From Nov. 7-16, the Archie Williams Peregrine Players performed Qui Nguyen’s drama-comedy play She Kills Monsters. The shows began at 7:00 p.m. in the Archie Williams Little Theater and lasted about an hour and a half, with one 15-minute intermission halfway through. During the intermission, drinks and snacks were available outside, with commissions going towards the drama program.
She Kills Monsters follows Agnes Evans, a teacher in a small town in Ohio whose younger sister, Tilly, dies in a tragic car accident. After finding her younger sister’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, Agnes embarks on an action-packed roleplaying adventure that allows her to reconnect with her recently deceased sister. The adventure explores themes of grief, familial bonds, and self-discovery.
Archie Williams drama teacher Jasper Thelin directed the production and worked closely with Advanced Drama and Intermediate Drama students to craft a cohesive and engaging performance. Thelin aims to create unique pieces of art with every performance and treasures the community he builds in the class.
“We work together to make a piece of art, and that’s a powerful and unique thing that doesn’t happen much in life. [You do it,] and then it’s gone, and tomorrow, these shows are going to be over, and they’ll never be the same group of people doing the same theater art creation ever again,” Thelin said.
The play was filled with energetic fight scenes, humor, and 90’s pop culture references, leaving the audience laughing throughout the night. Archie Williams junior and audience member Colin Gilmartin found the performance entertaining and engaging, especially the action-packed fight scenes.
“I thought it was cool the way the fight scenes were done. They were really impressive,” Colin said.
The Peregrine Players are a very close-knit community. From running lines together to building sets everyone contributes. Thelin works hard to make a welcoming environment and students are very kind.
“I really like the community. It’s really nice, I love set design and being around everyone” said sophomore performer Milo Kahn.
She Kills Monsters featured a group of dynamic and comical characters, from gelatinous cubes to sassy demons. The group of main characters, also known as the Dungeons & Dragons party, was a fan and cast favorite for their eclectic group of funny, witty, adventurers.
The performance showcased the actors’ skills and comedic abilities, with the audience laughing during nearly every scene. The Peregrine Players’ effort also showed through the production, with well-crafted props, costumes, and execution.
“I think [the production] was pretty cool, the costumes and set were awesome. I feel like you could tell how hard everyone worked,” Colin said.
From the ‘90s references and comedic fight scenes to the emotional depth of the characters, She Kills Monsters was a well-rehearsed, memorable start to the winter play season at Archie Williams. With its mix of humor, fantasy, and heart, the production captured the essence of theater and the magic of storytelling.
The Peregrine Players’ spring 2025 season will begin with Living Dead in Denmark, by Qui Nguyen, presented by Intermediate and Advanced Drama March 12-15.
