'She Kills Monsters' at Shady Side Academy full of nostalgia, adventure

Shady Side Academy Performing Arts Chairman Dek Ingraham said he chose this year’s fall play as a celebration of the return to live theater at the Fox Chapel-based campus.

“She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurer’s Edition,” is bold, theatrical, funny, heartbreaking — a little odd, Ingraham said.

“This show helps us connect and strengthen our community of young artists at the school,” Ingraham said. “It offers the kinds of physical and intellectual challenges that the students here enjoy taking on. It’s the kind of show that kicks down the door and exclaims, ‘We’re back!”

The show will be presented in five performances Nov. 4-7 in the Peter J. Kountz Black Box Theater inside the Hillman Center for Performing Arts on the Senior School campus at 423 Fox Chapel Road. Tickets cost $12 for students and $15 for general admission and can be purchased online at shadysideacademy.org/theater.

Tickets also may be purchased at the door. Advance purchase is recommended as shows may sell out.

There are more than 30 students participating in the cast and crew.

“Audiences can expect a wonderfully weird mix of ‘90s nostalgia, geekery, swordplay and adventure, all wrapped around a powerful story of discovery and loss,” Ingraham said. “It’s funny, thoughtful and full of heart.”

A tale of Agnes Evans, the story follows her journey through the imaginary world that was her late sister’s refuge.

Two separate student casts will alternate performances.

Freshman Juliet Krokosky of Monroeville likes sharing the stage with a second cast.

“You get to see how your counterpart performs the role,” she said.

“The show is really relatable for students,” said senior Steven Liu, 17, who landed the role of Orcus, the Overlord of the Underworld.

Liu said his high school career has focused on academics but he wanted to take a risk and branch out during his final year.

“I love this show, and since it is my first, I will forever cherish it,” he said.

Sophomore Aaron Little of Fox Chapel said he participates in theater as a creative outlet.

“It lets me vent my creative energy and allows me to have an outlet for all the manic junk that’s tumbleweeding around in my brain,” the 16-year-old said.

“Further, it’s more about figuring out who I am outside the stage scenario and practicing my impersonation and improvisation skills.”

Little plays the role of an overzealous but incompetent nerd named Steve, a wannabe wizard in the world of D&D.

“Steve is known to enter, steal the show and then die (multiple times) tragically and brutally,” Little said.

“Though I size myself up as a main villain kind of actor, comedic relief has slowly become my whole gig this year.”

With elaborate costumes that support stage combat – Ingraham said there’s a lot of fighting – actors have tackled the challenge of learning to fight, fall and handle fake weapons safely.

Twice a week, they train with Fight Director Tonya Lynn.

“On the technical side, students have been challenged in the creation of the many monsters that our heroes fight along their journey,” Ingraham said.

They have crafted goblins, bugbears, dragons and more as paper-craft sculptures that Ingraham said are stunning. SSA’s resident designer and technical director Austin Davidheiser helped guide the team.

Senior Braden Crow said it’s just good to be back on stage after last year’s covid-related interruptions.

“Everyone is excited to get back to doing the real, advanced work that our program produces, and the energy among the cast is exciting,” Crow said.

“Our theatre program is a testament to the culture at our school. It’s probably among the most welcoming, connected and dedicated student groups on campus, and the quality of work we produce are proof of that.”

In the Blue Cast, the lead roles are Krokosky and senior Ava Kronman of Fox Chapel.

Supporting roles include freshman Kevin Polke of Fox Chapel; junior Cole Patterson of Richland; junior Maria Schwendeman of McCandless; junior Zoey Miller of Valencia; senior Braden Crow of Irwin, and senior Gloria Mancilla-Balog of Penn Hills.

In the Gold Cast, the lead roles are junior Elaine Gombos of Renfrew and sophomore Kayla Zhu of O’Hara. Supporting roles are sophomore Hector Lampert-Bates of Squirrel

Hill; senior Bing Bhakdibhumi of Bangkok, Thailand; junior Ellie Brisland of Chesapeake, Va.; freshman Sophia Gombos of Renfrew; senior Steven Liu of McCandless and sophomore Abril Linares Mendoza of Fox Chapel.

Senior Gigi Horgan of Kittanning is the stage manager, senior Lochlan McGinnis of Pine is the sound designer, and senior Riley Doyle of Seven Fields is the dance choreographer and movement coach.