The Illinois State University School of Theatre and Dance will present She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen, opening October 27 at 7:30 p.m. This production features flying performers/monsters and large dragon puppets and is appropriate for middle school ages and above. Performances will be held in the Center for the Performing Arts Theatre and will run through November 4.
She Kills Monsters is the story of Agnes Evans. After the death of her teenage sister, Tilly, Agnes discovers her Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) module, or map. Agnes decides to play the game and embarks on an epic, comedic journey of discovery and action-filled fantasy role playing in the imaginary story that Tilly created as a world of wish fulfillment. Through this journey, Agnes discovers the true soul of Tilly, as well as the geek and warrior within herself.
“The imaginary monsters that Tilly battles in the D&D world are metaphors for the true monsters of her high school world: bigotry, bullying, gender and sexual orientation discrimination, fear, indifference, and intolerance,” says director Paul Dennhardt. “The play contains numerous fights and flights. We worked with Vertigo Rigging Co. for our students to master the technical proficiency needed in order to fly. This is the most technically complicated show I’ve ever had the pleasure to work on.”
Performances of She Kills Monsters are at 7:30 p.m. on October 27, 28, 31, and November 1–4. There will also be two matinees on October 29 and November 4 at 2 p.m. All performances will take place at the Center for Performing Arts Theatre.
For tickets or information, contact the College of Fine Arts Box Office, located in the Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts, open 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (309) 438-2535, or purchase tickets online by visiting ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Performance parking is available for free in the School Street Parking Deck in spots 250 and above, 400 West Beaufort St., in Normal.
