By Sandy Sabot for Washington School District

“She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition” by Qui Nguyen will bring to light a range of emotions and feelings faced by adolescents every day. Wash High’s Prexie Performers are ready for the challenges. Sophomore Cheyenne Desmond takes on the lead role of “Agnes Evans,” a senior with a younger sister “Tilly,” portrayed by junior Julia Sandoval. In the production, Tilly’s character is more the spirit of Tilly, as she has died in a car accident. The age difference between the two sisters (Tilly was four years younger) didn’t help them build a close relationship. However, Agnes considered Tilly nerdy and weird, while she was the popular girl in school. They were sisters, but lived in different worlds.

The guilt of losing her sister, however, pushes Agnes into sorting through Tilly’s books, writings, and games to learn more about her younger sister. Agnes discovers Tilly’s feelings and how she dealt with the way others treated her. Agnes finds a notebook of information about Tilly’s gameplaying and feelings and learned that Tilly had been teased and tormented by those who didn’t accept her. Tilly is trying to figure out her sexuality and stays hidden in her confusing, adolescence, trying to fit in. Tilly played Dungeons and Dragons a lot and Agnes starts to play using Tilly’s D&D character to see how she felt. Desmond said, “When Agnes learns that Tilly has struggled so much with her sexuality, she begins to empathize with how much Tilly had been through at such a young age.”

“They’ve been practicing for this production since late October. We’re hoping that many of the parents come, and then it begins conversations with their kids. This play really encourages that. It is really the high school version of a college play, so It’s been watered down a bit, but still gets the point across.” Director and English teacher Brandy LaQuatra said. Her Assistant Director, math teacher Tim Grebeck, expressed hopes that the audience will be full of parents and other adults who work with youth. Grebeck said, “We’d like the adults to listen to the plot and see how youth struggle to understand their thoughts, feelings, and emotions as they grow up, dealing with the real world, including their sexual identity. “ Every student expressed a similar message regarding the theme of the production. Comments like ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ to ‘everyone is unique and should be valued’ were echoed by all involved. Sandoval who plays Tilly said, “I like Tilly as a character – she’s always a little morally grey and she had struggled with her older sibling, Agnes.” But, the play is also a way for parents to understand more about a young person’s struggle with sexual identity. Senior Jaqie Thomas plays the Narrator and said her idea of the play’s theme is that “People should be more inclusive, especially of those in the LGBTQ community. It shows the audience a different perspective. It’s ok to be themselves.” Junior Jayden Thompson has been involved in the Prexie Performers since he was a freshman, and is glad to be back to live performances again since Covid-19 shut things down. “I play Chuck, a character who is like a second narrator, and he helps “Agnes” through the games. He has kind of a crush on Agnes, too.”

Agnes’ best friend is “Vera,” played by junior Anastasia Ayala. Also she handles the role of “Evil Gabby, a mean cheerleader who had picked on Tilly.” A first-time actress, Ayala said the play’s message is “No matter how different, we should all be treated equally.”

Demon Queen Lilith Morningstar is portrayed by junior Zoe Dinch in the Dungeon and Dragons’ part and also she plays Tilly’s best friend, Lily. Dinch said, “If one person changes his or her perspective after seeing this play, then it’s successful.” Acceptance and diversity again were the keywords stressed by the students in describing what this play represents. Art design for the play’s scenery is being handled by Lillith Dougherty, a junior who has worked on a couple of plays. Dougherty said even though she’s not acting, she feels an artist’s role is vital to set the scenes and work in the background. She said she got involved in the Prexie Performers because “It’s such a good community in here. That’s why we do it. It’s fun.” She encouraged other students to get involved in theater even if they don’t act. “You can be a background person, meet people, and help.”

Sha’Diamond McCrea got involved as a sophomore in this year’s production because “my friend talked me into it. I’m playing a lot of the different monsters. This play has been good for me – it’s helped me with my confidence to just be myself.” She feels that that message is what others should learn from seeing the play, too. “Just be yourself. Tilly believed she was gay and she needed to just come out and be accepted.” Portraying Evil Tina, a bully, is quiet freshman Talia Jimenez. “I have liked plays since elementary school so I wanted to get involved. It has helped with my confidence, too.” We want others to know that “being different is ok and others will accept you. You will find friends of your own.”

Junior Savannah Mellish is participating in her first play as an elf with the party. “My character Kaliope is sarcastic and ‘out there’.” Repeating some of the other cast members’ comments, Mellish said that the play has helped her build self confidence by playing a role. Acceptance. