ASU Theater presents Orwell’s dystopian drama “1984” for fall production

SAN ANGELO, TX – Angelo State University’s University Theater will present the award-winning drama “1984,” based on the famous novel by George Orwell, in its first production of the fall season, beginning Thursday, October 10, at the ASU Modular Theater.

Performances will take place every evening at 8 p.m. October 10-12 and October 17-19, with a final matinee performance on Sunday, October 20 at 2 p.m. The Modular Theater is located in ASU’s Carr Education-Fine Arts (EFA) building at 2602 Dena Drive.

Tickets are $10 for the general public, $5 for non-ASU students and free for Arts at ASU subscribers, ASU students and ASU activity card holders. Tickets can be purchased online at angelo.edu/boxoffice or at the ASU Box Office in the Carr EFA Building.

The novel Nineteen Eighty-Four has become a classic literary example of political and dystopian fiction. It also popularized the term “Orwellian” as an adjective, with many terms used in the novel also becoming commonly used, including “Big Brother,” “doublethinker,” and “thought police.” This authorized stage adaptation “1984” is faithful to the novel, in which Orwell powerfully portrays the horrors of human fate in a society where Big Brother is always watching and everything that is not forbidden is mandatory.

The adapted play won two Liverpool Arts Awards in 2013 and a UK Theater Award in 2014, and was nominated for a Tony Award in 2018.

“1984” contains adult themes and is recommended for viewers ages 18 and older.

Led by University Theater Director Daniel Anderson, the cast of ASU students includes Jordan Chapman, Kirby Paugh, Mitchell Martinez, Catalina Perry, Tyson Walls, Addison Gregoire, Xander Cooper, Emily Wagner and Demetrius Armstrong.

Student production staff and crew include Jasmine Solis, stage manager; Sydney Fisher, assistant stage manager; Samuel Molho, set designer; Kate Yantis, costume designer; Breonna Casey, projection designer; Charlotte Branch, sound designer; Ja’Nae Wilson, assistant sound designer; Alec Ochoa Razo, props designer; Margarita Torres Fabela, stage/props assistant; Cassandra Fuentes and Atlas Carrasco, scenic artists; Emma Cullen, senior electrician; Aliajana Stewart, property manager; Analee Curry, dresser; Kailey Dutton, light panel op; and Luz Valadez, soundboard op.

Rebekah Clark, assistant professor of theater, is the lighting designer and Chase Phelps is the ASU technical director.

For ticket information or to purchase tickets at the ASU Box Office, call 325-942-2000. The box office is open weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Carr EFA building.