Director’s Note
Welcome to our production of She Kills Monsters. Bringing this vibrant, visually exciting, and deeply emotional play to the stage has been a thrilling journey for me and our cast and crew, and I’m incredibly proud of the work that everyone has put into this production. This venture into a world of fantasy and role-playing games is a bold step, one that I believe will not only captivate our audience, but has also challenged our actors and designers.
At its core, She Kills Monsters is a story about self-discovery and the power of human connection. As our protagonist, Agnes, delves into the fantastical realm of her late sister’s game, she embarks on a transformative journey of self-awareness and acceptance. This theme resonates deeply with the broader context of our fall play season, where we have explored the journeys and relationships that shape our true selves. Bart and Arnie, for example, showed us that things are not always as they appear, while Rosemallow House brought together seemingly disparate groups to achieve a common goal. Our play tonight combines these themes of self-discovery, connection, and growth, making it a fitting selection to close our fall play season.
In this world of Dungeons & Dragons, monsters, and epic quests, our actors have been able to step into roles that demand not only acting talent, but also physical agility and imaginative courage. Their dedication to developing these complex characters has been inspiring to witness. Much like Agnes, this year, every one of our characters (and Grade 12 students!) will embark on their own journeys of personal growth, understanding, and resilience. In embracing these themes, we hope that audiences will see pieces of themselves in the stories we tell, and maybe even be reminded of their own journeys of self-acceptance and discovery.
As a team, we have worked to bring the visually dynamic world of Dungeons & Dragons to life, utilizing costumes, sound, lighting, fight choreography, and creative set design to create a space where fantasy feels as tangible as reality. This production challenged our technical and creative teams to find ways to make the extraordinary happen on stage. By merging the fantastical with the everyday, She Kills Monsters asks us all to consider how our own worlds might change if we allowed ourselves the freedom to be our truest, bravest, most unapologetic selves.
Thank you for joining us on this adventure—prepare to laugh, to cheer, and maybe even to shed a tear as we explore this unforgettable story of self-discovery, sisterhood, and bravery. Let the adventure begin!
Mariko Watt Director
“She Kills Monsters”
First produced in New York City
The Flea Theater
Jim Simpson, Artistic Director; Carol Ostrow, Producing Director
Please be advised: because of explicit language, She Kills Monsters is appropriate for audiences in Grades 8 and above.
A Note from the Performing Arts Department
When Mariko first asked us to consider She Kills Monsters as our fall play for Grades 11 and 12, I was nervous: why would we consider a show about death, fairytale lands, and mayhem? But I kept reading...and I’m glad I did. What I found in the pages of this play was greater than I recalled or imagined–a place in which actors and audiences alike could explore themes of self-discovery and family conflict, and embrace all parts of ourselves.
Reading any story that includes the loss of something or someone meaningful is heartbreaking, and this play is no different. This story of a young woman reeling from the recent death of her younger sister and struggling with grief and loss reminds everyone that life is too short. Navigating pain and absence isn’t easy, but what’s beautiful are the discoveries our main character Agnes makes–she learns to embrace both her own vulnerabilities and the warrior spirit she shares with her late sister.
She Kills Monsters is a reminder that, in both fantasy and reality, we are often stronger and braver than we know—and that embracing all of ourselves, including our deepest fears and wildest dreams, is the key to moving forward. Please join us as we embark on an unforgettable adventure, filled with laughter, tears, and a whole lot of monsters, in a story that speaks to the power of identity and the transformative magic of imagination.
Ashley Hacker Performing Arts Department Chair
Cast
Agnes Drew Waldman
Tilly .................................................................................................................. Maggie Cochran
Chuck Spencer Udin
Miles Jasper Whiteley
Kaliope/Kelly ............................................................................................. Amara Johansson
Lilith/Lilly Isabelle Gerling
Vera............................................................................................................. Grayson Monacelli
Evil Gabbi ........................................................................................................ Juliet Michaelis
Evil Tina Stavi Gabriel
Farrah the Faerie .............................................................................................. Tessa Cooper
Steve the Adventurer Ava Vitali
Orcus/Ronnie ...................................................................................... Diego Garcia-Phillips
Stevie...................................................................................................................... Ryan Geisler
Narrator Carolina Lisk
Production Staff
Director Mariko Watt
Costume Designer .................................................................................................Kim Griffin
Scenic Design Daniel Hogan
Sound Director ........................................................................................... Caitlin McMullen
Lighting Design/Technical Director............................................................ David Higham
Fight Director Vincent Lane
Student Production
Assistant Directors Drew Waldman, Grayson Monacelli
Fight Captain ........................................................................................................ Ryan Geisler
Choreographer .................................................................................. Jenesis Bartholomew
Stage Manager Abigail Mangerson
Sound Crew ........................................................................................................ Quinn Marloe
Backstage Crew
Abigail Jean, Emma Gordon-MooPenn, Gabby Watts, Layla Lloyd, Emma Arden, Madeline Gross, Hannah Bienvenu, Esme Hort
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COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists
Meet the Production Staff
Mariko Watt (Director) Mariko Watt is excited to make her debut directing a fall play at Poly Prep. While primarily known for her work as the director of the Upper School musicals, Mariko brings a wealth of experience as a director, acting coach, musical director, drama teacher, and performer, as well as a passion for storytelling to this new challenge. Prior to Poly Prep, Mariko spent time teaching at the International School of Brooklyn, Brooklyn Children’s Theatre, Queens Theater, and taught for over 15 years in her own private vocal and acting studio. Favorite directing credits include: The Prom, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Curtains, Sweet Charity, Legally Blonde, Freaky Friday, Suessical, Guys and Dolls, and Annie
Drew Waldman ’25 (Assistant Director) Drew Waldman is thrilled to be an assistant director of She Kills Monsters. Having participated in all of the plays and musicals since Grade 6, she is excited to take on a slightly different role. Her commitment to the arts at Poly has helped her elevate her craft to the next level. She would like to thank all of her arts teachers, especially Ms. Watt for her mentorship and guidance throughout her years at Poly. She is also ecstatic to be playing Agnes.
