Cast of “The Wolves”, presented by NextStop Theatre. Photo courtesy NextStop Theatre
Pulitzer Prize-nominated play about the lives of suburban high school girls who are soccer players is next up for NextStop Theatre. It is “The Wolves” by Sarah DeLappe. “The Wolves” takes the audience inside a world inhabited by young women at their daily soccer warm-ups. “It is a moving and beautifully written work of art,” said Evan Hoffmann, NextStop, Producing Artistic Director.
NextStop has taken an unusual step in casting. “We wanted to cast high school students/young women in this show because this show is a very honest and affecting look at high school students/young women,” said Hoffmann. “It just seemed like the most accurate way to tell this story” was through casting high school students from the “exceptional young actresses” in the local area.
“Patrons should come to the production because these young women are going to give amazing performances. They should come because this story helps provide tremendous insight into the kinds of things going on in the hearts and minds of young women throughout our community.”
“The Wolves” is set on a field as nine soccer players do their pregame warm-ups and get to know one another. The dialogue among the characters is fast, overlapping and unembellished. The young women talk about ordinary teenage topics and on worldly torments far removed from their protected community.
Extensive auditions were held to cast “The Wolves” ensemble. The cast includes: Caroline Coleman, Urbana HS; Dominique Kalunga, South Lakes HS; Vivian Lemons, Oakton HS; Jordan Hundley, Chantilly HS; Teryn Cuozzo, Tuscarora HS; Jordan James, Robinson HS; Makayla Collins, Annandale HS; Maya Tischler, Oakton HS; Rachel Lipetz, Marshall HS along with understudies Ella Stammera, Woodson HS; Naomi Bertah, Justice HS and Kylie Miller, Metropolitan School of the Arts. Kathryn Chase Bryer, directing the production, “is not aware of another professional theater using real teen age high school girls as actors for ‘The Wolves.’”
“’The Wolves’ is touching and moving. I was blown away by the exciting script; it is beautifully crafted, highly theatrical, raw, and yet 100 percent familiar and real,” noted Bryer. “The play is not just about teenage girls and forming a soccer team. It is about the broader culture as well. We all want to know who we are and connect to other people.”
“The Wolves is about “issues that real teenagers are aware of and dealing with every day,” added Hoffmann inviting audiences to the production.
Audience Advisory: “The Wolves” offers an uncensored peek into the lives of teenage girls, which includes mature language and pointed discussion of topics like alcohol, sexuality and abortion.
Where and When
NextStop Theatre presents “The Wolves” at 269 Sunset Park Drive (inside Sunset Park Business Park), Herndon. Performances Feb. 7 to 24, 2019. Thursday, Feb 7 and 21 at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb 8, 15, 22 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb 9 at 7 p.m., Feb 16 at 8 p.m. Feb 23 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday, Feb 10 at 2 p.m., Feb 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Feb 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets: General Admission: $35-$60 (NextStop encourages booking in advance. Ticket prices increase as performances get nearer and fill up). Call 866-811-4111 or visit: www.NextStopTheatre.org
Audience Advisory: “The Wolves” offers an uncensored peek into the lives of teenage girls, which includes mature language and pointed discussion of topics like alcohol, sexuality and abortion.