Production Quick Links: About the Production | Amplifying Action | Related Events | About the Team | Photos and Lobby Experience | Press
PAST PRODUCTION | SEASON 21
Wolf Play
by Hansol Jung
directed by Summer L. Williams
in partnership with the Boston Public Library
Jan 30 - Feb 29, 2020
Rabb Hall @ Boston Public Library
Central Branch in Copley Square
All tickets are Pay-What-You-Want, with $0 minimum!
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
iiiiiiin this corner, we have southpaw boxer Ash, who’s on the verge of her pro debut when her wife Robin adopts a Korean boy off the internet without technically checking in with Ash first. Aaaaaaaaand in this corner, we have the boy’s first pair of adoptive parents, who were all set to unadopt him until they realized he’d be growing up… without a dad. Now, the boy is caught in the middle, and just wants to find his wolfpack.
Hansol Jung’s WOLF PLAY is a deeply theatrical hunt for familial connection in the wilds of 21st century America.
Press and Buzz
Recommended for ages 14 and up.
This production includes adult language and potentially difficult subject matter.
Producing Partners
Program notes by Ilana M Brownstein and Elena Morris. For reprinting permissions, or more information, please contact info@companyone.org
To cite these program notes:
Brownstein, Ilana & Elena Morris. Program Notes for Company One Theatre, Wolf Play. Hansol Jung, playwright. Jan 30-Feb 29, 2020. Accessed [include your access date here]. URL https://companyone.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/S21_WolfPlay_Program_Web.pdf.
AMPLIFYING ACTION
Company One Theatre is producing
Wolf Play to AMPLIFY:
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that every child deserves love and a fighting chance to heal from personal and cultural trauma
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the many ways people become family, and the extreme lengths they may go to protect the pack
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the tools needed to navigate the thin dividing line between vulnerability and violence
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local efforts to support the lived experiences of transracial and transnational adoptees
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accessible theatre that opens conversations for all, thanks to Pay-What-You-Want ticketing and the support of the Boston Public Library
Connectivity Partners
RESOURCES & ACTION STEPS
- Connectivity should prepare the list of resources and action steps as we approach opening night. Be sure to check in with them to see if they need support!
- Since that list will likely come after the production page launches, we usually include this placeholder text:
- Check back closer to the production for a list of resources and action steps!
PARTNER EVENTS & CONVERSATIONS
Thursday, Jan 9
Studio Session
Director Summer L. Williams rehearsing a scene with the cast at Pao Arts Center
Sunday, Feb 9
Post-Show Conversation
with playwright Hansol Jung
Thursday, Feb 20
Post-Show Conversation
with puppetry director Roxanna Myhrum and dramaturg Ilana M. Brownstein
Sunday, Feb 23
Post-Show Conversation
with Angelica Emery-Fertitta and Jennifer Turner of The Trauma Center / Trauma-Sensitive Yoga division at Boston’s Justice Resource Institute
ABOUT THE TEAM
CAST
Inés de la Cruz
Robin
Minh-Anh Day
Wolf
Tonasia Jones
Ash
Adrian Peguero
Ryan
Greg Maraio*
Peter
PLAYWRIGHT AND PRODUCTION TEAM
Hansol Jung, Playwright
Summer L. Williams, Director
Ilana M. Brownstein, Dramaturg
Jasmine Brooks, Assistant Director
Elena Morris, Assistant Dramaturg
Janie E. Howland, Scenic Designer
Karly Foster, Costume Designer
Kat C. Zhou, Lighting Designer
Matt Otto, Sound Designer
Roxie Myhrum, Puppetry Director
Amanda Gibson, Puppetry Designer & Builder
Jessica Scout Malone, Fight Choreographer
Kimberleigh A. Hollman, Boxing Consultant
Jason Ries, Properties Designer
Kayla Norton, Stage Manager
Miranda McLean, Assistant Stage Manager
Jake Mariño, Assistant Stage Manager
Jessica Pfau, Technical Director
Patrick Bedell, Master Electrician
Bella Tasha, Sound Board Operator
BIOS
Inés is a Boston based actor. Recent credits include: THIS PLACE/DISPLACED (Artists’ Theatre of Boston), YO SOY LOLA, THE NARRATIVE: RECLAIMED, WRESTLING WITH FREEDOM III (Our Place Theatre Project). She has been an active member of Escena Latina Teatro, and has served as production manager, director, and actor since 2006. Ines has performed in various TC Squared Theatre Company productions. You can catch Inés as Catalina De La Cruz in the comedic web series, THE PINEAPPLE DIARIES.
