Perpich Arts High School Theater Ensemble Presents Angela Carter’s “Company of Wolves”

December 15, 2025

The Perpich Arts High School Theater Ensemble presented Angela Carter’s “Company of Wolves” over a three-show run December 11-12, 2025. The devised ensemble theater piece was a provocative reinvention of the fairy tale of “Little Red Riding Hood”. Unraveling a feverish metaphor for the blossoming of a young girl’s sexuality and her subsequent loss of innocence, the play entwined symbolism and metaphor using imaginative staging, evocative soundscapes, and theatrical puppetry to bring Angela Carter’s gripping folktale to life. The audiences were entranced with stories of beasts who hunger for blood and darkness, prowling the edges of the forest path, waiting for victims on an innocent journey to grandmother’s house. Congratulations to all involved with the show!

Ruth Civettini (Musical Theater 2026) in “Company of Wolves”

The actors reflected on the experience after the performances:

• Audrey Tuite (Musical Theater 2026): “This was a very physically and technically demanding show, and we could not have done it without the support and work of Tory [Peterson], Sandy [Agustin] (our movement coach), the three dancers who did lights/sound/projections (Adrianna [Dvorak], Miyah [James], and Simone [Ueland]), Alex [Clark] (our lighting designer), and the students in Tory’s visual storytelling class who made many of the props (shoutout to Kyung [Park] for spending hours on creating the massive and complex wolf head!). This show went through a lot of changes, which were very important in ensuring that it told the story we wanted it to tell – how girls are treated and raised in our society and how they can reclaim their own power.”
• Ailee Bartz (Musical Theater 2026): “It was interesting to work on this show, as we learned about story theater and the skills, techniques, and mechanics behind it, and I’ve never really done story theater before. It was also fun to work with such a wonderful cast and get to share lots of good moments with them!”
• Ruth Civettini (Musical Theater 2026): “This show has been a wonderful learning experience for myself and the entire cast. The ability to adapt and create as a group is one of the most valuable tools an actor can have.”
• Cynthia L. Morton (Musical Theater 2027): “As a new student to Perpich, I really enjoyed working with each and everyone of my ensemble members on this show, but my goodness, my knees hurt<3”
• Shea Rice (Theater 2027): “I really enjoyed this new learning experience with everybody. Even when things got rocky, we still all came to make our show happen.”

Geo Stevens (Musical Theater 2027) (left) and Natalie Campbell (Musical Theater 2026) (right) in “Company of Wolves”

Tory Peterson, Theater Instructor, commented that “it was great to work with such an unselfish ensemble.” He also shared,  in the show’s program, that “theater productions at Perpich are curricular-based and developed using specific theater structures, which further the students’ understanding of acting and expand their artistic toolbox within theater. The program teaches collaboration as its core. Everyone in the room is a creator, not just a performer. The process often blends different forms, like movement techniques, music, multimedia art, and performance. Stories and themes shift and grow as the ensemble works together.”

In her weekly newsletter, Rebecca Bullen, Perpich Arts High School Principal, praised the ensemble. “We end the week celebrating the Theater Ensemble and the courage, creativity, depth, and thoughtfulness brought to the stage by our students. Last night’s opening of ‘Company of Wolves’ was a reminder of what young artists are capable of when given the space and education to step into challenging material. Our students showed thoughtfulness and creativity as they navigated their transformation of contemporary culture,” said Bullen. “With their instructor, Tory Peterson, they co-created a learning space that encourages exploration, risk-taking, and collective expression. They explored identity and transformation and held space for each other through difficult themes. We are fortunate to have a space that embraces relevant and challenging topics, and that our students are encouraged to dig deep into content, history, and present day issues. Approached with taking risks, writing, and rewriting, this work is an example of artistic exploration and amazing ensemble work. I am proud of the ensemble and Tory Peterson.”

Cynthia L. Morton (Musical Theater 2027) (front center) in “Company of Wolves”

“The Company of Wolves” is a short story by Angela Carter from her 1979 collection, “The Bloody Chamber”. It’s a feminist retelling of “Little Red Riding Hood”, which focuses on the protagonist’s burgeoning sexuality and her confrontation with a wolf, who is simultaneously a handsome huntsman. Carter’s story uses the narrative to explore the blurred line between human and animalistic nature, the fear and danger women face, and the female experience of entering womanhood.