Theater Arts Productions

A Korean boy is ushered into a new house by his adopted American father. This new house belongs to an American boxer and her wife. American father un-adopts boy by a single signature on a piece of paper. But just before he leaves the new house, ex-father discovers that the new parents, to whom he has "re-homed" his ex-son, are a lesbian couple. American ex-father spends the rest of the play trying to get the boy back. In his corner is Ryan, the boxer's coach and her wife's brother. Ryan doesn't like the new Korean boy, who is a bit weird.

Wolf Play is a messy, funny, disturbing theatrical experience grappling with a wolf, a puppet and the very prickly problem of “What is a family, and what do we need from families today? Is it very different from what humans have needed from families before?”

Wolf Play premiered at several theatres in 2019 and 2020 as part of National New Play Network's rolling world premiere initiative. Premiere theatres included Artists Rep in Portland, Oregon (March 2019), The Gift Theatre in Chicago, Illinois (July 2019) and Company One Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts (February 2020).

A deeply resonant work from one of the American theater’s most complex new voices. – Chicago Tribune

“A gorgeous, devastating play.” – New York Sun

“Thrilling... portrays a traumatic situation, but with an antic disposition and a goofy heart... there’s a lightness here that chases away the shadows.” – The New York Times

“Both moving and metaphorically adroit... among the many complications of the play, the doubling of adult actor and child puppet is one that absolutely works.” – WBUR, Boston

“Great theatre... Jung is in a class of her own. She wields language like a poet. Her lyrical, precise script perfectly captures our best and worst natures. The play simultaneously celebrates our extraordinary capacity for love, exposes our nastiest inclinations toward selfishness, and admonishes the injustices of our social systems.” – Broadway World

“Mischievous... grips you with both its facts and its fictions. Jung’s play is based on grim real-life experiences; The fantastical touch of the puppet and the Wolf... lightens the experience with humor... pulling you in emotionally so the punches land when your guard is down.” – Vulture

 

Hansol Jung reads from Wolf Play

Scene from Wolf Play at The Gift Theatre

Phoenix Yuan '26 (Wolf). he/him. Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, Phoenix is thrilled to make his department debut as the Wolf. He has thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with the cast and production staff, with his favorite part of rehearsal being the puppetry lessons in preparation for this role. Phoenix's passion for puppetry runs deep; he's already hatching a plan to permanently "borrow" the puppet from Brandeis after the production concludes. His previous appearances in Brandeis student theater include As You Like It (Orlando), Hamlet (The Ghost) and Space Girl (Nancy).

Liza Heck '25 (Ash). they/she. Liza is a junior from Asheville, North Carolina majoring in Theater Arts and Psychology. Previously appearing as Daughter in Alone | Together, they're thrilled to be participating in their second Brandeis production! Some previous credits include, Jasper in Deadland (Hel, ensemble), As You Like It (Audrey), and red threading (AJ Karly). In collaboration with the company, they wrote and performed devised pieces: The Luxury of Silence, Time Enough, and Family Portrait. Most recently in their role as Artistic Director for Freeplay Theater Collective, they directed Duncan Macmillan's Lungs. Liza is so thankful to the cast and crew for making this such a wonderful experience!

Rachel Shpuntoff '26 (Robin). she/they. Rachel was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and is making her Brandeis mainstage production debut. In her time at Brandeis she has participated in student theater, appearing in Hurricane Diane (Carol) and Steel Magnolias (Clairee), assistant directing a production of Hamlet, and serving on the E-Board of Hold Thy Peace. She is majoring in Education Studies and pursuing an elementary teaching license. Rachel is enormously grateful to her partner, family, and friends for their love and support.

Matthew Magee '25 (Ryan). he/him. Matthew is from Dallas, Texas and is excited to be a part of his second Brandeis department show after appearing in Twelfth Night (Sea Captain/Priest) last fall. Before coming to Brandeis, he appeared in Romeo and Juliet (Lord Capulet). Matthew would like to thank his friends for their support and hopes you enjoy the show.

 

Sam Taxman '27 (Peter). Sam Taxman is a freshman from Milwaukee, WI and is proud to be making his Brandeis mainstage debut in Wolf Play. In high school Sam was very involved in the performing arts, with their favorite shows being The Theory Of Relativity (Paul) and Clue: On Stage (Wadsworth). During Sam’s senior year of high school he won a Jerry Award for outstanding supporting actor for their portrayal of the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Sam is honored to work with such a talented and hysterical cast, and is grateful for the Taxman family, as well as past and current directors. Enjoy the show!

Helen Ma '27 (Understudy Wolf). She/her. Helen is from Shenzhen, China and is participating in Wolf Play as the understudy of Wolf. Before coming to Brandeis, Helen appeared in Macbeth (Macbeth) and Bugsy Malone (Bugsy) with Basis International School Theatre. In Educational Theatre Association Competition-2022 Shenzhen, Helen won the 1st place in the Monologue Category, and won "The Best Characterization/Interplay" in the National Round. Helen is excited to be working on this production as her very first play in college.

