Lincoln, Neb.--The Nebraska Repertory Theatre opens its season with Sarah DeLappe’s “The Wolves,” a fast-paced drama that follows a high school girls’ soccer team as its players navigate competition, identity, friendship and the challenges of adolescence.
Performances are Sept. 30-Oct. 11 in the Studio Theatre. For showtimes and ticket information, visit https://nebraskarep.org.
Set during the team’s pregame warmups, the tightly staged, 90-minute play unfolds through sharp, overlapping dialogue as the players prepare for competition and reveal the complexities of their lives on and off the field. “The Wolves” was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
“’The Wolves’ is a story that most of us can relate to—the journey of finding your place, your people, and navigating the challenges that come with growing up and finding yourself through it,” said Hattie Chavanu, a senior acting major from York, Nebraska, who plays #25.
Chavanu said she has a lot of love for her character, #25.
“She’s passionate, driven and works hard to do what she loves (soccer). As team captain, she has much to prove to her team and to herself, which, at times, can be heard,” she said. “One of my favorite parts about this show is the relationship dynamics between the girls, and through my character work, I’ve discovered #25 is fighting hard to find her place and trying to grasp what it means to lead a group of people she cares so much about.”
Brooke Desormeaux, a junior acting major from Lafayette, Louisiana, plays #13.
“#13 in the scrip itself is described as a stoner who is very into her wackiness,” Desormeaux said. “She’s a 16-year-old girl who truly doesn’t have it all figured out. She enjoys making the team laugh because it makes her feel good, so she will do anything to accomplish that. She can be problematic, at times, but she’s good-hearted, and we see that as the show goes on.”
Delaney McDermed, a senior acting major from Overland Park, Kansas, plays #2.
“She has a religious upbringing and strong moral code,” McDermed said. “She’s learning how to stand up for her beliefs and wants to help her teammates as much as she can.”
Jordan Gabrielson, a junior acting major from McAllen, Texas, plays #14.
“Number 14 is very much a skilled soccer player, but she has so much insecurity within her,” she said. “She is trying to figure out who she is and who she wants to become in one of the most critical times of her life.”
The production is directed by guest artist Katherine McGerr, who is associate professor in the Department of Drama at Syracuse University and a director, dramaturg and teaching artist.
“Katherine McGerr is exactly the kind of director needed for this production,” Desormeaux said. “She is so attentive to the characters in the show and all of the actors within it. She allows us to follow our instincts but also helps guide us in a way that makes this show truly special. She spent time during this rehearsal process getting to know each one of us, which, I think, has made this process truly unforgettable.”
Chavanu is also grateful for the opportunity to work with McGerr.
“She is an absolute joy to work with, and there has not been one day where I have not been excited to get to work,” she said. “Katie has made this such a collaborative experience and is constantly reassuring us as actors to trust our work and feed our impulses, which is such an exciting energy to have in a rehearsal room.”
Gabrielson said McGerr understands the play.
“It is really nice having a woman who is so passionate about women and women’s sports to be directing this show because she just gets it,” she said. “I have learned so much from her, and she is just a light in this world.”
Chavanu said the cast also had the opportunity to spend a rehearsal with members of the UNL Women’s Soccer team.
“They walked us through warmups, drills and gave us insight into the commitment it takes to be a student athlete,” she said. “As a cast and crew, we then took a night to watch such an amazing team and all went to support them at their game.”
Desormeaux said, “’The Wolves’ does a great job of capturing the complicated reality of being a woman in sports. While it can be empowering, it can also be challenging, competitive and extremely difficult. I hope this show makes people realize how important it is for young women to have these spaces. This show is about so much more than soccer—it’s about finding your place and belonging.”
Chavanu thinks the show will resonate with audiences.
“In the front cover of the script, there’s a beautiful quote that says, ‘We are always the same age inside.’ I think it is so important that audiences come to see this show because it emphasizes that no matter how young or old you are, we are all going through life together,” she said. “This show is in your face, it’s honest, and it’s tough, but the overarching lesson is absolutely powerful, and I think everyone should hear right now.”
Desormeaux said the play is different because of the way it’s written.
“There is something very normal and human about the way these girls interact with one another,” she said. “It may not always feel like you are watching a play. It may feel like you are watching real people exist in the space. I think the intimacy of being in the round will also heighten that feeling.”
Gabrielson said “The Wolves” is like nothing else you have seen.
“It is such an intimate setting, and it is very rooted in realism,” she said. “It makes you laugh, it tugs at your heart strings, it makes you question pretty much everything. And I think that is so beautiful.”
Desormeaux said the show is special to each of the cast, and that will come through to the audience.
“’The Wolves’ tells an important story about the complexity of growing up,” she said. “It’s vulnerable, vulgar and extremely raw, and I hope audiences will be deeply touched by it.”
