Lights, Curtain, Dice Roll; ‘She Kills Monsters’ Debuts at UWS
SUPERIOR, Wis. — With a new theater professor, the University of Wisconsin-Superior nears opening day for “She Kills Monsters.” The stage is set for comedic and heartwarming dungeon crawler at UW-Superior’s Manion Theatre, as the curtain rises Friday, Nov. 10, for ‘She Kills Monsters.’
Making his directorial debut at UW-Superior, Director Sean Naughton was excited to bring a fresh playwright to his students and newfound community.
“The great thing about ‘She Kills Monsters’ is that it’s really about young people and the big issues and things that young people are dealing with today,” said Director Saun Naughton. “Grief, loss, reliance, community.”
“Ever since elementary school I’ve been passionate about acting,” said Ellie Evenson, a freshman who plays the character Tilly. “And I saw that the show was ‘She Kills Monsters’ which I wanted to do for a very long time. I knew that I wanted to put myself out there.”
“I have never been a part of just a play. I’ve always been a part of musicals, opera,” said Sarah Vindel, a sophomore who plays Lilith. “Basically, I’ve never been part of a raw theatre play like this.”
But in a play with 11 fight scenes and none of the cast having any prior experience in choreography. Naughton reached out to an UWS alum with over 70 Broadway play experience.
“We’re so lucky at UWS to have a distinct established alumni by the name of Rick Sordelet. Who came at the beginning of our process to help us choreograph the fights,” explained Naughton. “We were so fortunate to get him out here to work with our students.”
‘She Kills Monsters’ follows the story of Agnes, who tries to reconnect with her dead sister by playing her locally famous dungeons and dragons campaign. Even without the final curtain call, student actors have already found the play leaving a lasting impact.
“I recently lost a friend and this play just have helped me get through those emotions way better,” said Vindel. “Getting to know someone through memories, even if they are not in life with you anymore. I think that resonates the most with me.”
“Through all the challenges that the characters face I feel like I can relate to their challenges and apply them to my own,” said Evenson.
“She Kills Monsters” will have six shows in the Manion Theater at UWS. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays throughout Nov. 19. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, and $5 for UWS students with a valid student ID. Tickets can also be purchased in advanced here.
