“Wolf Play” by Hansol Jung kicks off our fall 2026 production season and runs for a single week at UB, from October 2 – 4, 2026. Tickets are $10-$25, plus fees: https://www.ticketmaster.com/search?q=into+the+woods+ub+center+for+the+arts

“Wolf Play” centers on Jeenu, a young Korean boy whose life is upended when his adoptive father, Peter, arranges for him to live with Robin and her spouse, Ash. After learning more about Jeenu's new home, Peter begins to question the decision and seeks to reinsert himself into the child's life. As Jeenu navigates this transition, his thoughts, fears, and instincts are voiced through Wolf, a theatrical figure who serves as both storyteller and embodiment of the boy's inner world.

Through a blend of humor, heightened theatricality, and emotional drama, the play examines what it means to belong to a family. As Ash, a devoted boxer, develops a deep connection with Jeenu, conflicts arise among the adults over responsibility, love, and parental rights. The story ultimately explores identity, attachment, and the often-complicated ways people seek connection, security, and acceptance.

Ty Burgess (they/he) is an actor and playwright based in the Buffalo area and a junior pursuing a BFA in Acting at the University at Buffalo. Their recent credits include "Macbeth" (Macbeth), “Urinetown” (Hot Blades Harry), “The Pajama Game” (Vernon Hines), and Shakespeare Showcase (Co-Director). As a playwright and theatre artist, Ty is passionate about creating new works, queer performance and devised theatre. Upcoming projects include the premiere of their original play, “Chrysalis” in the second half of the Theatre and Dance 2026-2027 production season. 

For people who are unfamiliar with “Wolf Play,” how would you introduce both the play and your character, Ash?

“Wolf Play” is a memory play from the perspective of a trans-national adoptee named Jeenu who develops a wolf persona to deal with the events of his custody struggle in his youth. This play explores the trauma that is adoption, the legality of family and displacement of identity. Ash is a nonbinary lesbian boxer in their mid-twenties making their debut when Jeenu comes into their life unexpectedly and they have to navigate what it means to be a parent.

What misconceptions might audiences have about Ash?

I think the misconceptions audiences will have about Ash are very similar to the misconceptions other characters in this play have about Ash. A good example of what I am talking about is how Ash is referred to in the play: “Wife” and “Mom.” These words don’t fit Ash, but with all of the chaos of raising a child and making a debut as a pro boxer, Ash doesn’t feel that there is a way to navigate that yet. Some audiences may relate to the uncomfortable shifting of relationships as you grow into a gender identity. Some may not, but I encourage everyone to empathize with the feelings of isolation that come with not being seen by loved ones because it is relevant to many characters in this play.

Does Ash see themself as a parent from the beginning, or does that develop over time? What do you think motivates Ash throughout the story?

Ash does not initially see themself as a parent and, in my interpretation, doesn’t know it is an option for them until a child arrives on their doorstep. There are a lot of wants that Ash cannot put words to yet due to the lack of inclusiveness for their queer identity within this play. For Ash, Jeenu brings into the question their queer futurity as well as their legacy that they did not see as a possibility before. Ash is a character who wants to do it all and be the “world champion of everything” but we can see in the play when their motivations shift from their career to their parenthood. They are motivated by people trying to make them choose and their refusal to be categorized. They are a parent and a boxer and a spouse and a growing adult. And though mistakes will be made, they will try to be the best at it all.

The play seems to explore what makes a family beyond biology or legal definitions. How does Ash fit into that conversation?

Ash is such an interesting character related to this theme because we often don’t see a trans perspective in conversations of family. In the transgender and queer community, we have a sense of “found family” between us due to the hardships that we face. There is a culture of taking in those in need and accepting them as your family due to shared experiences. This is why it is only natural for Ash to welcome Jeenu into their home because they most likely know what it is like to have a strained, or no, relationship with parental figures. They know what it is like to be called the wrong name or to not have the words to express themselves yet. This connection between them is as real a family as either has probably ever experienced, but they still are not recognized in the eyes of the heteronormative legal systems.

Ash is a boxer, a role often associated with toughness. How does the play complicate that image and how do you balance Ash's strength and vulnerability?

Ash’s role as a boxer bleeds into how they act in everyday life. A lot of the scenes read like a boxing bout with words instead of fists. It is so interesting because you can always tell when the knockout is in these scenes because one person walks away metaphorically beaten. Every character in this play is defending themselves from all angles, so when there is a moment of vulnerability, it is either very dangerous or very intimate for the character. Ash knows that when they leave an opening, they get hit, so it is hard for them to not see that vulnerability as weakness. What ultimately brings this vulnerability out is their adopted son, Jeenu. This is because Jeenu and Ash understand each other’s experiences in a different way than either has felt before. Whether it be not having the words to express yourself, being an outsider in your own home, or being looked at as something you're not, these similarities make both of them feel seen, which is a vulnerable feeling.

The play deals with some very heavy themes, but audiences also mention its dark humor. Do you feel that there are comedic elements, and if so, how does comedy help to tell this story?

The comedy highlights the absurdity of the situation or beliefs that characters hold. We discussed in rehearsals about how Peter, Jeenu’s homophobic adopted father, is so obsessed with masculinity that he develops a homosocial relationship with Ryan, Robin’s brother. Occasionally, I will find myself laughing at their interactions because it points out the hypocritical nature of the queerphobic beliefs that many people share with Peter.

As an actor, you have a great ability to engage with emotionally complex material. Were there scenes that proved more emotionally demanding than you expected? Or conversely, were there scenes that were not as difficult as expected?

The final scene was difficult for me because of the Brechtian nature of the show. There is no catharsis for the audience or character, which can be difficult to deal with, but immensely important. You want everyone to make up for their mistakes and for everyone to be redeemed, but a big part of this play is the fact that life goes on outside of the theatre, mistakes like these people make happen all over the world, and how do we as people outside of the story deal with this?

What has this production taught you personally?

Through exploring where Ash’s identity lies, I have learned a lot about myself as well. In preparation for this role, I read the book, “Stone Butch Blues” by Leslie Feinberg (which has a cameo in the show!) and I reconnected to the deep history of my queer ancestry. This play has given me a deeper connection to my community and reminded me of a family I had forgotten I have. This family is closer than I ever expected as I get to work in a room with many other transgender and queer voices and I am so fulfilled by the fact that we can come together to make our voices heard.

Is there anything else you would like potential patrons to know about the show?

Bring tissues and a belly full of laughs. We are so excited to have you in the space with us, and I hope you enjoy “Wolf Play!”