Festival Theatre Special Events
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The Wolves
By Sarah DeLappe CRITIC'S PICK! “The scary, exhilarating brightness of raw adolescence emanates from every scene of this uncannily assured first play by Sarah DeLappe.” – The New York Times 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. July 11th-14th A Staged Reading *Suggested for ages 17+ |
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Brooke-Erin Smith, Director
Brooke-Erin Smith (she/her) is an Atlanta-based theatre artist who has worked around
the country with theaters in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and beyond. She is thrilled
to be directing SCFT’s staged reading of The Wolves this summer! As a director, she has
worked with PlayGround-Chicago, Whiskey Radio Hour, Authenticity Theatre, and
Festival, where she last directed 2021’s staged reading of Red by John Logan. You can
see more of what she’s been up to on her website at brookeerinsmith.com!
Brooke-Erin Smith (she/her) is an Atlanta-based theatre artist who has worked around
the country with theaters in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and beyond. She is thrilled
to be directing SCFT’s staged reading of The Wolves this summer! As a director, she has
worked with PlayGround-Chicago, Whiskey Radio Hour, Authenticity Theatre, and
Festival, where she last directed 2021’s staged reading of Red by John Logan. You can
see more of what she’s been up to on her website at brookeerinsmith.com!
A Note From The Director
Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves opens with Gertrude Stein’s quote, “We are always the same age inside.” This has to be true because right now, I am 12 years old and I’ve just been cut from the middle school basketball team. I’m trying not to cry in my homeroom class. But I’m also 16, and I’ve torn my ACL playing volleyball. As I recuperate from surgery, my dad brings me gatorade and saltine crackers in bed. I don’t know it yet, but he’ll be dead three months later. I’m also 22, and I’m scared because I have no idea what to do with the theatre degree that has cost me way too much money. I spend what little cash I have left on a copy of The Wolves, a play that has just been published. And I am also 29, and I’ve returned to my home at Festival Theatre after three years away to direct the staged reading of one of my favorite plays of all time with an enormously talented cast of fearless young actors who are also all still 12 and 16 and possibly 22 (if they’ve made it that far yet) on the inside.
The Wolves is a script that fully encompasses the breadth of experiences that accompany coming-of-age: establishing a sense of identity, discovering the intricacies of status and class, accepting greater responsibilities, experiencing loss and grief for the first time. Playwright Sarah DeLappe, when speaking about the impetus of the play, said, “I wanted the characters to exist only as members of the team on the turf. This is the only place where they are athletes, first and foremost. I was interested in creating a world where teenage girls could define themselves, as opposed to being defined by parents or boyfriends or the male gaze...” In my opinion, there has never been a script that so clearly and totally portrays the experience of growing up in the 21st century.
It is my hope that, as you experience this script read to you live by an exceptionally talented group of actors, you allow yourself to be 16 or 17 again. You are fighting to impress your friends. You are playing a new sport. You are experiencing love and loss and fury and sadness and intense joy for maybe the first time. After all, you are still just 16 or 17 years old. We’re always the same age inside.
The Wolves is a script that fully encompasses the breadth of experiences that accompany coming-of-age: establishing a sense of identity, discovering the intricacies of status and class, accepting greater responsibilities, experiencing loss and grief for the first time. Playwright Sarah DeLappe, when speaking about the impetus of the play, said, “I wanted the characters to exist only as members of the team on the turf. This is the only place where they are athletes, first and foremost. I was interested in creating a world where teenage girls could define themselves, as opposed to being defined by parents or boyfriends or the male gaze...” In my opinion, there has never been a script that so clearly and totally portrays the experience of growing up in the 21st century.
It is my hope that, as you experience this script read to you live by an exceptionally talented group of actors, you allow yourself to be 16 or 17 again. You are fighting to impress your friends. You are playing a new sport. You are experiencing love and loss and fury and sadness and intense joy for maybe the first time. After all, you are still just 16 or 17 years old. We’re always the same age inside.
Cast
Willow Stone, #00
Willow Stone is thrilled to be returning to Festival Theatre in The Wolves. They were last seen onstage as an Oompa Loompa in Festival Theatre’s production of Willy Wonka; and worked behind the scenes as the stage manager for Twelve Angry Jurors.