Arushi Chokshi '27 (Understudy Robin, Understudy Ash). She/her. Arushi is from Irvine, California and is making her Brandeis mainstage production debut. She is thankful to her friends and family for their support.

 

Bio coming soon!

Some of the best ideas and moments I’ve ever put on stage came out of our team being silly— joking around and having fun. These natural impulses come from pure creativity, and through collaboration we discover more details that become uniquely our version of this story. We now get to welcome you, our audience, to celebrate with us the hard work we’ve put in.

When I first read Wolf Play, I was struck by the beautiful ways Hansol would make me laugh on one page, and cry on another. At the same time of reading (and even to this day), I felt my world around me pushing itself towards “normalcy”, being “better than before”, or just trying to survive. Collectively, we are figuring out how to exist in a post-COVID and more AI-driven era; the 2024 Presidential Election looms towards us like an incoming hailstorm, and though it may not be immediately visible to us, there are wars, global conflicts, and genocides taking place that affect us with confusion, rage, and sadness. And then there are the specific challenges and happenings we deal with in our individual daily lives. 

And so our Wolf Play invites us all to see the world like a child. Our set consists of giant building blocks and a blanket fort. Throughout the story, notice the toys, handmade materials (especially our puppet made out of H Mart bags and Korean newspapers), and silly sounds that come from each of our own childhoods and imaginations — jokes and ideas we made when we weren’t taking ourselves too seriously, but were 1000% true for our storytelling. When stressful situations surrounded us outside the rehearsal room, my goal as a director was to offer a playful and safe place where we could explore these unique characters and their real emotions together. It has been a privilege to play with the students and faculty of Brandeis, and to bring together this exquisite team of designers from across the country. I hope that you in the audience can play with us, too. 

-Sarah Shin

Sarah Shin (Director) She/her. Sarah Shin (she/her/hers) is a Schwenksville-raised, Boston-trained, Brooklyn-based, Queer Korean American director and theatre artist. Recent Directing: The Chinese Lady (Central Square Theater in partnership with Chuang Stage, Boston Globe Top 10 of 2022 Pick, 5 Elliot Norton Award Nominations), The Sitayana (or “How to Make an Exit”)(The Tank NYC), The First Pineapple and Other Folktales (Central Square Theater). Associate Credits: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Broadway, SDC Observer), The Wanderers (Roundabout Theatre Company), Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare & Company), Will You Come With Me (PlayCo), The (Diana) Oh Family Concert (Zanni Productions/PBS All Arts), Co-Founding Producing Director of Queer Asian Babes and Asian American Theatre Artists of Boston, Roundabout Directors Group Cohort 4 Member, A4 Virtual Resident Artist (2020-2021), Ma-Yi Writers Lab Resident Director, SDC Associate Membert!  BFA Theatre Arts Boston University www.sarah-shin.com IG: @shinnysarah

Payton Gunner (Stage Manager) She/her. Payton Gunner is a graduating senior and an Atlanta Posse Scholar at Brandeis University. This is her seventh production at Brandeis, having previously participated in many department shows including Spring Awakening, Stupid F##king Bird, and Twelfth Night. Payton most recently worked as a production assistant on two productions and assistant stage manager for The PickleBall Wars at the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater. This is Payton’s stage management senior thesis and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Qingan Zhang (Scenic Designer) She/Her. Qingan Zhang is excited to make her Brandeis production debut. Qingan is a multidisciplinary designer, producer, and deviser working mainly in New York and Boston. Qingan recently co-founded the non-profit interdisciplinary production company Cellunova Productions. Qingan’s selected scenic design credits: A Hunger Artist (2024, Lenfest Center for the Arts), The Fortune Teller (2023, Boston Center for the Arts), The Match Girl (2023, Chain Theatre), The Chinese Lady (2022, Central Square Theater). Her co-devising puppetry pieces have been showcased at New Ohio Theatre Ice Factory, Rattlestick Theater GFTF, HERE Arts Center SUBLETSERIES: CO-OP! and The Center at West Park Object Movement Festival. Qingan is also a collaborative photographer at The Black and White Gallery and her works have been recently selected by InFocus Photo Exhibition in Canada. qinganz.com

Bio Coming Soon!

Kai Bohlman (Sound Designer) they/them. Kai Bohlman, Boston-based Queer Audio Baddie, is just a human with an affinity for sound and sound adjacent things. They are very excited to be working on their first production with Brandeis. Recent designs include: The Manic Monologues with Moonbox Productions, Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches and Part 2: Perestroika (Co-produced with Bedlam), and The Chinese Lady (in partnership with Chuang Stage & Elliot Norton nominated) at Central Square Theater, and Emerson Stage’s NewFest: New Play Workshop production of The Loyals. Kai holds a BFA in Theater Design & Technology with a concentration in Sound Design from Emerson College.

