The University of Minnesota Morris Theatre Discipline will present critically-acclaimed play The Wolves Thursday, November 4, through Saturday, November 6, at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, November 6, in the Raymond J. Lammers Proscenium Theatre. The show is one hour and twenty minutes without an intermission and includes mature language and content, not appropriate for children.
A slice-of-life play written by Sarah DeLappe, The Wolves explores the undeniable power of friendship, community, power, politics, individuality, and loss among nine teenage girls on a soccer team. The production is directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Siobhan Bremer.
The Wolves is a contemporary play that steals all your attention with its witty dialogue and its ability to accurately capture the lives of teenage girls on an indoor soccer team. The play follows the nine soccer players as they practice drills for a succession of soccer games. As they warm-up and perform drills, they talk about life, world politics, sports, war, pop culture, genocide, and their relationships. Each member of the team struggles through personal challenges, trying to portray their individuality while still being a part of the group. While navigating the emotional difficulties of their lives, they bond over traumas and interests, bringing them closer together as a team. Through thick and thin, the nine girls remember that they are part of the same team. They are the Wolves.
Bremer says she loves The Wolves because “It is truly an ensemble piece which shows acting teamwork at its best. The show is honest, energetic, dramatic, and complicated, with several conversations overlapping each other—just like in real life.” She states that the characters in the play are “scholars and athletes trying to figure out who they are, which is similar to the actors playing these roles.” Bremer recounts when the cast joined the UMN Morris soccer team for practice for character research. “We had a great time rehearsing outside, learning soccer drills from Bernie Cienik, UMN Morris theatre student and soccer player. You will see those drills on stage during the show.”
The production’s design team is led by the scenic and sound designer, Benjamin Fink. Abby Koel is the production’s stage manager. Madison Kessel ’21 assists Fink with lighting design, and Oliver Rivera ’22 is assistant lighting board operator. Costume Shop Supervisor Zoë Johnson is designing the production’s costumes, paired with Ruby Wittmayer ’23 as assistant costume designer. Jack Strong ’25 is prop master, and Maya Kroska ’24 is the sound board operator. We also have Julia Ahearn ’24 working as run crew. The UMN Morris Theatre Discipline is proud of the sustainable elements used within the show. The costumes were purchased from another organization that performed the show, the turf was rented, and the platforms came from UMN Morris stock to build the set.
The cast includes Gabby Holboy ’24 as #11, Mataya Nelson ’25 as #25, Aiden Lester ’25 as #13, Madison Ferguson ’25 as #46, Ruby Wittmayer ’23 as #2, Bria Teasley ’24 as #7, Kendra DeRosa ’23 as #14, Natalie Peterson ’21 as #8, Corrina Fisher ’23 as #00, and Derek Johnson ’23 as Soccer Dad.
To request accommodations related to disability, please call 320-589-6274. Reserve tickets by emailing thrpub@morris.umn.edu or calling 320-589-6274. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door, beginning one hour before showtime.
The Wolves is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com