This term, UW’s theatre and performance program is staging a production of She Kills Monsters, a play written by Qui Nguyen and directed by David Leyshon. With performances scheduled to take place from Nov. 21 to 25, students involved in the production have been hard at work rehearsing, creating costumes, and set-building. Imprint spoke to a few students for a glimpse at what’s to come.
She Kills Monsters originally premiered in 2011 and tells the story of Agnes Evans, a young woman working to process the loss of her parents and teenage sister, Tilly, who died in a car accident. After finding Tilly’s Dungeons and Dragons notebook, Agnes begins to forge a connection with her sister that she realizes she’d never made prior to her death. As she sinks deeper into an unfamiliar world of battles, spells, and monsters, Agnes — with the help of her and Tilly’s friends — discovers more about her sister than she ever knew.
Those involved in the production were eager to speak about the excitement the crew has felt in creating a large-scale show, which includes 19 fight scenes and relies heavily on dance choreography.
“The fight choreography for this show is definitely intense in the best way,” Jacqueline Meldrum, one of the actors, said of the rehearsal process. “Stage combat requires immense trust and teamwork. The cast has a wonderful sense of camaraderie that gives the fights a really dynamic quality.”
Meldrum added that fight director Daniel Levinson, fight captain Quinn, and Michelle Lewis, who helps to set the fights, have been “invaluable resource[s]” in helping the cast prepare.
“It’s been such a joy working with this group of people so far,” Meldrum continued. “[The show] deals with content that isn’t always the easiest or happiest, and everyone is extremely supportive of each other and very dedicated to the work. It’s very meaningful to be a part of.”
Though often taking place within the mythical and action-packed world of Dungeons and Dragons, She Kills Monsters is a show that, at its heart, is concerned with grief, identity, and the discoveries made amid tragedy.
Eloise Fan, the show’s stage manager and a fourth-year theatre and performance/environment double major, said the show depicts “trying to get past your own inner monsters.” The humourous script, powerful visuals, and Dungeons and Dragons connection all create entry points for exploring deeper themes in an entertaining manner.
“It’s a big production visually, but this serves as a vehicle to convey deeper themes,” Fan said.
“It feels wonderful to be part of a piece like this that’s about queerness, female family dynamics, and [which] really explores women and girls as three-dimensional and central story figures and shows that Queer people can look and be any way,” Meldrum said of the show’s themes.
As for the production process, Meldrum also spoke about the joy of being involved in some of the behind-the-scenes efforts, such as creating a tail for their character, Lilith.
Fan, for whom the production also serves as a capstone course, has been involved in the rehearsals that take place three times a week, as well as the weekly production meetings. Fan said that the team has been working to structure the production “[in] as much of a professional capacity as possible.”
Another aspect of the production will be the dramaturgy space, which Fan spoke about as an aspect of capstone courses. Audiences are invited to arrive at the venue 15 minutes early to engage with activities related to the production (the nature of which will be announced closer to performance dates).
For those looking to become involved with the theatre and performance program or simply engage in more drama-related activities across campus, Fan outlined several options open to UW students. Within the theatre and performance program, several intro-level courses are available to students from any faculty, and Fan mentioned that a performance creation minor can be added to one’s degree. As for being part of larger productions like She Kills Monsters, it’s not necessary to be in the theatre and performance program.
“Anyone is welcome to audition,” Fan said, and added that students from other faculties are involved in this term’s production.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit the UW communication arts webpage.
