Theatre to Present 'Animal Farm;' Opening Set for Nov. 9
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University’s Department of Theatre continues the 2018-2019 season with “Animal Farm” by George Orwell, adapted by Ian Wooldridge.
Performances are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9-10, and Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 13-14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Drama Theatre of Fowler Center. Also, a matinee is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m.
According to director Jeff McLaughlin, assistant professor of theatre, “Animal Farm” is the story of the animals on Manor Farm, who revolt against the tyranny of forced work. After gaining freedom, the exalted words of the rebellion become distorted and the citizens of Manor Farm come to learn that while all animals are equal, “some animals are more equal than others.”
McLaughlin also is the scenic designer and technical director for the production.
Costume design is by Claire Abernathy, associate professor of theatre, lighting design is by Caisa Sanburg, assistant professor of theatre, sound design is by Mattie Robinson, a theatre minor from Searcy, and hair and makeup design is by Courtney Light, a theatre major from Alicia.
Brianna Larson, instructor of theatre, is the associate director and choreographer. Brandon Sterrett, instructor of theatre, is the voice and dialect coach.
Trenton McKenzie of White Hall plays Storyteller and Pilkington, Bryce Moore of White Hall plays Jones and Benjamin, and Carson Horton of Batesville plays Major and Snowball. Eve Hamilton of North Little Rock plays Moses, Human, and 4 Pigs, while Abbey Cooper of Russellville plays Squealer. McKenzie, Moore, Horton and Cooper are theatre majors.
Josh Pryor of Clinton plays Napoleon. Whitley Fore Newman of Harrisburg plays Mollie and Minimus, and Caelon Colbert of Little Rock plays Boxer. Amy Faughn of Jonesboro plays Clover, and Tiauna Murphy of Jonesboro plays 3 Geese, Human, and Dogs. Pryor, Newman, Colbert, Faughn and Murphy also major in theatre.
Deaa Sims of West Memphis plays 2 Sheep and Dogs, Grace Dial of Paragould plays 1 Hen, Human, Dogs, and Young Animal, and Davis Campbell of Batesville plays Animal 1 and Dogs. Katelyn Stanton of Trumann plays Animal 2, Human, and Dogs, and Michaela Partridge of Leola plays Animal 3 and Dogs. Sims, Dial, Campbell, Stanton and Partridge are majoring in theatre.
Assistant director is Hayley Scott of North Little Rock. assistant lighting designer is Griffen Birdsong of Heber Springs, stage manager is Carson Ecker of Bryant, and assistant stage managers are Elizabeth Escobedo of Russellville and Brendan Yocum of Wynne.
Prop masters are Clay Bures of Jacksonville and Destiny Kirby of Paragould. Master electrician is Eli Webb of Jonesboro, and house managers are Dejah Harris of Pine Bluff and Tinah Carter of Jonesboro. Sound board operator and dramaturg is David Norris of Southside and the light board operator is Hannah Martin of Blytheville.
The wardrobe crew includes Kayley Shettles of Jacksonville, Claire Thomas of Batesville, and Kassidy Ratz, a psychology major from Beebe. Publicist is Cody Preston of Bono.
Bures is a chemistry major and Ratz majors in psychology; the other members of the crew are theatre majors.
Admission is $10-$15. For tickets, one may call (870) 972-ASU1 or visit AState.edu/tickets.
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