Student-led Production Premieres This Week

The Wolves, premiering on February 13th, 2020, is a portrait of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for nine American girls who just want to score some goals. Taking place on artificial turf in the Cousins Studio Theatre in Modlin, four University of Richmond seniors worked to bring Sarah DeLappe’s play, a 2017 Pulitzer Prize Finalist, to campus through a Productions Studies III capstone project. 

A part of the Department of Theatre and Dance, Production Studies III is the final installment of the Production Studies program. Students who have reached this level in the department embark on a yearlong task of producing a play. It showcases the skills they acquired in the 3 years prior. 

This production is entirely student-led from start to finish with the guidance of faculty mentors. María Acosta (Theatre), Ally Charleston (Interdisciplinary Studies, Creative Engagement), Shanna Gerlach (Psychology and Theatre) and Nai'lah Rowe (Theatre) began this process by reading 8 plays, debating the strengths and weaknesses of each, choosing one, then pitching desired roles. 

Shanna Gerlach, Set and Sound Designer, said “Our primary criteria for choosing a play was one that focused on the core of the human experience; was thought-provoking for our audience; felt special and personally resonated with each of us; would be challenging and allow creativity in its design and direction; and had a cast that could reflect our demographics and create opportunities to build community in our department. The Wolves checks off each of these characteristics for us.” 

For the group, the experience required a large amount of initiative, creativity, and collaboration. While each member had very specific roles in the process, working as a cohesive team was paramount to creating a unified concept. 

“It is as hilarious as it is beautiful, genuine, and heartbreaking, as these girls create and test the limits of their group's community,” remarks Gerlach. 

Event details:
February 13-15, 2020 at 7:30pm and February 15-16 at 2pm | Cousins Studio Theatre in Modlin
Tickets are free but going quickly. Reserve your ticket through the box office or online. Additional rush tickets will be released 5-10 minutes before each performance.