West Liberty, W.Va., October 1, 2025– The Hilltop Players at West Liberty University proudly announce their upcoming production of Nelson Bond’s stage adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Directed by Theatre Director Michael Aulick, and assisted by Alexandra Burdick, this production will bring Orwell’s timeless allegory of power, corruption, and greed vividly to life on the Hilltop stage.
First published in 1945, Orwell’s Animal Farm is a sharp satire of totalitarianism disguised as a deceptively simple fable. In it, barnyard animals overthrow their human owner in pursuit of equality—only to watch their vision of utopia collapse under the weight of ambition and tyranny. Nelson Bond’s adaptation distills Orwell’s searing message into a theatrical experience alive with drama, wit, and biting political commentary.
“This is one of those stories that stays relevant no matter the decade,” said Aulick. “Bond’s adaptation captures the spirit of Orwell’s novel but also allows us to explore themes of power, greed, and betrayal in a way that feels immediate and theatrical. It’s a story that challenges the audience to recognize the patterns of history—and to ask whether we are doomed to repeat them.”
Featuring a cast of West Liberty University theatre majors and nonmajors alike, the production embraces physical performance, inventive staging, and evocative design elements to transform the Kelly Theatre stage into Orwell’s unforgettable world.
Cast members include:
Beau Atkisson, Donna Bailey, Dayna Baker, Sunni Bartlett, Mattie Clark, Daisy Deaton, Rowland Dodd, Charlee Dunlap, Avery Hall, Lydia Hatten, Leah Hutchinson, Willow Peyton, Brooke Porter, Teegan Pugh, Eva Tennant, and Josh Vetanze.
Rowland Dodd, who plays Old Major and Narrator 1, noted the unique demands of the production: “This style of theatre asks us to live in two worlds at once. We narrate the action directly to the audience while also embodying the animals as characters. It’s a challenging balance, but it makes the performance feel more alive—almost like the audience is inside the fable with us.”
Performance Information
Animal Farm will be performed:
- October 9–11 at 7:30 p.m.
- October 12 at 3:00 p.m.
in the Kelly Theatre on the campus of West Liberty University.
Ticket Prices
- $15 – General Admission
- $12.50 – Seniors / WLU Faculty & Staff
- $8 – Children or Students (non-WLU)
- $5 – WLU students (valid ID required)
Reservations can be made by calling 304-336-8277. Discounted tickets are available in advance at wlufarm.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the day of each performance.
About West Liberty University Theatre
The Department of Theatre and Music at West Liberty University is dedicated to artistic excellence, hands-on learning, and producing engaging, thought-provoking performances. The Hilltop Players, the university’s resident theatre company, showcase a wide range of classic and contemporary works each season, providing students with professional-level stage experience and audiences with theatre that inspires and entertains.
For more information, visit www.westliberty.edu/theatre or contact Michael Aulick at maulick@westliberty.edu.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students’ aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.
Media Contact
Theresa Gretchen
West Liberty University
tgretchen1@westliberty.edu
