This post was written by Emmanuel Carrillo.

Our generation was lucky enough to be born in an age where being part of a nerdy fandom isn’t the great taboo it once was. I know way too much Adventure Time lore, you know everything there is to know about the Marvel universe, and your best friend has referred to themselves as a “classic Hufflepuff” at some point. So, we’re all nerds in 2019, but there was a time not so long ago where the word “nerd” was synonymous with “they’re different so let’s take every opportunity we have to bully them.” The adolescent world of the nineties was a world of binaries, of cool and nerdy, jocks and geeks…elves and paladins. 

The North Park Theatre Department’s portrayal of She Kills Monsters explores this binary in a way that will inspire basement-dwellers and meat-heads alike. The play revolves around popular high-schooler Agnes who is trying to get to know her nerdy younger sister, Tilly, through her Dungeons & Dragons gamebook. She has to use the book instead of talking to her sister since (not really a spoiler alert, but like kind of) Tilly got hit by a car and died. We go back and forth between Agnes’ real life as a cheerleader in 1995 and the world of Dungeons and Dragons where she, Tilly (aka Tillius), and a motley crew of fantasy creatures are guided by a nerdy dungeon-master on a quest. I’ll leave the rest of the plot for you to discover, which if you like teen angst, geek culture, 90s references, or modern theatre you’ll be happy to oblige.

I recommend going to see She Kills Monsters because the story not only enthralls you (I’m still thinking about those dragons) but also touches on issues of LGBTIA+ identity which was as pertinent then as they are now. The characters tactfully approach these issues like high schoolers actually would, confused and with hesitancy. They don’t have concrete answers but continue asking questions regardless (very Gen X). What personally struck me was how the play—and in a way, all theatrical performances—is very much a game of D&D. Reality is suspended for a period of time and only given a small amount of information we’re forced to imagine everything else. I understand that not everyone is a fan of using their imagination in real-time settings, but the cast and crew do a really great job of filling in the blanks. The puppetry, video game-esque music, choreographed fights, and ominous lighting miraculously transforms the space so that everyone becomes immersed in the D&D campaign. I urge you to go watch She Kills Monsters this weekend if you want to have a fun nostalgic time and leave with something important to chew on. 

3.5 dice-rolls out of 4

Click here to purchase tickets to the show!