By Crystal Hayduk
Chelsea High School (CHS) Theatre Guild is back on stage this spring with “She Kills Monsters,” a play filled with fantasy, action, dark comedy, and a lot of heart.
“She Kills Monsters” (SKM) is the story of an average high school student, Agnes, who has spent the last year grieving the sudden death of her geeky younger sister, Tilly. Agnes finds Tilly’s notebook, a homespun Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) module, on the anniversary of Tilly’s death.
In an effort to finally get to know the little sister she often ignored, Agnes plunges deep into the world of D&D. Reality and fantasy collide as Agnes journeys on an exploration of self-expression and identity. Can she kill the most important monsters of all?
Paige Conway, CHS Theatre Guild’s producer, said this performance of SKM is the Young Adventurers Edition, a version of the original play written especially for high school age groups.
“We’ve spent several seasons now doing shows for different age groups—for parents and grandparents, and for young children when we made the radio shows during the pandemic,” she said. “But it’s been several years since we’ve done a show that was about teenagers, for teenagers. I wanted to give this group an opportunity to really enjoy that. Also, this show deals with bullying and grief, specifically in regards to identity, and that is ever-apparent in our society today. This script has given our company something to sink into that isn’t just all slap-stick comedy. It has real heart, and I hope everyone can walk away from [the show] thinking a little differently than they did when they walked in.”
Because the play was written for teens, Conway said it has “some strong language,” similar to that found in a PG movie. It also contains fight scenes or moments of violence like those seen in a D&D style video game. “It’s not gory, but some families may not find it suitable for young children,” she said.
Twelfth-grader Katelyn Hackett, who has been involved in the guild since starting high school, credits the arts as an important way students express themselves, develop relationships with others, and grow through building an epic performance. Her favorite thing about SKM is that it’s a “funny tale about dungeons, dragons and other geeky things while it also explores grief through the eyes of a teenage girl.”
Seniors Shawna Chester and Melody Stone have enjoyed growing as actors through learning stage combat for the production. “I’ve never gotten to work with swords…or [learned] so many different ways to fight before,” said Stone.
All three students agree that SKM is an exciting, impressive show. Chester said there are times when the audience will be tempted to jump on stage and join the fun, but also has “moments that make you want to bawl your eyes out.”
Stone said the play is big, exciting, and fun, but at the same time, examines deeper messages than what the guild has worked with in the past.
Junior Oscar Carvallo summed up the show: “It’s a very beautiful and emotional story and there are swords. Win-win.”
At a glance:
“She Kills Monsters,” written by Qui Nguyen, an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, debuted in 2011. It is presented at CHS by arrangement with Concord Theatricals, on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
Artistic direction by Paige Conway; technical direction by Rachael Nardecchia.
SKM runs April 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. at the George Prinzing Auditorium in the Washington Street Education Center, 500 Washington St. The show runs for 90 minutes with no intermission.
Tickets will be sold at the door for $10/adults and $5/students; cash or check only. There is general seating on a first-come basis.
In accordance with Chelsea School District guidelines, masks are not required. However, it is recommended and encouraged for audience members to wear masks for their safety and for the safety of the performers and crew members.
SKM is recommended for ages teens through adult. Please visit https://www.chstheatreguild.com/tickets for full content disclosure information.
