WEST LIBERTY, WV – On Saturday, October 11th, I had the privilege of attending the Hilltop Players’ production of “Animal Farm” at the Kelly Theater on West Liberty University campus. The play’s “storybook theatre” style retelling of George Orwell’s classic novel featured a blend of narration and character performance from the actors.
Director Michael Aulick had a clear vision; his scenic design, along with costumes by Morgan Tusing and lighting design by Chelsea Folmar, created a powerful visual throughline.
The intimate space of the Kelly Theater, as well as the powerful voices of the actors, allows for the production to skip the use of microphones. This is a choice I tend to really appreciate, and this show is no exception. Getting to see the drama up close and hear the raw voices of the actors really enhanced the feeling of immersion.
Aulick’s Director’s Note explains, “Our staging uses physicality, rhythm, and transformation rather than elaborate sets or effects.” This choice allowed for Orwell’s words to take center stage. The set, while minimal, was beautifully constructed; the costumes were symbolic, rather than literal depictions of farm animals; and the props were used intentionally. Lighting and sound effects were also used only when needed.
The actors truly brought this story to life. I want to praise every actor for their performance and the bravery it takes to get up on stage, but I must pay special acknowledgment to those who truly stood out to me.
Rowland Dodd, playing Old Major and Mr. Jones, was certainly one of my favorites. Dodd’s energy and volume could fill a stadium. Sunni Bartlett’s expressive portrayal of the totalitarian Napoleon struck fear into the hearts of everyone in the audience. Daisy Deaton and Willow Peyton, playing Squealer and Snowball, have both found a way to balance expressiveness with subtlety in their respective performances. Beau Atkisson’s characterization of Boxer was heartbreaking and incredible. And of the ensemble players, Josh Vetanze managed to give a standout performance that really impressed me.
On the night I attended the show, the audience was informed that one of the actors could no longer continue the run and that the role of Muriel would instead be read by Assistant Stage Manager Klisty Snyder. Not only did Snyder do a fabulous job of filling in the role, but the rest of the cast seemed to adapt quite well to the change.
If you missed your chance to see this show, don’t forget to keep an eye out for your Hilltopper Headlines for more information about upcoming shows, or check https://westliberty.edu/theater/productions/ to see the current season (subject to change).
If you’re interested in getting involved in WLU theatre, you can consider taking a theatre class, auditioning for future performances, or contacting Technical Director Chris Rees ([email protected]) to see what you can contribute to upcoming productions behind the scenes.
