The Davis & Elkins College Theatre & Film Program opens its fall 2022 season with “She Kills Monsters,” October 20-22. Performances take place at 8 p.m. in Harper-McNeely Auditorium in Myles Center for the Arts on the College campus.
Admission is free and donations are accepted. For reservations, visit www.showtix4u.com/events/dewv or call the D&E box office at 304-637-1255.
Directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Dr. Aubrey Helene Neumann and stage managed by student Maggie Gunning, the production stars freshman Nicole Schumacher as Agnes, and sophomore Heather Humphrey as Tilly.
“She Kills Monsters” is a dramedy theatrical production originally written by Qui Nguyen in 2011. Set in Athens, Ohio, around 1995, the story follows Agnes Evans, an average teenage girl who is left all alone during some of her most vulnerable stages following the tragic death of both her parents and her older sister, Tilly. Feeling very lonely and always having been distant from her sister even when she was alive, Agnes embarks on an adventure of her own and quickly gets swept up in Tilly’s secret world of Dungeons and Dragons.
“I am very excited to be a part of this production,” said Schumacher, a resident of Clarksburg. “It’s my first one here at D&E, I’m hoping everyone enjoys it, and everyone should come and see it.”
Sophomore Star Eakle of Elkins, portrays Lilith Morningstar, “the Demon Queen,” whom she describes as “a complete rebel.” Eakle made her acting debut at D&E last year and says she loves the art because, “It’s a time to become a different person and be creative.”
Second-year D&E thespian Quinn Staunton of Lewisburg, who plays Orcus, has great enthusiasm for this production. “I’m very excited. (I’ve been) looking forward to this one, and I think it’s going to be really, really great.”
Additional cast members include Nina Arbogast of Beverly; Caden Blizzard of Moorefield; Harley Dragone of Centreville, Virginia; Trinity Fleming of Temecula, California; Roger Gabbert III of Colliers; Sabastian Hicks of Bluefield; MacKenzie Jones of Washington, D.C.; Kyia McGill of Buckhannon; and Walter Ridgley of Dewittville, New York. The cast also includes two apprentices from The Old Brick Playhouse, Emilia Diaz and Marissa Mallow.
Design team and backstage crew members include Sidney Apanowicz of Fairmont; Joseph Daniels of Beverly; Emma Engle of Martinsburg; Willow Ferguson of Wolfcreek; Emily Reeves of Buckhannon; Giovanni Romero of Ranson; Jonathan Shields of West Union; and Emma Watson of Beverly.
This play is intended to resonate with an older audience and should be considered “PG-13” due to mild profanity, a homophobic slur, simulated violence, bullying, non-sexual romantic physical affection, and language of a sexual nature.
The cast and crew of “She Kills Monsters” prepares for their upcoming production. Presented by the Davis & Elkins College Theatre & Film Program, shows are scheduled for 8 p.m. Oct. 20-22.
