The Fine Arts Building was ringing with talent last Monday and Tuesday as auditions for Animal Farm were held.

Auditions were held nightly at 7:30 and lasted just over two hours. On Tuesday, those auditioning met in the Vanguard Theatre for a variety of tests and exercises administered by Dr. Ken Zimmerman, director of this fall’s production. Dr. Doug Cook, professor of theater, commented on the need for auditions to be held in the theater so that “voice projection could be tested.”

The evening began with Zimmerman presenting general information concerning the planned production to those auditioning. Vanguard’s production of Animal Farm will be different from most other past productions. Zimmerman said that this particular production is not a dialogue-based play, but is based solely on the book, including narration and dialogue. Vanguard’s production of Animal Farm is taken from an adaptation by Gloria Baxter, professor at the University of Memphis.

Last week’s auditions brought good numbers to Vanguard with more than 40 people trying out for various parts. Thirty were reported by Cook to have auditioned on Monday evening with about 15 more on Tuesday night. The ones auditioning were told that those who were cast would begin practicing the following weekend with a workshop conducted by Baxter.

The auditions began with several warm-up exercises to ready the breathing, loosen the joints and prepare the voice. Zimmerman led the group through these routines, offering suggestions throughout the period.

The next test for those auditioning was improvised skits. The group of newcomers was broken up into groups of four and given a scene to improvise.

Then they performed for everyone with the little information that had been provided. Improvisation tested their imagination as well as their ability to act.

Finally, the expected came with readings from the script. Zimmerman assigned parts and had those auditioning individually perform a short excerpt from the play. These ranged from comedic to inspiring, but all were able to show what they had. After the assigned readings, Zimmerman then gave permission for the individuals to select another passage and read if they wanted.

Animal Farm will be performed Nov. 4-7, including a Friday matinee for local high school students.