Hello,
I would love for you to be a part of the HS fall play!

The fall play is She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen!

• Auditions for She Kills Monsters is Tuesday, Sept 13 in the theatre at 3:30pm. You must have a one-minute monologue prepared and memorized to perform for me.

• TECH: If you are interested in doing tech for the Fall Play, please stop by the call board (in the theatre building across from the bathrooms) and pick up a contract. Fill it out and sign it and return it to me by Sept. 13. Tech job list will go out at the same time as the cast list.

• First rehearsal will be Tuesday, Sept 20 from 3:30-6:00pm.

• Rehearsals are after school from 3:30-6:30pm (later during tech week) Full calendar will be handed out at the first rehearsal.

• Performances are November 10, 11, 12 at 7:00pm

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She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen

Summary: She Kills Monsters tells the story of high schooler Agnes Evans as she deals with the death of her younger sister, Tilly. 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. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with bloodthirsty fairies, nasty ogres, and ’90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.
​PG-13. LGBTQ+, mature language, sexual innuendo, loss and grief, relationships, teenage life, bullying, Dungeons and Dragons themes and characters.

Characters: 
Tilly Evans/ Tillius the Paladin – 15.  A nerdy, tomboy and closeted lesbian in real life who is obsessed with Dungeons and Dragons, she is famous among the geek crowd at her school. In the world of D&D, she’s a level 20 Paladin, Healer of wounds and protector of lights; aka not to be messed with. She’s spunky, powerful, agile, and brings young energy and fresh spirit.  She dies at the very start of the show.  The character that shows up in the play is a creation of Agnes’s imagination.

Agnes Evans – 18. Tilly’s older sister. At first an average girl, of average height, of average weight, and average build. Has no knowledge of the DnD culture.  By her junior year, she has transformed into “magnificent cheerleadery.” In her Senior year, she discovers Tilly’s D&D book and wants to play it.

Chuck – A dorky freshmen, outspoken but self-aware nerd who loves the “Grunge Rocker roadie” look, a D&D enthusiast, also goes by the name “DM Biggs”.  He is employed at the local game store and is a Dungeon Master who knew Tilly during her life.  He acts as the Dungeon Master for the game Agnes plays

Miles – 18, Agnes’ boyfriend, not at all into “nerd culture”.  He is a football player, and very sweet.   He tries very hard.  He’s just your average square kinda guy who can come off as being very frat. He genuinely loves Agnes and is a caring guy.  Eventually, he joins in the DnD game, playing alongside Agnes.

Lilith Morningstar/Lily – 16. Her DnD Character class: Demon Queen. Acts as her party’s muscle. Has probably been alive for eternity. Very hot and Tilly’s girlfriend. Also very sarcastic, serious and self-aware. Think Gamora from “Guardians of the Galaxy.” In the real world, Lily is an average, modest teenager who wears glasses.

Kaliope Darkwalker /Kelly – 15. Her DnD Character is a Dark Elf. Acts as the party’s master tracker, lock picker, magic-user, and all-around elven ass-kicker.  She’s athletic, a waywatcher and navigator. Very analytical. She gives off earthy vibes. In real life, she has cerebral palsy and uses forearm crutches to help her.  Ronnie is her older brother.

Orcus/Ronnie – 17. His DnD character is a red demon. Has probably been alive for eternity. Former Overlord of the Underworld and current couch potato.  If there’s a lost soul, he’ll either have it or at least know where it is.  He’s the comedic relief of the party. In the real world, Ronnie is a normal sloppy teenager, his sister is Kelly.

Vera/ The Beholder – 18. Agnes’s best friend and fellow cheerleader, but would rather be with the punk-rockers.  She clearly is only a cheerleader because Agnes is one. In the DnD game, she becomes a ferocious single-eyeballed monster with sharp sharklike teeth.

Steve – 15. Character Class: Mage. Adventurer supreme.  He is dorky both in D&D and the real world.

Farrah – A little forest faerie. Appears very young.  She’s adorable, but she’s actually an angry force of nature in a small package. Must have some form of character voice.

