OCC Theatre Adapts ‘Animal Farm’ as Part of Social Justice Series

Orange Coast College’s Theatre department will adapt George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” novella as part of the College’s recently launched Social Justice Series. Performances will take place in the Drama Lab Theatre on Nov. 10-12 and 18-18 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee show scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 19. Animal Farm tells the story of animals that revolt against their human owner, only to find themselves falling into the same tyrannical societal structure that they were hoping to escape.

“This show is an adaptation of George Orwell's chilling parable about society, the abuse of power and a revolution gone terribly wrong,” says OCC theatre instructor and director Tom Bruno. “Although the novel was written by George Orwell as a parallel to the events that occurred during the Russian Revolution, the analogy remains pertinent to Western political systems as a whole, and to this country’s political climate in particular.”

Student actors will play key roles, including Dominic De Los Santos as porcine dictator Napoleon, Cesar Coto as Squealer, Kai Wilding as Snowball and Zion Aguilar as Boxer.

“The cast has certainly risen to the occasion,” Bruno says. “I am asking them to create physical characterizations that evoke, but do not imitate, the animals they are portraying. Their level of commitment is typical of what one would expect in a four-year or Master’s degree program.”

The re-telling will include a soundtrack comprised entirely of Pink Floyd songs, and Bruno hopes to partner with local pet adoption agencies to promote the welfare of animals.

Tickets for Animal Farm run $10 in advance, and $12 at the door ($8/$10 for students and seniors). Tickets can be purchased at www.occtickets.com or by calling (7140 432-5880.