Wondering why people are running around like animals in the Harriet Fulton Theatre? Maybe it is because they are preparing to present the production of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.” The production will open in the Harriet Fulton Theatre on Nov. 4th and run through Nov. 7th. Curtain times are 8:00 p.m. on the 4th through the 6th and a Sunday afternoon performance at 3:00p.m.. Tickets are $5 for Students and $10 for all others.

The production is centered in a barnyard on a farm. The story focuses on the animals that live in the barnyard where a very cruel master owns them. The animals decide to rebel against their master and take over the farm to make it better.

The production has a political angle. This makes it interesting because this is an election year and the production will be shown the same week voters go to the polls. “This is a very educational and political play,” said Stephanie Dowell a cast member. The fact that it is educational led to the decision to show a matinee for high school students. It didn’t take long for the show to sell out.

Many times productions are re-worded from the original form. This production uses the theatrical style, which means it is left in its original form. “This approach makes it exciting and challenging for the cast,” said director Ken Zimmerman. The cast had a wonderful opportunity to do a weekend workshop with Gloria Baxter. She is a pioneer in this style of theatre production as well as the professor of theatre at the University of Memphis. She helped them to achieve a better understanding of narrative theatre. “This is the most challenging play that I have ever been in,” said Joyce Harris, her cast mate Nick Mount commented, “It has been very rigorous.”

The cast is made up of sophomore Derrick Casey of Humboldt; junior Eric Danz of Martin; junior Stephanie Dowell of Franklin; freshman Jessica Eslinger of Newport; freshman Julia Gutierrez of Dresden; senior Joyce Harris of Dyersburge; junior B.J. Keeton of Lawrenceburge; freshman Nick Mounts of Centerville; senior Nicole Pritchard of Union City; sophomore Grant Pugh of Milan; freshman Tim Rainey of Huntingdon; freshman Ana Shaw of Knoxville; and senior Bethany Wintermute of Selmer.

The director of the play is Ken Zimmerman; set designer is Doug Cook; costume designer is Melanie Hollis; technical director is Tim Barrington, and the stage director is freshman Jennifer Horbelt from Memphis.

If you would like to make a reservation you may do so by calling the box office at (731) 881-7090. They will open on Monday Nov.1.