Story by Amy Turner, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Matthew Crider
“She Kills Monsters,” a play centered around the game Dungeons and Dragons, ushers viewers into this gaming world of fantasy where players are given the chance to transform into whole new characters.
The play was written by Qui Nguyen and is directed by Matthew Crider, an assistant professor of Theater and Global Arts. He has taught at Murray State for six years now and has helped produce one play per year since he started. His previous works include “Proof,” “All in the Timing” and “Trojan Women.”
“The basic plot is that a young woman had her entire family die in a car crash, including her little sister,” Crider said. “As she is cleaning out the house, she finds her younger sister’s Dungeons and Dragons stuff. To get to know her sister, she takes it to this local game store and attempts to play this game.”
Crider said he was drawn to the play for its ability to bring people together over a game that was traditionally viewed as a game for the nerd in the corner.
“This play is really connecting us to not just why people love role playing games or fantasy or things like that, but showing just how many people connect to this… nerd culture thing.” Crider said.
Auditions for the play started at the beginning of this spring semester, and 12 students were cast into roles for the production. Since then those students have practiced for five to six nights a week for three to four hours a night.
The rehearsal process can be challenging and requires a lot of work, but cast members such as Makayla Willett, a sophomore from Marshall County, Kentucky, said working with director Crider has made the rehearsal experience enjoyable despite the challenges.
“At every rehearsal Matt starts it with just telling us to have fun and enjoy the play,” Willett said.
Marie Norris, a senior from Owensboro, Kentucky, said she also appreciated the atmosphere throughout this process.
“My favorite part of the rehearsal process has been how much fun all of it is,” Norris said. “The characters in “She Kills Monsters” are larger than life.”
She said with a cast that has such strong personality and skill already, it was great going into this adventure.
“Learning fight choreography and discussing our own theories behind the meaning of things has made this one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had at Murray State,” Norris said.
For people like Cory Storm, a sophomore from Owensboro, Kentucky, the best part about rehearsals has been watching the cast grow as actors with their characters.
“My favorite part of the process has been seeing all my cast members who have never really had the opportunity to show their talents and abilities and watch them grow,” said Storm.
It is being held in the Robert E. Johnson theater April 26-29. Tickets are free to students with their student ID. Showtimes and ticket prices for others can be found online at Murray State’s event calendar.