February 1, 2019

Drexel University’s Co-op Theatre Company presents SHE KILLS MONSTERS, a comedic romp into the world of role-playing fantasy games, written by Qui Nguyen and directed by Kathryn MacMillan. SHE KILLS MONSTERS takes audiences on the journey of Agnes Evans who finds her late sister Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook and discovers the action-packed world that was Tilly’s refuge. SHE KILLS MONSTERS runs from February 22 – March 2 in Drexel’s Black Box Theater located in the URBN Center Annex. To purchase tickets, click here.

SHE KILLS MONSTERS is unique in its method of storytelling. Driven by female voices and using Dungeons & Dragons as the backdrop, the piece invites audiences to participate in a journey of self-discovery, touching on challenging familial themes and exploring the queer teen experience in the 1990s. In what might seem at first glance like an unlikely follow-up to the Co-Op Theatre Company’s November production of Molière’s classic, TARTUFFE, which was produced in partnership with Mauckingbird Theater Company and presented through a queer lens, SHE KILLS MONSTERS is another tale told through the viewpoint of the outcast. Theater Program Director, Nick Anselmo, states, “I wanted the season to focus on young people who were not part of what some people would consider the mainstream. It is the year of the outlier, and it turns out that they are really cool.”

As a female director in a predominantly male field, Kathryn MacMillan understands the concept of being an outlier, and was, in part, drawn to SHE KILLS MONSTERS for its strong female voice: “Something I’ve sought out is to tell stories that focus on women—that celebrate women—and their experiences and their unique outlook on the world.” This play speaks to the part of each of us that feels like we don’t quite fit in. MacMillan states, “I think, in a way, you can say that all theatre is about outcasts.”

Outcast is a term that many D&D “nerds” can relate to. Though not a gamer herself, when asked to direct this play, MacMillan jumped at the occasion to tell this story in such a fun, creative, physical and unique way. “I fell in love right away with the storytelling aspect of Dungeons & Dragons—with the part of D&D that isn’t about pitting yourself against another competitor, but where every player is working together for a common good…I hope that the audience will leave having laughed, having been moved, having been impressed by our fight sequences—which are amazing! —and having been glad they came together in a room of sometimes strangers to experience a thing, not through a screen, but live and in person.”

For more information about the show and tickets, visit the Co-op Theater Company’s website.

About Drexel University’s Co-Op Theatre
Drexel University’s Co-Op Theatre Company is a resident theater company that produces shows as part of the Theater Program at Drexel University and is sponsored by the Department of Performing Arts. Under the advisement and direction of Theater Program faculty, students from all over the University have the opportunity to get a hands-on experience running a theater company at a professional level by serving in various artistic, administrative, and production roles of Co-Op Theatre Company productions. Student roles include: Assistant to the Producing Director, General Manager, Social Media Director, Production Manager, Assistant Technical Director, and Director of Marketing, along with other key production positions. Many students, especially those in Entertainment and Arts Management, choose to fill one of these administrative positions as their culminating senior project.

About Drexel University’s Department of Performing Arts
The Drexel University Department of Performing Arts is a dedicated community of artists, faculty and staff committed to providing a quality education in dance, music, and theater. The Department looks to expand students' knowledge and skills through academic course work, rigorous technical training, experiences with professional artists, innovative community outreach, and outstanding performance opportunities. The Department of Performing Arts is home to the dance, music and theatre programs at Drexel, including a dance major and eight minors. It is also home to over 20 performing ensembles including the Drexel Co-Op Theatre Company. For more information, visit http://drexel.edu/performingarts.

JUST THE FACTS
SHE KILLS MONSTERS
ORIGINAL PLAY WRITTEN BY
Qui Nguyen

CAST
NARRATOR, Paul Ciaccia III
AGNES, Liv Shoup
TILLY, Vida Manalang
CHUCK, Will Kraft
LILITH, Mary Kate Melnyk
KALIOPE, Mary Kilgallon
ORCUS, Joey Teti
MILES, Gary Bowman
VERA, Prairie Yang
EVIL TINA, Emma Contreras
EVIL GABI, Molly Pratzner
STEVE, Max Gallagher
FARRAH, Isabella Raposa
ENSEMBLE, Carlie McWilliams, Jake Lucas, Elizabeth Friedman, Sally Harpster

PRODUCTION AND DESIGN TEAM
DIRECTOR, Kathryn MacMillan
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, Nick Anselmo
MANAGING DIRECTOR, Jessica Doheny
GENERAL MANAGER, Tanner Richardett
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Stephanie Smith
PRODUCTION MANAGER, Paul Jerue
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER, Heather Reese
MANDELL THEATER TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, Chris Totora
SCENIC DESIGNER, Paul Jerue
COSTUME DESIGNER, Jillian Keys
LIGHTING DESIGNER, Shawn McGovern
PROPERTIES, Avista Custom Theatrical Services, LLC
SOUND DESIGNER, John Stovicek
FIGHT DIRECTOR, Mike Cosenza
CHOREOGRAPHER, Peter Andrew Danzig
FIGHT CAPTAIN, Jake Lucas

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Thursday, Feb. 21 @ 8 pm (preview)
Friday, Feb. 22 @ 8 pm (opening)
Saturday, Feb. 23 @ 2 pm
Saturday, Feb. 23 @ 8 pm
Sunday, Feb. 24 @ 2 pm
Thursday, February 28 @ 8 pm
Friday, March 1 @ 8 pm
Saturday, March 2 @ 2 pm
Saturday, March 2 @ 8 pm (Closing)

PERFORMANCE LOCATION
Drexel University's Black Box Theater
URBN Center Annex
3401 Filbert St., Philadelphia, PA 19104

TICKETS
$20 General Admission, $15 Non-Drexel Students, $10 Drexel Students

Tickets are available for purchase at cooptheater.westphal.drexel.edu, or in person at the box office one hour before show time.