Wolves At The Door

by Ali MacLean

Wolves At The Door, winner of the Julie Harris Award and finalist for the O'Neill Theatre Conference, is a story about a couple Grace and Gavin, who lost their daughter Lucy in a shooting where she was in the wrong place wrong time. The shooter, Marc, had returned to work to kill his co-worker in an ‘incel’ styled revenge plot. Lucy was at a dance class in the building next door and was collateral damage. While...

Wolves At The Door, winner of the Julie Harris Award and finalist for the O'Neill Theatre Conference, is a story about a couple Grace and Gavin, who lost their daughter Lucy in a shooting where she was in the wrong place wrong time. The shooter, Marc, had returned to work to kill his co-worker in an ‘incel’ styled revenge plot. Lucy was at a dance class in the building next door and was collateral damage. While grieving, Grace is bombarded by a stream of visitors, all who seem to want to exploit her in some manner. A Pastor wants her to convert and be the face of the ministry. A psychic wants her to connect with her daughter and be advertisement for her popular practice. A cop who was at the shooting wants absolution. Her ex-husband Mitch wants custody of half of his daughter’s ashes. Meanwhile Grace and Gavin grapple with the harassment of ‘hoaxers’ who don’t believe that Lucy is dead, and their own relationship woes, as one of them wants to heal and one isn’t ready to move on.

The play flips back and forth in time from the past as we see what set Marc on his path and as he gears up to exact his plan, and the present with Grace trying to come to terms with the aftermath.

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Wolves At The Door

Recommended by

  • Premiere Stages at Kean University: Wolves At The Door by Ali MacLean
    “

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Wolves At The Door as a Semi-Finalist for the 2025 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive process to become distinguished among 805 submissions. Our panel was impressed by the precise narrative of such unthinkable loss, and the introduction of each "wolf" presenting a new, unforeseen challenge in the couple's healing. Our congratulations and thanks to Ali.

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize Wolves At The Door as a Semi-Finalist for the 2025 Premiere Play Festival. The play rose through a competitive process to become distinguished among 805 submissions. Our panel was impressed by the precise narrative of such unthinkable loss, and the introduction of each "wolf" presenting a new, unforeseen challenge in the couple's healing. Our congratulations and thanks to Ali.

    ”
  • Michele Miller: Wolves At The Door by Ali MacLean
    “

    This play was on my reading list for a long time and I procrastinated reading it because I knew I would find it devastating for the topic of mass shooting alone. And I was right. But I also overwhelmed by the evocative writing and how well Ali MacLean was able to draw us into the hearts of these characters. The play not only shows us the obvious horror of this appalling and unnatural death but the horrible and inhumane aftermath. As these parents are grieving they must deal with a deluge of others who reach out to them for their

    This play was on my reading list for a long time and I procrastinated reading it because I knew I would find it devastating for the topic of mass shooting alone. And I was right. But I also overwhelmed by the evocative writing and how well Ali MacLean was able to draw us into the hearts of these characters. The play not only shows us the obvious horror of this appalling and unnatural death but the horrible and inhumane aftermath. As these parents are grieving they must deal with a deluge of others who reach out to them for their

    ”
  • Franky D. Gonzalez: Wolves At The Door by Ali MacLean
    “

    An intense, heart-wrenching look at the aftermath of gun violence that reminds you that tragedy continues long after the tragic event. Ali MacLean creates a play that will fill you with outrage, empathy, sadness, and eventual hope. A moving and beautiful play that speaks humanity into an issue that's devolved into impersonal partisan bickering.

    An intense, heart-wrenching look at the aftermath of gun violence that reminds you that tragedy continues long after the tragic event. Ali MacLean creates a play that will fill you with outrage, empathy, sadness, and eventual hope. A moving and beautiful play that speaks humanity into an issue that's devolved into impersonal partisan bickering.

    ”
View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

Cast can be limited to 7 by doubling: Jennings/Rick/Mitch and Officer McCoy/Pastor Conway/Maurice
Rayanne is girl of 7 or 8 but can be played by a young adult or teen who plays young.

  • Grace
    Smart, tough, Chicagoan. Improved her station in life and now lives on the rich side of town. Married to Gavin. Shattered by the death of her daughter. Mired in grief and guilt.
    30s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Gavin
    Well to do, witty, devoted second husband to Grace. Would move mountains to keep family intact.
    40s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Mitch
    blue collar, alcoholic, Chicagoan. Gun enthusiast. Whiff of violence about him. Ex-husband of Grace. Vulnerable about the loss of his daughter.
    30s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Marc
    The guy in the office you wouldn't notice until it's too late. A quiet, simmering rage underneath his faux polite demeanor. Hyper-intelligent and self-entitled.
    20s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Lydia
    An older woman, a psychic who hasn't crossed into full-blown Bella Donna Gypsy territory but is close. She uses her profession for full effect.
    60s
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Pastor Conway
    a pious and devoted man
    50s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Officer McCoy
    A by-the-book Chicago cop trying to mask his PTSD.
    50s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Jennings
    A morally conflicted public defender.
    40s
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Rick
    Mid-level management. Likes that he has subordinates. A Bro. Loves CrossFit and deadlifting. Jovial but a bit obnoxious. Probably partied too hard in college but managed to land on his feet with the help from others.
    30s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Maurice
    Father to Rayanne. From Memphis. A kind-hearted man. Owns an Antique shop. Eternally grateful to Grace for donating Lucy's organs.
    50s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Rayanne
    A young girl. Heart transplant recipient. A bit shy. Likes purple and ice skating.
    7-9
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, Theatre 40 / Beverly Hills Theatre Guild, 2023
  • Reading, Ensemble Studio Theatre Winterfest Festival, 2019

Awards

  • Creede Headwater Play Festival
    Finalist
    2021
  • Julie Harris Playwriting Award
    Beverly Hills Theatre Guild
    Winner
    2020
  • New American Voices Playwriting Festival
    The Landing Theatre Company
    Semi-Finalist
    2020