Last month, the Mira Loma High School Drama Club announced that they would be performing the play She Kills Monsters. The performances will be held virtually, though, to prevent the spread of Covid-19, like many other events that have taken place this year. Show dates are January 21st and 22nd, 2021.
This play, originally written by Qui Nguyen, is about Agnes Evans and her quest to learn more about her late sister, Tilly, through playing a Dungeons & Dragons module she wrote when she was alive. The story explores concepts such as family, friendship, and secrecy.
The new digital format has influenced many aspects of the production, as Drama Club Vice President Larissa Mayor explains. As the director of this play, Mayor has to instruct others on how to act and interact on an online stage. She describes blocking (the act of positioning and moving actors onstage) and keeping audio consistent as “totally different situation[s]” than plays that she has directed in the past.
One Drama Club member, Abby Pearson, plays Lily (and her Dungeons & Dragons counterpart, Lilith) in the play. Lily is one of Tilly’s high school friends, but is represented in Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons module by Lilith, a demon queen. Pearson spoke about her experience in the production of She Kills Monsters, including the new expectations for actors.
She explains that, since this play is taking place on a virtual platform, actors must “over-emote” to convey their emotions to the audience. Additionally, actors have to practice carefully enunciating their words in order to ensure that the performance is coherent in its online form.
Regardless of the abnormality of this year’s production, both Mayor and Pearson encourage people to see the play. Pearson describes Agnes’ story as one “filled with humor and emotion” that she recommends for everyone, while Mayor urges potential viewers to take note of the play’s themes. Some notable examples include finding oneself and learning about others.
“This show,” Mayor concludes, “has something for everyone!”
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