She Kills Monsters

I looked at my best friend and fellow teacher, Agnes, as she explained the new interest that seems to be taking up all her time: Dungeons and Dragons. As much as I want to laugh at the dorkiness, I’m stopped with a ping of concern as deja vu smarms my head. The hours on end she spent complaining about her little sister, Tilly, and how she only cares- cared- about the game. Now I can’t stop but think about how much she reminds me of her sister, who I always believed to be the exact opposite of the young adult in front of me.

As I go to respond, I feel myself freeze as Agnes loses herself in the game.

“What's a bugbear? Are they bugs? Are they bears?’’ Agnes screams .

Suddenly, I open my eyes. I look down to see the regular papers spread across my desk as my mind recalls the previous conversation with my friend. I don't remember how it ended, or where she is, but I do know I have to clean up, OR I might just leave it to Lilly who I like to call my ‘student assistant’.

I played Vera in Qui Nguyen’s ‘’She Kills Monsters’’ the weekend of October 15th and 16th. Being a part of the Yoh Theater’s first play of the year, was an experience I will appreciate for a very long time. The cast of 7th-12th graders were all nervous as we started our first rehearsals back in early September.

Starting a new school year, along with a new play, is an experience only some at Woodstock Union High School and Middle School can relate to, but a uniting experience to all that are lucky enough to be a part of the cast.

‘’She Kills Monsters’’ is a play that dives into the world of Dungeons and Dragons, fighting monsters, fears, and the life of being a gay teen in 1995s Athens, Ohio. The story follows Agnes Evans, an average adult, grieving her dead 15 year old dorky sister, Tilly Evans who died in a car crash, along with their parents two years prior. She decided to explore the story of D&D that her sister loved so much. Agnes is transported into the world of Tilly Evans, her friends, powers, and who her sister really was.

Yoh Theatre's next production is, ‘Tuck Everlasting’ the musical. If you are interested in joining, rehearsals start Monday, October 25th, 3:15-5:15 in the auditorium. If you're interested in attending, the play is showing December 17th, 18th, and 19th.