ETSU Theatre presents ‘The Wolves’

Under the bright lights of the Bert C. Bach Theatre, a team of young women prepare for battle. And not just against an opposing team. They are fighting the challenges of growing up.

East Tennessee State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance is presenting “The Wolves,” a deeply human production that takes audiences inside the world of a high school girls soccer team as they stretch, strategize and navigate life’s pressures with intensity and heart.

Performances take place Thursday-Saturday, March 6-8, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. in the Bach Theatre at the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts.

Written by Sarah DeLappe, critics have praised “The Wolves” for its raw honesty and authentic portrayal of adolescence. “The Wolves” was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.  

More Than a Game 

For director Cara Harker, the production is as much about connection as it is competition.

“What’s so wonderful about the Bert C. Bach Theatre is its flexibility. For this production, we wanted to transform the black box theatre into an indoor soccer arena,” said Harker, who is also a professor and the associate chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance.

To bring authenticity to the production, the team brought in Ashton Blair, ETSU Women’s Soccer goalie from 2020-2024 and the 2023 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, as an athletic consultant. Blair has worked with the cast from day one, helping them step into the world of competitive soccer with confidence and skill.

“We started off by training like real athletes,” said student performer Katie Thorpe. “We had several early morning soccer practices that helped us get into the athlete mentality while also teaching us more about what it means to be part of a team. At rehearsals, we did a ton of ensemble work that consisted of running lines, soccer drills, and working the intricate blocking and stretches within the scenes.”

Harker added: “I grew up playing soccer and never thought my two passions, theatre and soccer, would come together in this way. The dedication from student performers, designers and crew has been outstanding, and I can't wait for audiences to see it.” 

A Unique Ensemble

For Rebekah Williams, a senior theatre major, this production is particularly meaningful.

“This show is an important one for me, not only because it is my last show here as a student at ETSU, but because I am ending it with two other students that I started with – Savannah Spangler and Kyla Jernigan,” Williams said. “We all started on a Cara Harker show, and now we all get to end it together on a Cara Harker show. I just think that is really special.”

She also noted the production’s dynamic ensemble structure, where every character plays an integral role.

“This performance excites me because this show is truly an ensemble show. No part is bigger than the other, so you really get to know all of these girls and exactly what living their lives is like,” Williams said.

A Story of Strength

At its core, “The Wolves” is about resilience, the unspoken bonds between teammates and the raw intensity of coming of age in a world filled with both possibility and uncertainty.

Tickets for “The Wolves” are available now.  

Buy tickets here or call (423) 439-2787 for more information. For disability accommodations, please call Disability Services at least five days before the event at (423) 439-8346.

Note that the production contains explicit language and mature themes.

“I believe ‘The Wolves’ is a beautiful testament to girlhood and the importance of finding your identity, and there are some really special moments amidst the comedic and fast paced nature of the show,” said Thorpe. “I’m excited for audiences to experience it.”