Evil Gabbi – 15, Evil succubi cheerleader and a great dancer. Tilly’s vision of pure evil; the epitome of fake-nice preppy girl. She appears as normal a cheerleader that tormented Tilly as well as a succubi cheerleader in the D&D game.

Evil Tina – 15, Evil succubi cheerleader and a great dancer. Tilly’s vision of pure evil; the epitome of fake-nice preppy girl. She appears as normal a cheerleader that tormented Tilly as well as a succubi cheerleader in the D&D game.

Monsters, etc.--BugBear, Succubi Cheerleaders, Gelatinous cube, Tiamat

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR DA’S SPRING HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALTickets for “Spamalot,” our spring high school musical, are now available for purchase! Multiple performances will be held March 10, 11, and 12. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” this one-act adaptation of Monty Python’s “Spamalot” retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The outrageous, uproarious, and gloriously entertaining story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake will delight casts and audiences as they search for the Holy Grail and “always look on the bright side of life.” Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.datheatre.com/current-production.html. Questions? Contact Holly Marks.

Director's Note:
Laughing has a way of making us feel a little lighter. And sometimes, even when we are stressed and going through difficult times, when the world is in turmoil, we all just need a little laughter. A funny musical doesn’t make us forget about these heavy things. But a funny musical can bring together a group of people, even if it is just for an hour and half, and have them experience something light and fun TOGETHER. That is the beautiful power of Theatre. Our students have come together to do something challenging and difficult (all those hours memorizing lines, practicing dances and songs, building the set, creating lighting and sound cues, AND performing a “Broadway musical” in front of a live audience!). They have brought us together today to be in the moment and laugh. And when Patsy tells us to “always look on the bright side of life,” I will remind myself again to cherish this moment we are all experiencing together and to cherish our laughter. 
This art form, called theatre, brings us all together. The audience, cast, and crew are such an important part of what makes theatre special. So to each and every one of you: I am very grateful and want to express a very warm thank you to our community for your support of Denver Academy Theatre and theatre education. Students: thank you for being part of the process of making theatre, for your hard work, for your bravery, and for your passion. It is a privilege to work with you. Congratulations, cast and crew, on a wonderful show!

Thank you to Scott, my parents, family, and friends for your unending support. I love you.   

Thank you so much for attending Denver Academy’s production of Spamalot. Enjoy the show!​

-Holly Marks

You can see the giant white rabbit too, right? 

​GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL FALL PLAY, NOV. 11-13 Join us for the DA High School fall play Harvey by Mary Chase. Performances will be on Nov. 11, 12, and 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the DA Theater. Tickets are now available for purchase at DATheatre.com or email hmarks@denveracademy.org. All audience members will be required to wear masks and seats are limited.
A Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by Mary Chase, Harvey is the story of a perfect gentleman, Elwood P. Dowd, and his best friend, Harvey — a pooka, who is a six-foot-tall, invisible rabbit. Elwood introduces Harvey to everyone he meets. His social-climbing sister, Veta, increasingly finds his eccentric behavior embarrassing and decides to have him committed to a sanitarium. When they arrive at the sanitarium, a comedy of errors ensues.

In the midst of everything happening in our world right now, it is refreshing to meet a character like Elwood P. Dowd. At first, he might seem a little strange, but we discover that the world would be a much better place if we were all a little more like Elwood P. Dowd. Mr. Dowd is kind, earnest, honest, generous, and straightforward. He savors the moment, says what he means, and sees only the good in people. Elwood’s mischievous friend, Harvey the Pooka, shows us the importance of magic and lighthearted playfulness. With so much heaviness around us, we must remind ourselves to notice the simple joys and beauty we can find in our everyday lives. May you find time to stop and smell the Dahlias, listen to the jukebox, and “stop and watch the sunset and look at the birds flyin’.” Let’s take Elwood’s example: Let us enter this theatre as strangers and leave as friends. 

Thank you, Scott, my parents, friends, and family, for your unending support and for our happy adventures.  

Thank you so much for attending Denver Academy’s production of Harvey. “It's been very pleasant to meet you, and I hope to see you again.” Enjoy the show!​