WEST LIBERTY, W.Va.– Final preparations are underway for the Hilltop Players production
of Animal Farm. The show is set to open in the Kelly Theater on Thursday, October 9th and
will run through the 12th.
As opening night approaches, the cast and crew have been hard at work, with today, October 4th, marking the beginning of tech week.
Tech week, sometimes referred to as “hell week” is the final week before a show opens. This is the time when the technical elements, such as costumes, lighting, set, and sound
design, are finally worked into the rehearsal process.
Animal Farm, adapted from George Orwell’s novel of the same name, is a play about revolution, corruption, and betrayal through the lens of animals on a farm. The large ensemble cast takes turns narrating the story and portraying the many animal characters onstage. One cast member, Josh Vetanze, says “we have all been working hard and are all excited to perform it for everyone.”
Vetanze joins fellow castmates Rowland Dodd, Sunni Bartlett, Willow Peyton, Daisy Deaton, Beau Atkisson, Teegan Pugh, Avery Hall, Lydia Hatten, Mattie Clark, Eva Tennant, Donna Bailey, Brooke Porter, Dayna Baker, Charlee Dunlap, and Leah Hutchinson in urging
everyone to come see their incredible performances. The actors all play multiple roles in the play and have each put a lot of effort into their unique portrayals.
It’s not only the cast who is excited. Tech week is a big deal for the director, stage managers, and technicians who dedicate themselves to literally building up the world the actors immerse themselves in. Their vision, design, and craftsmanship come together in this final week to get the show ready for opening night.
Now is the time for Director Michael Aulick and Assistant Director Alex Burdick to finally see their vision come to life.
Production manager Chris Rees and his team of technicians have created some extraordinary visuals and sounds for the show. With props made by Hannah Ellis, costumes by Morgan Tusing, lights by Chelsea Folmar, sound by Cass Strader, hair and makeup by Arielle Orban, and incredible sets built by Jaime and Paul Faulkiner (with the help of some Theatre Appreciation students) audiences are expected to be amazed by what the team has put together.
The show wouldn’t be complete without incredible work from Elle Helsel (front of
house/ticket office), Joy Deaton (dramaturg), Klisty Snider and Emma Underwood
(assistant stage managers), and stage manager Jordan Derring, who provided the
Trumpet with fabulous photos of the rehearsal process.
Derring had much to say about the experience working on this production. “I’m very excited to go into tech week,” Derring says. “We work 10 out of 12 hours on the first day organizing and tidying up anything that is tech related. It’s the best feeling getting to see the show for the first time with every theatrical aspect!”
The evening performances of “Animal Farm” will be October 9th, 10th, and 11th at 7:30pm with a Sunday matinee on October 12th at 3:00pm.
West Liberty University students can buy a ticket for $5 with student ID or general admission is $15. Discounted tickets are available in advance at wlufarm.brownpapertickets.com or at the door.
The house opens 30 minutes before the show so attendees can enter the theatre and find
their seats. There will be a concession stand with themed items, sponsored by the Theatre
National Honor Society Alpha Psi Omega. The concession stand will be taking Venmo payments as well as cash.
You can check out more photos on the Hilltop Players Instagram page @wlu_theatre. If you are interested in getting involved in a play on campus, check your Hilltopper Headlines emails for announcements about auditions.
The next Hilltop Players production will be a play adaptation of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” in December.
