The Wolves: A Play

Sarah DeLappe

49 pages 1-hour read

Sarah DeLappe

The Wolves: A Play

Fiction | Play | YA | Published in 2018

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

A 17-year-old midfielder who is highly intellectual and occasionally morbid. She comes from a family of therapists and frequently approaches world events with analytical detachment rather than emotional involvement. She acts as the team's resident source of trivia and global news, though her teammates do not always appreciate her factual corrections.

Key Relationships

Academically Respected by #00

Teased by #13

The 17-year-old defense player and captain of the Wolves. Because their official adult coach is frequently hungover or asleep, she assumes full responsibility for running practices and managing team conflicts. She is authoritative on the field and acts much older than her peers, though she exhibits more uncertainty in her personal life.

Key Relationships

Reluctantly Manages #46

Openly Defies #7

Growing Close to Louise Peterson

Subordinate to Coach Neil

A 16-year-old midfielder known for her wacky sense of humor and laid-back attitude. She frequently teases her teammates and brings a relaxed, irreverent energy to the group. She rarely takes their intense political or personal conversations seriously, preferring to deflect tension with jokes.

Key Relationships

Frequently Teases #8

Mocks the Family of #11

Pokes Fun at #2

A 16-year-old newcomer to the team who has been homeschooled and travels extensively with her mother. She lives in a yurt and struggles to integrate into the highly insular, established social circle of the soccer team. She is awkward but eager to connect, frequently missing social cues and team traditions.

Key Relationships

Captain of #25

Rudely Dismissed by #7

Cautiously Friendly with #00

A 16-year-old defense player who is exceptionally sheltered. She comes from a conservative, religious family and spends her free time knitting scarves for charity. She often takes things literally and struggles to keep up with the more mature banter of her teammates, relying heavily on strict moral codes.

Key Relationships

Former Best Friend of #14

Mocked by #7

Supported by #8

A 16-year-old striker who projects a rebellious attitude. She wears thick eyeliner, freely curses during practice, and constantly pushes the boundaries of the team's authority. She is aggressively confident, prides herself on her edgy lifestyle, and boasts about dating an older college student.

Key Relationships

Loyal Sidekick of #14

Openly Defies #25

Hostile toward #46

Frequently Bullies #2

A 16-year-old midfielder of Armenian descent. She acts as an insecure sidekick to the team's most rebellious player, frequently echoing her opinions and laughing at her jokes to maintain her social standing. She is eager to please and easily influenced by those she admires, often hiding her own lack of knowledge to fit in.

Key Relationships

Loyal Sidekick to #7

Former Best Friend of #2

Daughter of Soccer Mom

A 16-year-old defense player who actively tries to maintain a childlike innocence. She tends to view the world through rose-colored glasses, remembering trips to the circus rather than focusing on adult problems. She is highly sensitive to cruelty and prefers to keep conversations positive, actively avoiding discussions about disease or tragedy.

Key Relationships

Friend and Target of #13

Makes Assumptions about #14

Protects from Teasing #2

The 17-year-old goalie for the Wolves. She is a highly intelligent, intense perfectionist who suffers from severe performance anxiety. She barely speaks during practices, instead communicating through focused silence, and routinely vomits before every game due to stress. Despite her quiet demeanor, she holds strong moral convictions.

Key Relationships

Academically Respected by #11

Shares Rumors with #46

Supporting Characters

A dedicated parent who supports the soccer team. She participates in the typical suburban tradition of bringing orange slices for the girls to enjoy, fully defining herself by her role in supporting her child's athletic pursuits.

Key Relationships

Mother of #14

The adult coach of the indoor soccer team. He is highly ineffectual, often arriving hungover and occasionally falling asleep during team events. His lack of leadership forces the teenage girls to govern themselves.

Key Relationships

Relies on to Lead #25

A new student at the girls' high school who is known for her punk-rock aesthetic and alternative style. She becomes a frequent subject of gossip among the soccer team, standing entirely outside their athletic bubble.

Key Relationships

Close Friend of #25