This fall, the Gold Masque theater department brought She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen to life on stage. The show takes the audience on an emotional and action-packed adventure, blending fantasy with raw emotion. It’s filled with sword fights, mythical creatures, and plenty of heart. The play focuses on Agnes Evans, a pragmatic teen who immerses herself in the fantasy world of Dungeons and Dragons after the death of her younger sister, Tilly, in a car accident. To learn more about the sister she never truly knew, Agnes explores the imaginary world Tilly created inside the game. Once inside the game, she meets a cast of characters which includes Tilly’s warrior alter ego, Tillius the Paladin, a dark elf named Lilith, the mysterious Kaliope, the hilarious demon Orcus, and the awkward, but lovable Dungeon Master, Chuck Biggs.
As Agnes embarks on her journey through the game, she’s faced with strange monsters, demons, and dragons, though her toughest battle is facing her own grief and regrets. She grieves the loss of her sister after finally being able to understand her, and regrets not trying to connect with her while she was alive. What begins as a game transforms into a powerful story about identity, acceptance, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood.
When asked how she was feeling about the upcoming performance, freshman Sophie Lambrix, who plays Tilly Evans, stated, “It’s coming along great! The cast and crew are working so hard to put it all together. This is my first play with Gold Masque, and it’s just wonderful. I’m really excited.” Her enthusiasm echoes the play’s main theme of healing and connection, serving as a reminder that even in a world of monsters, there’s still room for hope and heart. Along with Sophie, there’s a lot of juniors this year, Katie Kuhe as Agnes, Isabella Leoce as Chuck Biggs, Angelina Bruno as Orcus, and Deanna Drob as Lilith.
The production seamlessly blends humor, action, and heartfelt moments. From the epic fight choreography to touching emotional scenes, She Kills Monsters showcases the incredible talent and dedication of both the cast and crew. Director Becca Corrado shared that her favorite part of doing the show has been the stage combat. “I was certified for stage combat, so I love challenging the cast with new techniques. They’ve picked up sword fighting and flips, and we even brought in a friend of mine to help. Seeing everyone rise to the challenge has been amazing, and I think it adds a unique layer to this production.”
The passion behind this production is shared by every cast and crew member, from actors to tech crew. With their hard work and collaboration, they were able to bring a powerful story to life, one that blends laughter with emotion and fantasy with reality. The Gold Masque theater department continues to showcase the beauty of the arts and put on performances that resonate with a large audience.