Sandra Zhihan Jia (Costume Design) She/her. Sandra Zhihan Jia is an Asian-American theatre costume designer, recognized with an Elliot Norton nomination. She is an alumna of Boston University (MFA Theatre Costume Design '23) and the University of California, Irvine, Claire Trevor School of Arts (BA Drama '20'). She also holds a certificate for specialty makeup. Her theatre design credits include The Normal Heart at New Repertory Theatre, The Chinese Lady at Central Square Theatre, and Alcina at Boston University Opera Institution. Sandra is grateful for this experience to work as an invited designer for Brandeis University. For information at: Sandrazh.com

Sean Devare  (Puppetry Director/Puppet Designer) He/him. Sean Devare is a NYC-based multi-disciplinary designer, director, and performer. His passion for puppetry and international performance traditions and has brought him to India, Bali, Ecuador, and Sicily. His work in experimental puppetry has been featured at La MaMa ETC, KinoSaito, Dixon Place, and The Tank NYC. Past design and fabrication clients include The Public, Rockefeller Productions, Dark Tower Films, The Chase Brock Experience, INTAR Theatre, and CHUANG Stage. He was recently a resident artist and visiting faculty at Williams College. BFA Illustration, RISD; MFA Theatre, Sarah Lawrence. www.seandevare.com

Erika Bailey (Vocal Coach) she/her. Erika Bailey is the Head of Voice and Speech at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) and a faculty member at Harvard University. She has coached theater productions across the country and on Broadway. Previous Brandeis credits include Twelfth Night, Orlando and Stupid F*cking Bird. At A.R.T. she has coached 1776, Life of Pi, We Live in Cairo, and Endlings, among others. She has also worked with Nora Theater Company, Gloucester Stage Company, and Central Square Theater among others.  She holds a B.A. from Williams College and an MFA in Acting from Brandeis University. 

Dena Lawton (Boxing Consultant) She/Her/Hers. Dena is the head coach for the Brandeis Boxing Team, a USA Certified Boxing Coach and a trainer at Nonantum Boxing Club where she teaches classes and private lessons. Dena started boxing in 2010. She traveled and competed at the amateur level with a record of 8-2 which includes winning the Championship belt in the 2016 Ringside World Championships. She also volunteers her time preparing novice boxers for Haymakers for Hope, an organization that puts on boxing events to raise money for cancer research, awareness, survivorship and care. Dena is excited for the spring when she will be the head trainer for H4H/FC a free boxing program for cancer survivors teaching them the sweet science to continue their journey to health and their fight against cancer.

Kayleigh Kane (Intimacy Director) she/her/hers. Kayleigh Kane is a Boston-based intimacy professional and multi-disciplinary artist working in theater and film around New England, New York, and beyond. Select Intimacy Direction credits include Becoming a Man (American Repertory Theater), The Band’s Visit (Huntington Theatre Company), Angels in America Pt. 2: Perestroika (Central Square Theater/BEDLAM), Summer Stock (Goodspeed Musicals), Torch Song (Moonbox Productions), Rent (Umbrella Stage Company), and The Moors (Entropy Theatre). Kayleigh also works frequently with improv theaters and experimental ensembles, implementing intimacy tools and safety protocols for consent-based improvised contact and physical play. She holds a certification in Intimacy Direction from IDC. Learn more at kayleighkane.com.

*Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

Hannah Dillis (Prop Design) She/They. Hannah Dillis is a Boston-based Props Master & Fabricator for stage and screen. Recent credits include Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s Macbeth, Curtain Call Theatre’s Peter & the Starcatcher, Sideways Stories, and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Her work can be found at @CryptidProps on Instagram. Hannah would like to thank the Brandeis team for welcoming her aboard & would like to congratulate the cast and crew on a wonderful production.

Bio Coming Soon!

Tuong Vi Diane Thai (Assistant Stage Manager) She/Them. Tuong Vi Diane Thai recently graduated from Salem State University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Stage and Production Management. She is currently a graduate student at Salem State pursuing her Masters in Business Administration and teaching stage management to future theatre artists at Boston Arts Academy. Recent stage management credits include Memphis The Musical (The Strand Theatre), Love Valour Compassion (Zeitgeist Theatre Company), Our Story (OrigiNation Dance Company), OrigiNation Dance Recital (The Strand Theatre), Twist and Shout (Huntington Theatre), Top Girls (Salem State University), First Year Lab (Salem State University), Machinal (Salems State University), Vet’s Playwriting Festival (Salem State University 2021 - 2023 seasons) School For Lies (Salem State University) and The Fire Escape Plays (R.D.Murphy). Awards: Boston Arts Academy Honors in Theatre Arts (2019) and Boston Arts Academy Theatre Legacy Award (2019).

Olivia Hu (Assistant Stage Manager) she/her. Olivia is a sophomore from Xi'an, China, majoring in Business. This is her first time assistant stage managing a production. She is grateful to the entire team and the Brandeis Theater Department for all the support she received. Hope you enjoy the show!