Minh-Anh Day he/himCompany One debut! Previous theater credits include PERICLES (title role), MACBETH, TWELFTH NIGHT (Stanford Shakespeare Company), GNIT (Stanford Theater Lab, also director), LIFE IS A DREAM (Stanford Theater Department), and WINNIE THE POOH (Wheelock Family Theatre). Film: Soñadora, Raspberry, Free Guy (starring Ryan Reynolds). His plays have been workshopped by the Actors’ Shakespeare Project and the Komm Collective. Education: NTI and Stanford University. http://www.minhanhday.com
Tonasia Jones she/herCompany One Debut! Recent Theatrical Credits: THREE MUSKETEERS (Madam de Treville) with Greater Boston Stage Company, WITH GLITTERING EYES (Coral) with Hibernian Hall, FOR COLORED GIRLS (Lady in Purple) with Praxis Stage, FINISH LINE (Lee Ann Yanni) with Boston Theater Company, DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP (Martha) with Fresh Ink Theater Company, FULL TERM (Chrissy) with Artist’s Theatre of Boston, MOTHER HICKS (Alma & Ensemble), and LOVE OF THE NIGHTINGALE (Niobe) with EMERSON STAGE. Staged Reading & Workshop credits: UNTITLED PLAY ABOUT MEASUREMENT (Nidia) and COMMON GROUND (Ensemble) with Huntington Theater, THE RIOT PLAY (Game Master) with ArtsEmerson, DIASPORA (Sunny) with Speakeasy Stage Company, THE CAVE (Yevi) with Huntington Theater, THE LAST CATASTROPHIST (Marina) with Company One, and QUEEN OF SAD MISCHANCE (Kym) with New Repertory Theatre. She holds a BFA in Acting from Emerson College.
Adrian Peguero he/himAdrian (He/Him/His) is elated to return to Company One! Previous credits include: MISS YOU LIKE HELL (Company One Theatre), THIS PLACE/DISPLACED (Artists’ Theatre of Boston), and OTHELLO (New Repertory Theatre’s Classic Rep Company)
Greg Maraio* he/himGreg is thrilled to returning to Company One after appearing in COLOSSAL, SPLENDOR, THE GOOD NEGRO, THE GIBSON GIRL, MR. MARMALADE, and THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT. Recent acting credits include SIGNIFICANT OTHER (IRNE nomination), CASA VALENTINA (IRNE and Elliot Norton nominations), and NECESSARY MONSTERS with SpeakEasy Stage; THE BOOK CLUB PLAY, BRAWLER (IRNE nomination), and FAITHLESS with Boston Playwrights’ Theatre; LES LIASONS DANGEREUESES with Central Square Theater. A Boston native, Greg has also worked with many local companies including the Huntington, New Rep, Zeitgeist Stage, Bad Habit, Theatre on Fire and Merrimack Rep. He received his BFA from Lesley University where he studied acting with Anne Pluto. *Member of Actor’s Equity Association
Hansol JungHansol Jung is a playwright and director from South Korea. Plays include Among the Dead (Ma-Yi Theatre), Cardboard Piano (Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville), No More Sad Things (co-world premiere at Sideshow Theatre, Chicago and Boise Contemporary Theatre), Wolf Play, and Wild Goose Dreams. Commissions from Playwrights Horizons, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation grant with Ma-Yi Theatre and a translation of Romeo and Juliet for Play On! at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Her work has been developed at the Royal Court (London), New York Theatre Workshop, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, O’Neill Conference, Sundance Theatre Lab, Lark Play Development Center, Salt Lake Acting Company, Boston Court Theatre, Bushwick Starr, Asia Society New York, and Seven Devils Playwright Conference. She is the recipient of the P73 Playwright Fellowship at Page 73 Productions, Rita Goldberg Playwrights’ Workshop Fellowship at the Lark, 2050 Fellowship at New York Theater Workshop, MacDowell Colony Artist Residency, and International Playwrights Residency at Royal Court (London). Her plays have received the Paul Stephen Lim Playwriting Award (Among the Dead), Honorable Mention from the 2014 Arch and Bruce Brown Playwriting Competition (Cardboard Piano), and was named 2014 finalist for the Ruby Prize (No More Sad Things). She has translated over thirty English musicals into Korean, including Evita, Dracula, Spamalot, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, while working on several award winning musical theatre productions as director, lyricist and translator in Seoul, South Korea. Jung holds a Playwriting MFA from Yale School of Drama, and is a proud member of the Ma-Yi Theatre Writers Lab.
