Pitt State Theatre to present Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
Pittsburg, KS – George Orwell’s cautionary tale, “Animal Farm,” adapted by Ian Wooldridge and directed by Linden Little, will be brought to life by Pitt State Theatre April 20-23 at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, 1711 S. Homer.
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. April 20-22 and at 2 p.m. on April 22-23 in the Miller Theater.
Tickets are on sale now and are free to those with PSU ID.
About the show
The classic literary fable follows the uprising of the animals of Manor Farm. Inspired by the utopian vision of Major the pig, the animals revolt and exile Mr. Jones, the neglectful farmer.
For a time, the animals live in perfect community and freedom, but the peace is short-lived due to the corruption of the pig, Napoleon. He wrongly concludes “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
Originally an allegory for the Russian Revolution of the early 20th Century, this story serves as a warning against the rise of totalitarianism in any form.
“With the polarization of political thought all across the globe, Orwell’s tale is relevant to a contemporary audience,” Little said.
This production follows a unique process in an attempt to democratize collaboration. Rather than having the director dictate each move and sequence, the ensemble is responsible for the creation of many of the key moments.
“Wooldridge’s adaptation is very open to interpretation, whole passages of action are given in one sentence and the cast has to build out the dramatic form from this limited prompt,” Little said.
About the cast
The cast includes three community members: Tony Sanchez plays Major the Pig, while the horses Boxer and Clover are played by Rashid M. Bey and Sarah Hall.
PSU junior Michaela Henningsen brings Napoleon the pig to life and Natalie Rigdon plays Snowball and Benjamin. Theatre veteran Ryan Bennet plays Squealer the pig. Ensemble member Libby Vogel rounds out the cast by playing a variety of animals, including Moses the raven, Mollie the horse, and Minimus the pig.
How to buy tickets
Tickets may be reserved by calling the PSU Ticket Office at 620-235-4796 or at pittstate.edu/tickets. They will be available for sale at the box office 30 minutes before curtain. Tickets are $12 for the general public, $7 for those under 17 and over 65, and admission is free to those with a valid PSU photo ID. Group discounts are available for 10 or more; call 620-235-4536 for information.