Grayson Monacelli ’26 (Assistant Director) Grayson Monacelli has been involved in theater since she was in Kindergarten, participating in various plays and musicals outside of school. This marks her first year in a Poly Prep production since arriving to Poly in Grade 8. She is excited to embrace the challenges of her new role as assistant director and is particularly grateful to Ms. Watt for her support in pushing her beyond her comfort zone, fostering both personal and artistic growth. She will be playing Vera and hopes everyone enjoys the show just as much as she has enjoyed being a part of its creation.
Meet the Production Staff (Cont.)
Vincent Lane (Fight Director) Vincent Lane is an instructor with New York Combat for Stage and Screen (NYCSS) and is thrilled to help bring this production to life. He loves to blend his wealth of martial arts training and experience with physical storytelling. Most recently he has worked on: City of Angels (Wagner College,) As You Like It (SIST,) Patriots (Sonia Friedman Productions, Weapon Safety Director,) The Cherry Orchard (SIST,) Come Here, Sweet Boy (SOOP Festival 2023), Macbeth (The Meade School), She Kills Monsters (SIST,) Man in the Iron Mask (Hudson Classical Theatre,) and The Addams Family (Bedford Community Theatre).
Kim Griffin (Costume Designer) has designed for theater, musicals, dance, and opera; collaboration with directors, the design team, and the actors is integral to her process from beginning to end. Kim has worked at theaters, including the Williamstown Theatre Festival, New Jersey Repertory Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars, The Ohio Light Opera, Stageworks Theatre, Boomerang Theatre Company, Opera in the Heights, and The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston. She has toured with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Legends Blue Unit and has stitched for The Met Gala, Broadway shows, and national tours. She has also designed for Theatre for Young Audiences tours, along with university and high school productions. Kim is originally from Houston, Texas and earned her BFA in Theatre Design & Technology with a minor in Music from Baylor University and an MFA in Costume Design from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. As part of the fulfillment of her master’s degree at MGSA, she studied at Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare’s Globe, and The School of Historical Dress in London, England.
Daniel Patrick Hogan (Scenic/Set Designer) has designed scenery, props, hair, and makeup for numerous productions. As a scenic designer, his favorite projects include; Little Shop of Horrors, The Seafarer, The Pirates of Penzance, In the Heights, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and A Doll’s House. Recently, Daniel designed scenery for The Wallace Theatre’s production of Sweeney Todd. He created an immersive, multi-levelled set that placed the audience in between different locations. His design utilized existing elements of the derelict Wallace Theatre and offered a unique viewing experience for each audience member. Daniel thoroughly enjoys transforming found spaces and designing new works.
David Higham (Lighting Designer & Technical Director) is in his 33rd year at Poly, where he has been responsible for designing the lighting, sound, and scenery for over 170 productions. In addition to his work at Poly, Mr. Higham has designed lighting for productions at The Public Theatre, Lincoln Center, the Irish Arts Center, The Women’s Project, The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, and The National Shakespeare Company, among others. Mr. Higham also has worked as a lighting designer for several New York City architectural and landscape design firms.
Our Production Would Not Be Possible without the Generous Support of:
John Rankin
Interim Head of School
Michal Hershkovitz P’16, ’18
Assistant Head of School, Academics
Sarah Bates Head of Upper School
Michael S. Robinson Head of Arts
Ashley Hacker Performing Arts Department Chair
The members of the Performing Arts faculty, the Engagement & Communications Department, the Admissions Department, the Poly Prep IT Staff, the Facilities and Maintenance Department, the Security Staff, the Kitchen Staff, and the Upper School Deans.
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Join Us for These Upcoming Performing Arts Events
Winter Arts Festival
Thursday, December 19, 2024
VISUAL ART | 6:00 PM | TOWER GALLERY
MUSIC CONCERT | 7:00 PM | MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Afternoon of Student Choreography
RICHARD PERRY THEATRE
Sunday, January 26, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Upper School Musical: 9 to 5, the Musical
Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton, Book by Patricia Resnick
RICHARD PERRY THEATRE
Friday & Saturday, March 7 & 8, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 9, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Annual Spring Dance Concert
RICHARD PERRY THEATRE
Thursday & Friday, April 10 & 11, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Middle School Musical: Disney’s Newsies Jr.
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, Book by Harvey Fierstein
RICHARD PERRY THEATRE
Friday, May 16, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming events!