This fall, ONU Theatre will present 1984, adapted for the stage by Robert Owens, Wilton E. Hall Jr., and William A. Miles Jr., at the Theatre at Sims. Showtimes are Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7:00 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Many people are familiar with the phrase “Big Brother is always watching” but not everyone knows that the phrase originated in George Orwell’s novel, 1984. The dystopian book, published in 1949 has served as a decades-long warning against the dangers of totalitarianism.
The story follows the emotional journey of Party member, Winston Smith, who risks everything in search of truth and personal freedom. In a world where Big Brother is always watching from a telescreen and spies lurk around every corner, Winston and his fellow rebels are constantly under threat for daring to contradict the state’s increasingly narrow agenda: to eradicate the need to think or feel to enforce complete obedience on the population.
1984, as a novel and a play, can be intense and uncomfortable — the content is recommended for ages 12 and up. However, director of ONU Theatre, Kelsie Davis ’19/’22 MBA emphasizes that it is still a story worth telling.
“As we step into the world of Oceania, you may notice that it does not all feel like fiction,” Prof. Davis says. “This story may challenge you, exhaust you, and anger you — I certainly feel all of those things. Moments of this story may suddenly slice through the veil of our dystopian world onstage and into the reality you walk through every day. But, the hope I want to remind you of is that it is still fiction. As Winston says in our story, ‘There is truth, and there is untruth, and if you cling to the truth, even against the whole world, you aren’t mad.’ My hope is that this story might empower us all to cling to the Truth.”
Cast:
Winston Smith: Emir Armstead-Lee
Julie: Maya Spears
O’Brien: Jacob Schindler
Syme (& Winston understudy): Anthony Roebuck
Parsons: Brianna Kanable
Landlady: Leyna Miller
Gladys/Coffee Vendor: Livi Bryant
Messenger/Waitress (& Julia understudy): Katie DeVries
Martin: Grey Roesti
Voice of Loudspeaker/Guard (& Syme understudy): Noah Peterson
Guard: Mason Aydelott
Parsons/Landlady swing: Sydney Lang
Swing: Tiah Guthrie
Voice of Big Brother: Zach O’Haver
Voice of Goldstein: Remington Schleyhahn
Directing/Technical Team:
Director: Professor Kelsie Davis
Production Assistant: Grace Beatty
Assistant Director: Ella Carder
Stage Management: Lauren Johnson & Tiah Guthrie
Stage Crew: Alaina Sanders, Clara Grey
Lighting Designer: Sydney Lang
Scenic Design: Jessy Ann Stream & Grey Roesti
Scenic Artist: Sarah Kellner
Sound: Grace Beatty & Sarah Westbrook
Costume Designer: Abigail Siri
Hair/Makeup Designer: Jaina Dubbert
Property Designer: Marina Prather
Stage Combat: Meg Konieczka
Dialect Coaching: Katie DeVries
Front of House: Clara Grey
For more information about ONU Theatre, visit Olivet.edu/Academics
