She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition, written by Qui Nguyen and directed by MaryKate Lindbeck–assisted by Emma Thurston–opens Sept. 23 at Pentacle Theatre.
While the plot of She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition centers on high schoolers who play the long-popular roleplaying game “Dungeons and Dragons,” Pentacle Theatre’s production will ring true with older audiences as well, said director Katie Lindbeck.
“Whether you’re 18 or 80, the memory of your high school friends, enemies and experiences that shaped who you are stay with you — always,” Lindbeck said.
“The journey is a comic, action-packed exploration of the assumptions you can make about the people you love and the monsters we all must face inside and out,” said assistant director Emma Thurston.
Lindbeck and Thurston said their production and actors don’t hold anything back in the storytelling.
“We’re not afraid to portray the challenges we’ve all lived at that age,” Thurston said.
“Whether we ran with the popular crowd, felt like outcasts on the social fringe or were shamed and bullied — it’s all part of surviving high school,” Lindbeck added.
Complete with D&D character roleplaying, swordfights and battles with monsters, fantastic costumes and masks, puppetry, projections and special lighting and sound effects, She Kills Monsters weaves a compelling tale about overcoming challenges in life that at first may seem insurmountable without help from your friends and allies.
Here’s the story: Agnes Evans suffers from a bad case of being average and is the exact opposite of her nerdy younger sister, Tilly. After Tilly’s death in a car accident, Agnes finds there was much she didn’t know about her sister and many assumptions she made. When she discovers Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook however, Agnes stumbles into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was Tilly’s refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a mystical journey that ends in self-discovery, connection, and the slaying of monsters both inside and out.
Meet the cast
She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition is led by a production team and technical crew of 25 and features 14 actors, many of whom play multiple roles:
- Shay Haase as Agnes
- Lexie Camacho as Tilly
- Brent Didde as Chuck
- Tyler Haase as Miles
- Emilie Sass as Kaliope / Kelly
- Kate Schmidt as Lilith / Lilly
- Arella Rodriguez Lentz as Vera
- Mikayla Stevens as Narrator
- Ian McCready as Steve
- Dustin Luna as Orcus / Ronnie
- Marah Walsh as Evil Tina
- Melissa Gutiérrez as Evil Gabby
- David Cusick and Mathieu Voisine as Non-Player Characters
- Kyla Krehoff as Fight Captain
Know before you go
What: She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition by Qui Nguyen.
- Directed by MaryKateLindbeck with assistant director Emma Thurston.
- Sponsored by Kendall / Morrison Wealth Management, Saalfeld Griggs, PC and Chomp! Chocolates.
When: Friday, Sept. 23 – Saturday, Oct. 15
- Evening performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday matinee performances at 2 p.m.
Where: Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave. N, Off Highway 22 about 6 miles west of downtown Salem.
Tickets online: Buy tickets at tickets.penatacletheatre.org.
- All seats are $25.
- Frontline healthcare workers and people who hold an Oregon Trail Card are eligible for a 50 percent discount.
Audience suitability:
- She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition, is suitable for ages 13+.
- Trigger warnings: fantasy violence, uncomfortable language and actions including shaming and bullying.
Pentacle Theatre COVID policies:
Masks are required at Pentacle Theatre.
- Pentacle Theatre requires all patrons and volunteers wear masks to protect others. Masks must cover your nose and mouth and may only be lowered to take a drink of water or enjoy concessions pre-show and during intermission.
For everyone’s health and safety:
- All cast, crew and volunteers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including boosters if eligible.
- Cast members do not wear masks when performing onstage and are tested weekly for COVID-19 exposure.
- Audience seating may be limited to meet current social distancing rules and guidelines.
- Performances may be cancelled or rescheduled as needed to keep our audience, cast, crew, volunteers and staff safe.
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