves, who are gathering to share community and to heckle other queer and trans people, I think that's really beautiful.”
Church also spoke on “The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s” influence and impact within the queer community.
“It's such a great part of queer history and film history, it really captures that joy in resistance kind of thing,” Church said. “Which I feel like is very present in queer history. Making fun of ourselves and making fun of everybody else, and just having a good time…while also being outrageous and extravagant. As a trans person, I love the transness of it. Even though some people might consider it to be outdated. I think it's perfect.”
Both Church and Hittle were adamant in their wish for the shadowcast to continue at Wilson. To the pair, the show is a special project that promotes community and joy.
Photography by Richmond Joyce