Willow Stone is thrilled to be returning to Festival Theatre in The Wolves. They were last seen onstage as an Oompa Loompa in Festival Theatre’s production of Willy Wonka; and worked behind the scenes as the stage manager for Twelve Angry Jurors.
Patricia León de la Barra Gómez, #2
Patricia León de la Barra is from Caracas, Venezuela, and so very excited to perform at St. Croix Falls Festival Theatre. Currently attending university for Psychology and Theatre Arts, Patricia has had the privilege of being in Marquette Theatre’s production of The Servant of Two Masters as Beatrice Rasponi and All in The Timing as Mrs. Trotsky. She hopes to have an amazing summer working alongside lovely people! She would also like to thank her friends and family, who are all spread across the globe, for their continued love and support.
Patricia León de la Barra is from Caracas, Venezuela, and so very excited to perform at St. Croix Falls Festival Theatre. Currently attending university for Psychology and Theatre Arts, Patricia has had the privilege of being in Marquette Theatre’s production of The Servant of Two Masters as Beatrice Rasponi and All in The Timing as Mrs. Trotsky. She hopes to have an amazing summer working alongside lovely people! She would also like to thank her friends and family, who are all spread across the globe, for their continued love and support.
Quinnie Rodman, #7
Quinnie Rodman is an actor and theater educator from Boulder, Colorado. Originally from Iowa, Rodman received her BAE in Vocal Music Education from St. Ambrose University in 2023. Festival Theatre audiences may recognize her from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling (Shwartzy) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Peter Quince/Mustardseed). Quinnie is stoked to be returning to Festival Theatre as a guest artist and the summer Arts Education director!
Quinnie Rodman is an actor and theater educator from Boulder, Colorado. Originally from Iowa, Rodman received her BAE in Vocal Music Education from St. Ambrose University in 2023. Festival Theatre audiences may recognize her from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling (Shwartzy) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Peter Quince/Mustardseed). Quinnie is stoked to be returning to Festival Theatre as a guest artist and the summer Arts Education director!
Lindsey Fry, #8
Lindsey is excited to be back on the Festival Theatre stage. In 2023, Lindsey graduated from Luther College with degrees in Theatre Arts and Visual Communication. Since graduating, Lindsey has been seen on stage with The Barter Theatre (Abingdon VA), Melancholics Anonymous (Minneapolis MN), and Festival Theatre. Lindsey would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support!
Lindsey is excited to be back on the Festival Theatre stage. In 2023, Lindsey graduated from Luther College with degrees in Theatre Arts and Visual Communication. Since graduating, Lindsey has been seen on stage with The Barter Theatre (Abingdon VA), Melancholics Anonymous (Minneapolis MN), and Festival Theatre. Lindsey would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support!
Beth Siegling, #11
Beth Siegling is thrilled to be spending the summer in beautiful St. Croix Falls for such a spectacular season! Beth holds a BA in Theatre Arts and Gender Studies from Mount Holyoke College, and is honored to be telling such powerful women-centered stories at SCFT. Previous credits include: Woman 2 in Songs for a New World (Northern Lakes Arts Association), Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Lucy in Bright Star, Hotel Hooker in Violet (Playmakers Rep), Frenchy in Grease (Great Plains Theatre), touring with the National Theatre for Children, working as a resident Metaperformer at Shadowbox Live, and three regional productions of Godspell (Bless the Lord, Learn Your Lessons Well). She sends love and gratitude to all of the people who have always believed in her. Find out more at bethsieglingofficial.com
Beth Siegling is thrilled to be spending the summer in beautiful St. Croix Falls for such a spectacular season! Beth holds a BA in Theatre Arts and Gender Studies from Mount Holyoke College, and is honored to be telling such powerful women-centered stories at SCFT. Previous credits include: Woman 2 in Songs for a New World (Northern Lakes Arts Association), Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Lucy in Bright Star, Hotel Hooker in Violet (Playmakers Rep), Frenchy in Grease (Great Plains Theatre), touring with the National Theatre for Children, working as a resident Metaperformer at Shadowbox Live, and three regional productions of Godspell (Bless the Lord, Learn Your Lessons Well). She sends love and gratitude to all of the people who have always believed in her. Find out more at bethsieglingofficial.com
Mary Margaret Hughes, #13
Mary Margaret Hughes (She/Her) is a recent graduate of Belmont University with a BFA in Theatre Performance. She appeared in several productions at Belmont, including the roles of Carolyn Addison in Blue Stockings, Williamina Fleming in Silent Sky, and Maggie Mundy in Act 1 of Dancing at Lughnasa. She played Banquo and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, during her time on their Classical Acting Short Course. She is very excited to be a part of Festival Theatre’s summer season!
