A game of Dungeons & Dragons becomes much more than an adventure in Evergreen Park Community High School’s fall play, “She Kills Monsters.” The production follows a young woman who discovers a new side of her younger sister after her death, giving student performers a chance to explore a story filled with fantasy, humor and emotion.
The EPCHS drama department will present the play at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, and Friday, Oct. 23, in Batho Auditorium.
Written by Qui Nguyen and first performed in 2011, “She Kills Monsters” centers on Agnes Evans, a high school student struggling to cope with the loss of her younger sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she enters a fantasy world filled with monsters, adventure and unexpected discoveries about the sister she thought she knew.
Amy Kazin, EPCHS director of activities and fine arts, said the play stood out as a choice for the school’s fall production because it offers students an opportunity to challenge themselves while giving audiences an entertaining and meaningful story.
“This is a difficult show,” said Kazin, who is directing a cast of 16 students. “‘She Kills Monsters’ was selected as the Illinois High School Theatre Festival All-State show in 2024, which speaks to the level of rigor and difficulty.”
That challenge has not discouraged the cast. Students have been working through the physical demands of stage combat while preparing to tackle the emotional themes woven throughout the story.
“Everyone has been working really hard and coming in prepared,” Kazin said. “It can be physically and mentally tiring. Physically, there’s a lot of stage combat that many of them haven’t had to do before, and mentally there are a lot of emotional themes.”
Junior Eileen Brady takes on the role of Agnes, while senior Bella Dever plays Tilly. Both bring their own experiences and perspectives to characters whose relationship is at the heart of the story.
Brady has been involved in EPCHS theater since 2018, when she began participating in the school’s Spotlight on 99th summer theater camp. She most recently played JoJo in the school’s spring production of “Seussical: The Musical.”
Although she has performed a variety of roles over the years, Brady said each production gives her another reason to enjoy being on stage.
“Performing is what I love to do, with this show adding to the reasons why I adore the stage,” Brady said.
Agnes presents a different kind of challenge. She begins the story as an ordinary high school student, but the sudden loss of her younger sister turns her world upside down. As she explores Tilly’s fantasy world, Agnes begins to process her grief and learns things about her sister that she never knew.
Kazin said the role will push Brady in new ways.
“This will be quite a different role for her,” Kazin said. “The Agnes role is more demanding than most we put on the stage.”
For Dever, playing Tilly is especially meaningful because the production marks her final play at EPCHS. After performing in theater since middle school, she said she is grateful for the opportunity to finish her high school theater experience with a character who has challenged her in a new way.
“From middle school shows to performing in theatre all 4 years in high school, this opportunity means a lot to me,” Dever said.
Dever describes Tilly as someone who may be shy at times but becomes confident and courageous when she feels comfortable. As the creator of the fantasy game, Tilly steps into a leadership role, bringing her team together along the way.
“Tilly is a complex character who’s shy at times yet courageous and brave when she’s in a comfortable setting,” Dever said. “As the creator of her game, she’s a natural leader and brings her team together. I’ve loved having the opportunity to play her as I haven’t performed as a character as outgoing as her before.”
The supporting cast includes Elizabeth Mattson as Lilith, Jamari Jeffries as Miles, Adam Bosch as Chuck, Emari Crossley as Vera, Jordan McCadd as Kaliope, Ziggy Sochacki as Orcus, Mariah Lucas as Farrah, Jershawn Dubose Jr. as Steve, Evelyn Shimek as Evil Tina, Miranda Mahlum as Evil Gabbi, Lisette Dugar as Narrator/Monster, Elaina Liescke as Bugbear/Monster and RJ Mankowski as Bugbear/Monster. Cara Cassidy serves as student director.
With opening night approaching, Kazin said the cast is where it needs to be. Students have finished blocking, which establishes where actors stand and move during each scene. Rehearsals are now focused on polishing those movements, finding the right rhythm and adding the soundtrack.
Beyond the fantasy battles and humor, Kazin said the students are excited to share a story they believe their classmates will connect with. The cast has also made supporting one another a priority as they work through the demands of the production.
“They think this show will resonate with their peers,” Kazin said. “They are all working really hard to support each other. They rise to the challenge, like the rigor and being exposed to something different.”
Tickets cost $6 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. They are available online or at the door on performance nights. Central Middle School students can receive free admission by presenting their school identification cards at the door.
Opening night will include a cosplay raffle, giving audience members who arrive in costume a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Kazin hopes the performances will draw a full house and give the students the audience their hard work deserves.
“The kids do great work,” Kazin said. “You can’t go see a movie for what we charge, and it is high quality entertainment. The kids work hard and deserve to have every seat filled.”