Producer Trudeau: "She Kills Monsters" About Identity
by Amber Rivard
A young woman named Agnes loses her family in a car wreck and discovers secrets about her late sister through Dungeons and Dragons.
That’s the situation in “She Kills Monsters," a dramedy, written by Qui Nguyen, that opens Thursday, April 7, at Tilden Arts Center at 4C’s. Produced by Vana Trudeau and directed by Holly Erin McCarthy, the show will continue at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays through April 23.
“Going through her younger sister’s things, (Agnes) discovers what turns out to be a Dungeons and Dragons notebook,” Trudeau says. “And, not knowing anything about Dungeons and Dragons, she seeks out some of her sister’s friends to try to figure out what that's all about.
“And, so, the story then takes us fantastically in and out of the world of Dungeons and Dragons, in the world that her younger sister had created and the game that she wrote, and she discovers some things about her sister that she never knew. She realizes that she was not as close to her sister as maybe she wanted to be.”
“The point of the story is about identity, being seen for who you are, being loved for who you are, having the courage to live your authentic self and the courage to support others and living their authentic self. So, I don't want to simplify it and say it's just a feel-good heartwarming story. … It does deal with the impact of bullying, what that can do to folks, and the harm that it causes, but it also shows us a victorious story for our young heroes and overcoming the challenges that can present.”
Agnes Evans played by Cara Girardi
Photo taken by Kendra Murphy
Performers got the opportunity to work with a professional fight choreographer to learn how to act out the violence safely and effectively for the audience.
“That was a real challenge, I think, for a lot of folks, but also a fun experience,” Trudeau says. “They get to work with swords and axes and daggers and then, also, you know, punches and kicks and things like that. It's always good when we can give our students a good foundation in stage combat.”
The cast has rehearsed for the play with strict covid protocols that involves wearing a mask full time. They are now undergoing rapid COVID testing at dress rehearsals and every show, so they will be able to perform without masks.
The cast: Cara Girardi, Anna Josselyn, Dan Svirsky, Hannah Carrita, John Guptill, Ashley Scott-Sandagato, Ari Lew, Maddie Pitts, Jacob Cardinal, Matthew Neal, Gwen Lyons, Savannah O’Brien, and Sail Fisichella Bower.
Behind the scenes: Deb O, Maxx Finn, Amy Canaday, John Bishop, Chris Plonka, Elizabeth Rapoza, Molly Bishop, Tammy Hanly, Summer Bates, Micah Bellevue, and Colby Flanigan.
Masks must be worn by all attendees and proof of vaccination is required for all those over the age of 12.
To read more about cast member Savannah O'Brien click here
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