Mary Margaret Hughes (She/Her) is a recent graduate of Belmont University with a BFA in Theatre Performance. She appeared in several productions at Belmont, including the roles of Carolyn Addison in Blue Stockings, Williamina Fleming in Silent Sky, and Maggie Mundy in Act 1 of Dancing at Lughnasa. She played Banquo and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, during her time on their Classical Acting Short Course. She is very excited to be a part of Festival Theatre’s summer season!
Tatiana Robledo, #14
Tatiana Robledo is a recent graduate of the University of Evansville where she played Dotty in Noises Off, Natasha in Three Sisters, and Escalus in Measure for Measure. Her most recent project was her senior Capstone, a comedic noir starring her, some puppets and her childhood Barbies. She is a Houston native and very excited to return to the midwest and join a new family of theatremakers as a performer, educator and assistant stage manager. She would like to thank her family for all of their support
Tatiana Robledo is a recent graduate of the University of Evansville where she played Dotty in Noises Off, Natasha in Three Sisters, and Escalus in Measure for Measure. Her most recent project was her senior Capstone, a comedic noir starring her, some puppets and her childhood Barbies. She is a Houston native and very excited to return to the midwest and join a new family of theatremakers as a performer, educator and assistant stage manager. She would like to thank her family for all of their support
Bailey Mattner, #25
Bailey graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in May of 2023. She is originally from Kenosha, WI, but has spent the last nine months performing, teaching, and touring as an actor-educator for CLIMB theatre in the Twin Cities. Some of her favorite roles have been Gingy in Love, Loss, and What I Wore and Celeste #2/Elaine in Sunday in the Park with George. She is very excited to be a part of St. Croix Festival Theatre’s summer season!
Bailey graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in May of 2023. She is originally from Kenosha, WI, but has spent the last nine months performing, teaching, and touring as an actor-educator for CLIMB theatre in the Twin Cities. Some of her favorite roles have been Gingy in Love, Loss, and What I Wore and Celeste #2/Elaine in Sunday in the Park with George. She is very excited to be a part of St. Croix Festival Theatre’s summer season!
Brecken Styles, #46
Brecken Styles is so excited to be back home in the St. Croix Valley this summer! She just graduated with her BFA in Musical Theater and BA in Spanish from Southeast Missouri State University and will be headed to Michigan State University in the fall to study law. She wishes everyone days filled with romance books, Wisconsin sunshine, and wildflowers. Huge thanks to her family and this community for their love and constant support!
Brecken Styles is so excited to be back home in the St. Croix Valley this summer! She just graduated with her BFA in Musical Theater and BA in Spanish from Southeast Missouri State University and will be headed to Michigan State University in the fall to study law. She wishes everyone days filled with romance books, Wisconsin sunshine, and wildflowers. Huge thanks to her family and this community for their love and constant support!
Jen Stone, Soccer Mom
Jennifer Stone most recently performed as Juror #5 in Twelve Angry Jurors, and Mrs. Beauregard in Willy Wonka. She will be seen this summer as Soccer Mom in The Wolves, and Effy in The Spifire Grill. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
Jennifer Stone most recently performed as Juror #5 in Twelve Angry Jurors, and Mrs. Beauregard in Willy Wonka. She will be seen this summer as Soccer Mom in The Wolves, and Effy in The Spifire Grill. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
Crew
Stage Manager/Lighting Design - Isaac Bont
Scenic Design/Sound Design - Brooke-Erin Smith
Scenic Construction- Walter Lab
Scenic Design/Sound Design - Brooke-Erin Smith
Scenic Construction- Walter Lab