Teamwork from Stadium Lights to the Stage: The Wolves at The Gladstone

 

Sport is the world’s greatest connector. People from all over the world tune in to watch their country face off during the FIFA World Cup, the Winter Olympics, and more international sporting events. On the ice, field, or pitch –a team can come together, or fall apart, making for dramatic highs and even lower lows.

As my high school drama teacher, Mr. Scott Sprague, once said, “Sport in itself is the truest form of performance.”And that is exactly what is seen onstage at Theatre Kraken’s production of The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe. The Wolves follows a soccer team of the same name, made up of nine sixteen to seventeen-year-oldgirls, as they navigate not only the pitch, but their personal development, complicated social lives and future ambitions. Led by #25 on defense, the Captain (Meg Sutton), acts as the replacement Coach (as he’s always hungover, as discussed by the girls) and tries to hustle her teammates to compete at their best. #2 (Chelsey Cowan) and #8 (Jordan Quayle) make up the defense, a charming yet innocent pair of sixteen-year olds who are less “mature” then their highly developed teammates. #13 (Olivia Piercey) and #11 (Kelsey Rideout) cover the midfield, girls who are striving to be more advanced then they truly are.

As striker, #7 (TaraPeterson) plays her heart out, and being almost seventeen, is much more experienced then the other girls, and never wastes a second in which she could mention it. The goalie, #0(Robin Hodge), is an overachiever with intense performance anxiety, and seeksto find her voice. Finally, on the bench, is the new girl, #46(Kiara Côté), who just wants to be accepted.

This team has played together their whole life, and as they move to their young adulthood, they (SAY THIS SOCIAL MICROCOSIM IS) faced with more than they ALL could have ever imagined.

Directed by Krista Marchand, The Wolves takes a seemingly simple concept, a soccer team, and turns it on its head. Staged at The Gladstone, the audience is welcomed to an intriguing set, designed and constructed by Don Fox, Steve Giard, Graham Price, Brenda Solman, and Rachel Warton. The bare stage is covered with AstroTurf, a bag of soccer balls, and a set of water bottles, all monogramed with the team’s logo. The set, or lack thereof, creates the perfect environment for the Wolves to make their mark.

As the lights come up, a flurry of red socks and shinpads fly across the pitch, as the team enters for their first practice. Filling the air with dialogue, the girls have two overlapping conversations which are woven together through fast, lyrical exchanges that replicate their quick movements. These simultaneous conversations occur throughout the show, all while the girls conduct drills such as stretching,lunges, and laps. Marchand carefully crafts her actors to be both athletes and artists. Even though none of the characters have names, each of the actors is fully committed to her role, offering insight into the hearts and minds of these high school girls.

The team members build eachother up and tear each other down just as fast, and the tension between the girls explodes as they face very real challenges, whether they be personal or collective. Every conversation, no matter how seemingly meaningless, carries a heightened sense of importance, as the actors bring the life to the written word. By doing so, the characters feel real and therefore, when they share memories with each other, the audience becomesa part of their collective experience

Theatre Kraken’s production of The Wolves brings beauty to tough situations, and by doing so, gives sixteen and seventeen-year-old girls a voice. By allowing young women to express themselves, both through their passion and love for the game, and through their sense of community. Both on and off the field, the Wolves are truly a pack, with deep, personal connections to each other and the game that they love so much. As one of the girls say, “teamwork makes the dream work, you know?” The Wolvessucceeds in speaking the truth of young women, and through their stories, the audience is invited to join the team

.The Wolves by Sarah DelappeStaged at The Gladstone Theatre, produced by Theatre Kraken

Cast#00 –Robin Hodge#2 –Chelsey Cowan#7 –Tara Paterson#8 –Jordan Quayle#11 –Kelsey Rideout #13 –Olivia Piercey#14 –Hayley Kirsh#25 –Meg Sutton#46 –Kiara Côté

Soccer Mom –Diane CôtéProduction StaffDirector –Krista MarchandStage Manager –Rachel WortonProducer –Don FexAssistant Stage Manager –Emily GendronGraphic

Designer –Eric SchallenbergLighting Designer –Graham PriceProps Designer –Jennifer BarkleySet Designer –Don FexSound Designer –Don FexSponsors: LIVE! on Elgin, OmNovos