Troy Kelleher
Staff Writer
For acting like a lowly jackass, Will Allan ’09 is getting praise from high places.
Allan, a standout theatre major at North Central, plays dual roles in Chicago-based Steppenwolf Theatre’s fall production “Animal Farm,” which runs through Nov. 16. Starring as a narrative, passive donkey and author George Orwell himself, Allan is being reviewed by the biggest critics in Chicago theatre and they’re raving.
The Chicago Tribune’s chief theatre critic Chris Jones calls Allan’s work “superb,” writing that his performance “anchors this fast-moving show and keeps everything just slightly off balance.”
Receiving a four-star review is reason enough for any theatre troupe to celebrate, but being singled-out by Jones is monumental for Allan, says North Central Fine Arts Director Brian Lynch.
“Jones is, by far, the most respected, most critical of all the theatre critics in Chicago,” Lynch said. “Allan already has an excellent reputation in the Chicago market. A strong review from Jones only strengthens his career.”
The metallic clatter of Allan’s Orwell working at a typewriter was the first sound heard by the audience crowded into Steppenwolf Theatre’s performance hall Oct. 25. His voice followed, a British accent he struggled to perfect.
“You never know if that accent will come out right,” Allan said. “Switching from a British accent to donkey voice and back to British accent is a fairly nerve-wracking feat.”
In addition to his accent, Allan’s movement changed during the performance, degrading from Orwell’s confident posture to a slumped, dispassionate animal. His hands, concealed by hooves, gently galloped as he slunk along the stages’ edge, narrating the political chaos of farm animals that ousted their farmer with a coup d’état. Jones writes that Allan’s performance outweighs his fellow actors, and the convincing body language and striking portrayals of Allan’s two characters made this distinction clear.
While he was still a student at North Central, Allan made ripples in the Chicago theatre scene. He played a leading role in the critically-acclaimed drama “The History Boys” at TimeLine Theatre, where he appeared in the sold-out show six times a week during its 25-week run. After seeing his performance, Steppenwolf casting director Erica Daniels pulled him into an audition, where he landed a role in the 2010 production of “A Separate Peace.” Jones noticed, selecting Allan as one of his seven top picks of 2011 in his list of “The Hot New Faces of Chicago Theatre.”
For Allan, his quick success after graduating from North Central is due to hard work and Cardinal role models.
“[Theatre professor] Carin Silkaitis was really my mentor at North Central,” Allan said. “The most important thing she taught me is that you need to work harder than everyone else. Talent is one thing; passion is another. If you don’t work hard, they both go to waste.”
In addition to furthering Allan’s own career, Lynch says the actor’s success is a victory for the whole North Central fine arts community, especially students looking to break into the acting scene.
“Allan helps his fellow North Central actors by having the reputation that he does,” said Lynch, who describes the theatre industry as a small, tight-knit community where reputations are critical.
“He also has a direct influence. Offering advice on audition pieces, agents, shows to audition for–Allan wants to help,” he said.
While he does not have any projects scheduled after “Animal Farm,” Allan says he has prospects in Chicago and New York. He hopes to eventually perform with Playwrights Horizons in New York and at the city’s famed Vivian Beaumont theatre.
Allan says he plans to follow his own advice while pursuing lofty theatre ambitions.
“Work harder than everyone else,” he said. “You always hear it’s a tough business. It is. People won’t just give you anything; you have to earn it.”
Steppenwolf Theatre will perform “Animal Farm” through Nov. 16 at 1650 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL. Tickets cost $20. To purchase tickets and find show times, call 312-335-1650 or visit steppenwolf.org.
