EPCHS Theater Takes on New Challenge With 'She Kills Monsters'

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — She Kills Monsters, a well-acclaimed dramatic comedy play, will make its debut at Evergreen Park Community High School’s Batho Auditorium later this month. Performances of the EPCHS version of the show, originally written by Qui Nguyen and premiered to audiences in 2011, will take shape at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22 and Friday, Oct. 23.

The play tells the story of high schooler Agnes Evans as she deals with the death of her younger sister, Tilly, according to its synopsis from Concord Theatricals.

“When Agnes stumbles upon Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister’s refuge,” the synopsis reads.

Amy Kazin, EPCHS director of activities and fine arts, said She Kills Monsters was selected as this year’s Fall Play at EPCHS due in part to both the entertainment value it brings the audience and the challenge it gives the student theater performers.

“This is a difficult show,” said Kazin, who is directing a cast of 16 drama students. “She Kills Monsters was selected as the Illinois High School Theatre Festival All-State show in 2024, which speaks to the level of rigor and difficulty.”

Cast members at EPCHS have been more than up for the challenge.

“Everyone has been working really hard and coming in prepared,” Kazin said. “It can be physically and mentally tiring. Physically, there’s a lot of stage combat that many of them haven’t had to do before and mentally there are a lot of emotional themes.”

Lead roles will be played by junior Eileen Brady (Agnes) and senior Bella Dever (Tilly).

Playing the lead is nothing new to Brady, who Kazin said has been involved in EPCHS theater works since 2018 as a regular member of the Spotlight on 99th summer theater camp. Most recently, she played the lead role of JoJo in the EPCHS theater performance of Seussical: The Musical this past spring.

“This will be quite a different role for her,” Kazin said. “The Agnes role is more demanding than most we put on the stage.”

A veteran of more than a dozen EPCHS theater shows dating back eight years, Brady said every show becomes more memorable than the previous one.

“Performing is what I love to do, with this show adding to the reasons why I adore the stage,” Brady said. “Now my roles range from ensemble to main character. Agnes is your typical average high school girl, nothing grand particularly stands out about her. She is on her school’s cheer team, which obviously would come with having a football boyfriend. But after an accident which ended in her little sister, Tilly, unfortunately passing away, Agnes’ world was turned upside down. Agnes struggles a significant amount in this show through finding how to process her little sister’s death, her school life and learning how to fight monsters in DnD. As she ventures along the story, Agnes learns how to cope with the loss of her little sister, finding out a little more about her on the way.”

Dever said she is looking forward to playing Tilly Evans in what will be her final play at EPCHS.

“From middle school shows to performing in theatre all 4 years in high school, this opportunity means a lot to me,” Dever said. “Tilly is a complex character who’s shy at times yet courageous and brave when she's in a comfortable setting. As the creator of her game, she's a natural leader and brings her team together. I’ve loved having the opportunity to play her as I haven’t performed as a character as outgoing as her before.”

Supporting cast members are Elizabeth Mattson (Lilith), Jamari Jeffries (Miles), Adam Bosch (Chuck), Emari Crossley (Vera), Jordan McCadd (Kaliope), Ziggy Sochacki (Orcus), Mariah Lucas (Farrah), Jershawn Dubose Jr. (Steve), Evelyn Shimek (Evil Tina), Miranda Mahlum (Evil Gabbi), Lisette Dugar (Narrator/Monster), Elaina Liescke (Bugbear/Monster) and RJ Mankowski (Bugbear/Monster). Cara Cassidy is the student director.

Kazin said rehearsals have been going well as the show dates quickly approach.

“We are right on schedule,” she said. “We’ve finished blocking, the kids know where they are standing for the show and where to move for all of the scenes. So for the rest of rehearsals we’ll be cleaning things up, getting into a rhythm and adding a soundtrack.”

Cast members are excited about performing for their families, peers and theater enthusiasts from Evergreen Park and beyond.

“They think this show will resonate with their peers,” Kazin said. “They are all working really hard to support each other. They rise to the challenge, like the rigor and being exposed to something different.”

Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens and can be purchased online here or at the door on the nights of the show. Central Middle School students can get a free ticket at the door with their school identification card. On Opening Night, a Cosplay raffle will be held giving anyone who comes to the show in costume a raffle ticket for a $100 Amazon gift card.

“The kids do great work,” Kazin said. “You can’t go see a movie for what we charge, and it is high quality entertainment. The kids work hard and deserve to have every seat filled.”