Summer L. Williams she/herSummer L. Williams is an award-winning director and Co-Founder/Associate Artistic Director of Company One Theatre in Boston. Her most recent directing credits include Jump by Charly Evon Simpson at Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, MD, can i touch it?, a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere by Francisca Da Silvera at Company One Theatre, sandblasted by Charly Evon Simpson with Vineyard Theatre and WP Theater, Off-Broadway.
Local/Regional credits: The Arboretum Experience at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T), Daddy Issues at Salt Lake City Acting Company New Play Sounding Series, the Digital World Premiere of Downtown Crossing at Company One Theatre, Wolf Play at Company One Theatre, School Girls, or The African Mean Girls Play at SpeakEasy Stage Company, Miss You Like Hell with Company One Theatre and OBERON at American Repertory Theater, the World Premiere of Leftovers at Company One Theatre, Wig Out! with Company One and OBERON at A.R.T.; Smart People at Kitchen Theatre Company in Ithaca, NY and Geva Theater in Rochester, NY; Barbecue at Lyric Stage Company of Boston—Winner of the 2018 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director; Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. at Company One Theatre; Bootycandy at SpeakEasy Stage Company; An Octoroon and Colossal with Company One Theatre—Winner of the 2016 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director for both productions. Intimate Apparel at Lyric Stage Company of Boston; Shiv as a part of The Displaced Hindu Gods Trilogy; Shelter of Last Resort by Miranda Craigwell as a part of XX PlayLab 2014; the New England Premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s We Are Proud To Present A Presentation About The Herero Of Namibia, Formerly Known As Southwest Africa From The German Sudwestafrika Between The Years 1884-1915; Idris Goodwin’s How We Got On; Lynn Nottage’s By The Way, Meet Vera Stark at the Lyric Stage Company of Boston; The Brothers Size and Marcus; Or The Secret Of Sweet as part of The Brother/Sister Plays (2012 Elliot Norton Award nominated for Outstanding Production and winner of the 2012 IRNE Award for Best Play); Neighbors, Grimm; The Good Negro; Voyeurs De Venus (Winner of 2009 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director); The Bluest Eye (IRNE and Elliot Norton Award nominated); The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot; Spell #7 (IRNE nominated); Jesus Hopped The A Train (2004 Elliot Norton Award for Best Fringe Production); and Twilight: Los Angeles 1992 (IRNE nominated).
Ilana M. Brownstein she/herIlana M. Brownstein is the Director of New Work at C1, and a parent-artist specializing in new plays, social justice, and public advocacy. She is the Founding Dramaturg at Playwrights’ Commons. Previously, she created the Playwriting Fellows program and Breaking Ground Festival at The Huntington; led the dramatic literature and dramaturgy curriculum at Boston University for 10 years; and has served as a freelance dramaturg for new play festivals, including The O’Neill, New Harmony, and the Kennedy Center among others. Dramaturgy with C1 includes works by Kirsten Greenidge, Jackie Sibblies Drury, Young Jean Lee, Aditi Kapil, Natsu Onoda Power, Lauren Yee, Mia Chung, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Josh Wilder, Kristoffer Diaz, A. Rey Pamatmat, Qui Nguyen, and Idris Goodwin. She is the senior dramaturg for the C1 PlayLab program, which has provided script and professional development to 60+ playwrights over 11 seasons. She is a member of the 2019 NAS Creative Community Fellows Cohort, artEquity’s 2017 anti-racism facilitator cohort, and holds an MFA in Dramaturgy from Yale. Ilana has been a Kilroys nominator, served on the National Advisory Board for HowlRound, and is a two-time winner of the LMDA Elliott Hayes Award for excellence in dramaturgy. imbturgy.wordpress.com
Jasmine BrooksJasmine is Boston-based director and producer. She has previously worked at Company One Theatre as the Artistic Associate and NNPN Producer in Residence. as a director and producer. She holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University, School of Theatre. Her work has been centered on being a fierce advocate for marginalized communities and celebrating black joy. As a freelance director, she has worked at Fresh Ink Theatre Company, Open Theatre Project, Sparkhaven Theatre Company and many more. She loves collaborating with playwrights and developing new work. Along with representation of marginalized communities on stage, storytelling with comedy is her jam and central to who she is. Issa Rae is inspiration for representation of hilarious, fierce black women in her TV show Insecure. Her dream is to bring that type of representation of black women in theatre.
