M-A’s Advanced Drama class opened its production of “She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition” this past week in C-16.
The play was arranged with the audience chairs around the edges of the room in a curved formation while actors performed just a few feet away. Black curtains, a projected backdrop, and colored lighting shaped each scene. Additionally, there were movie posters displayed such as “Hocus Pocus,” “The Goonies,” “The Princess Bride,” and many more. Nineties music, including “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey and “Wanna Be” by the Spice Girls played in the background that reinforced the play’s setting.
The show was directed by junior Gracie Johnson. Johnson took on the position after the class voted on which play to perform. Johnson and drama teacher Danette Bathauer operated lighting and sound from the back of the room. The cast rehearsed for about three months, beginning in September. “There’s an insane Google Sheet doc that looks chaotic. Decisions were made by the cast as a whole,” Johnson said.
“She Kills Monsters” follows high schooler Agnes Evans, played by sophomore Talia Hairston as she discovers her late sister Tilly’s, who was played by sophomore Fiona McGaraghan, Dungeons and Dragons campaign. She enters the fantasy world her sister created and learns to understand why her sister loved the game so much.
Freshman Ella Evans, who plays Vera, said the class rehearsed daily. “Once we all had our lines memorized and could put it all together it kind of just flowed,” Evans said. She described Vera as goth and full of attitude.
Senior Ana Colorado Arguello, who played Orcus/Ronnie, received one of the strongest audience reactions. Orcus/Ronnie is a demon overlord who has retired from villainy and now spends time eating cheez wiz and laying around. Although Colorado Arguello had been in the class before, it was her first time taking on an acting role. She explained that she was nervous at first. “After I saw how people liked the show I thought, ‘Okay, this isn’t so bad,’” Colorado Arguello said. “Sometimes you’ve got to put yourself out there and see what you’re capable of,” she added.
Backstage space was limited to a small curtain near the window. “We were all dying back there, it was really hot,” Colorado Arguello said. Despite the limitations, Johnson said the class chose simplicity on purpose. “We decided to keep it really simple and just have the actors relay the crazy environment,” Johnson said. “I think it worked out.”
‘She Kills Monsters’ will run two more shows on Dec. 11 and the 12 in C-16. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
