The Wolves

adminsyt June 18, 2019July 9, 2021 drama, wolves, wolves play, youth theatre

Video production for livestream July 25, 2020.

By Sarah DeLappe

About This Production

Left quad. Right quad. Lunge. A girls’ indoor soccer team warms up. From the safety of their suburban stretch circle, the team navigates big questions and wages tiny battles with all the vim and vigor of a pack of adolescent warriors. A portrait of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for nine American girls who just want to score some goals.

Rehearsals had begun on this production when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. The cast chose to continue rehearsals together via Zoom meetings. For safety during the pandemic and theatre closure, Spotlight licensed one online presentation (July 25 on YouTube) and a drive-in movie event (Aug. 1 in the SYT parking lot) of The Wolves produced on video in its real-life setting of a soccer field—thanks to Arizona Sports Complex of Glendale, Arizona.

Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves was a Finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and winner of the
2015 Relentless Award for Playwrighting.

Meet the Wolf Pack (Video Promo)

Director’s Note

From the playbill:

I would like to take this moment to highlight the impeccable work by the Spotlight Youth Theatre production team. Our team has navigated through many challenges and I am so proud of everyone rallying in support of this special production. It is one of the first of its kind in our theatre community, and I have no doubt this project will allow Spotlight Youth Theatre to lead by example in such unchartered territory.

Many thanks to Kenny Grossman for the gift to direct such an important and relevant piece. (The Wolves will forever hold a special place in my heart.) I also want to thank Kenny for his firm desire to hire a predominantly women-led team. (Girl Power!)

Sincere thanks to our videographer and editor, David Watson, for the tireless hours he spent making this video possible.

Special thanks to two amazing stage managers, Maria Cruz and Falin Ossipinsky. Without them, the undertaking of this production would have been impossible. Both of these young women are organized and intelligent creatives. I am so lucky that our future is bright in their hands.

Much thanks to Braxton Carhart, our incredible soccer coach, for teaching our girls new skills. I also want to thank our fitness coach Barbara Winch, for helping our girls build stamina.

Brenda Goodenberger, thank you for your artistry and the level of verisimilitude you bring to such a complex character.

To my lovely, sassy, intelligent, beautiful, kind, sarcastic, and funny Wolves: We have become a family. You will look back at this experience and you will remember what being on stage vs. what being on Zoom feels like. You will live in two worlds having an appreciation for the past, with your feet firmly planted in the future. I can’t give you back your missed sweet 16 celebrations, proms, graduations, and vacations… But what I can give you is my sincerest gratitude and unending love.

Lastly, # 00, 2, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 25, and 46, you all have created a sisterhood that surpasses this production. I am excited to see how you continue to take care of each other, and continue to deepen the bonds of our pack. We are the WOLVES!

Chanel Bragg, Director