Elena MorrisElena Morris (she/her) is a Boston-based dramaturg, actor, and director passionate about all things new work. She currently serves as the Patron Services Manager for ArtsBoston and previously as the Artistic Associate at New Repertory Theatre. Elena holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University, focusing her studies on dramatic literature and movement. As a theatre educator, she has worked with students at Central Square Theatre, the Boston University Summer Theatre Institute, and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.
Janie E. HowlandCompany One credits: HOW WE GOT ON. Recent designs: EUREKA DAY (Interact Theater, PA), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and THANKSGIVING PLAY (Lyric Stage), Other venues: NYCDA, Lynn Redgrave Theatre(NY), Tennessee Williams Festival (Provincetown), Mass MOCA, Odyssey Opera, Harvard Univ., ASP, Moonbox Productions, New Rep, Weston Playhouse (VT), Boston Children’s Theatre, Central Square Theatre, Speakeasy Stage Company, Ohio Star Theatre (OH), Merrimack Repertory Theatre, New Jersey Shakespeare Festival (NJ), 4 time Elliot Norton Award winner, 4 time IRNE Award winner; Local 829. www.janiehowland.com
Karly FosterKarly (she/her/hers) studies Theater and Psychology at Bridgewater State University where she has costume designed HAND TO GOD, THE SWAN, and masks for CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS. She has assistant costume designed for SKIN OF OUR TEETH at BSU and LEFTOVERS here at Company One. She has also presented to the education and costume commissions at USITT. She is excited to be back and working with everyone at Company One Theatre!
Kat C. ZhouKat is a lighting designer and third year MFA candidate at Boston University. She is pleased to be making her Company ONE debut on this production of WOLF PLAY. Recent design credits include MARIE & ROSETTA, THE BOOK CLUB PLAY, THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN, and RUNAWAYS. She also serves as the artist-in-residence at the Signet Society. For more information about her work, please visit katzhoudesign.com.
Matt OttoPatron of the Arts, Nollywood Dreams, Esai’s Table and King Lear – Cherry Lane (NYC), Abigail’s Party, Muswell Hill, Thing with Feathers, Enemy of the People – Barrow Group (NYC), Arden Everywhere/As You Like It LDK Productions (NYC), Triggered, Stained – The Amoralists (NYC), Cadaver of Synod – New York Musical Festival (NYC), Empathitrax – Colt Couer (NYC), Regional: Our Town and Love Labour’s Lost – Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (NY) Macbeth, Neil Gwynn, and Timon of Athens, Folger Theater, (DC), Fly, Alabama Shakespeare Festival (AL), James and the Giant Peach – Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, (OK), Stone Cold Dead Serious and Vibrator Play – Brown/Trinity Rep (RI), Stones in His Pockets – Yale Rep (CT), Johnny Meister and the Stitch – Solas Nua (DC and Helen Hayes Award nomination.) Matt received his MFA from the Yale School of Drama and his BFA from Boston University. To hear some of his work please go to www.mattotto.co
Roxie MyhrumRoxanna Myhrum is thrilled to be returning to Company One after previously working on SHE KILLS MONSTERS and SHOCKHEADED PETER. Boston area credits include puppetry direction at SpeakEasy Stage, the Huntington Theatre Company, the Lyric Stage Company, and Wheelock Family Theatre, among others. Roxanna is the Artistic Director at Puppet Showplace Theater, where she directs an internationally-recognized new works development program and curates a year-round series of performances and workshops for all ages. Come play!
Amanda GibsonAmanda Gibson creates puppets, masks, props, miniatures and dioramas for theater, music video, and cosplay. She has worked on a variety of large-scale puppetry productions, including “The Midnight Zoo,” “Loss of Breath”, and “The Unicorn, The Gorgon, and The Manticore.” Her characters have ranged from giant backpack and stilt puppets to small hand puppets and marionettes. She has a BFA in Illustration from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
Jessica Scout MaloneJessica Scout Malone (she/her) is a dramaturg at Company One and a Boston-based fight choreographer. Whether working with playwrights, actors, or creative teams, her focus is always on building confidence and fostering joy. Her work can be seen with companies like Anthem Theatre, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, Brown/Trinity Rep, Sparkhaven Theatre, and New Repertory Theatre. She is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) and currently training with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC). Jess holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University. jessicascoutmalone.com
Kimberleigh A. HollmanKimberleigh A. Holman is an Artistic Director of Luminarium Dance, an interdisciplinary artist, and an amateur boxer. Her work as an artist gravitates to the exploration of human social interaction and behavior, both real and fictitious, miniscule instances or broad patterns, through comedic, dark, sensory or abstract narrative. Since founding Luminarium in 2010 with Merli V. Guerra, Kimberleigh has shown work at venues such as the Museum of Fine Arts, mobius, OBERON and in many more New England spaces. Holman got her start as a boxer with Haymakers for Hope, a charity organization literally fighting back against cancer. For more information about Holman’s work, please visit kaholman.com.
Jason RiesJason is delighted to return to Company One having previously served on artistic teams for 1001 (props), WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT… (set) and the IRNE & Norton Awarded THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY (set). Having designed lights and sets locally for ASP (TWELFTH NIGHT, TAMING OF THE SHREW, HENRY V) and Monkeyhouse monkeyhouselovesme.com (AGAINST THE ODDS, Æ), he got his start as Resident Designer at EXITheatre in San Francisco from ’97-‘04, collaborating regularly with Mark Jackson, David Malloy, and Banana, Bag & Bodice.
Kayla NortonKayla Norton graduated with a BFA in Stage Management from Salem State University. Recent management credits include DON’T FEED THE BEAR (Brown Box Theatre Project), POISON OF CHOICE (Salem State University), BROADWAY JUKEBOX (Brown Box Theatre Project), MACBETH (Salem State University). Recent ASM credits include SCHOOL GIRLS: OR THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY (Speakeasy Stage Company), THE BOOK CLUB (Boston Playwrights Theatre).
Miranda McLeanRecent credits include: ADMISSIONS, CHOIR BOY, ONCE, BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY (SpeakEasy Stage Co), BECOMING DR. RUTH (New Rep). Miranda is also a proud employee of Broadway in Boston. She holds a BS from Emmanuel College.
Jake MariñoJake is very excited to be working with Company One once again for WOLF PLAY. Jake is a graduate of Suffolk University (BA Theatre, ’18). Previous assistant stage management credits include GREATER GOOD (w/ Company One!); NAT TURNER IN JERUSALEM (Actors’ Shakespeare Project); and NOT MEDEA and THE NETHER (Flat Earth Theatre). Stage management credits include ONE STATE, TWO STATE, RED STATE, BLUE STATE (Suffolk University); A GOOD DEATH (AKA Theatre); and WAITING FOR WAITING FOR GODOT (Hub Theatre Company).
Jessica PfauJessica Pfau, a Missouri native, graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in Theatre Design and Technology. Afterward, she moved to Boston where she most recently worked as the Master Carpenter for Boston Lyric Opera. She has worked at several summer stocks around the country, including Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre and Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Arts Camp in Michigan. She is very excited to be working on her first production with Company One.
Patrick BedellPatrick Bedell has been doing theatrical and concert electrician work for the past 13 years as well as lighting design for the past 10 years. He has recently been working at NBC Boston prepping three brand new studios. Some recent shows that he designed include MATILDA THE MUSICAL, BUDDY, THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, and SISTER ACT.
Bella TashaThis full section should be edited on the back end text fields, with one exception:
If we are working with an equity actor or a union designer, be sure to include the following in this section (and the symbol beside their names):
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
^ Member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
Photos by Andrew James Wang.
Click each thumbnail to enlarge.
LOBBY EXPERIENCE
Audience members had the opportunity to respond to two questions on our lobby response board:
– What thoughts, feelings, and questions are you left with about the play?
– What does your “inner wolf” look like? What do they protect you from?
Click each thumbnail to enlarge.
PRESS & BUZZ
February 4, 2020: Children Are People: “Wolf Play” by Kitty Drexel, The New England Theatre Geek
“A great piece of art... This is a play that can speak to audiences long after this production has closed. Its message is timely and universal.”
February 12, 2020: MORE ONSTAGE NOW: WOLF PLAY/DETROIT RED by Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices
“A play our clamorous world needs now.”
February 13, 2020: ‘Wolf Play’ explores adoption, champions accessible theater by Celina Colby, The Bay State Banner
“A beautiful piece of work.”
February 20, 2020: The Boston Globe Critics Picks by Don Aucoin, The Boston Globe
“Hansol Jung’s moving and inventively on-point play is directed by Summer L. Williams with her usual deft touch.”
February 20, 2020: Arts This Week: ‘Boston’s Apollo,’ ‘She the People’ And ‘Wolf Play’ by Jared Bowen, WGBH
“Riveting… A testament to the enduring originality of Company One Theatre.”
February 24, 2020: BWW Review: WOLF PLAY at Company One Theatre by Andrew Child, Broadway World Boston
“Boston’s first must-see show of the year.”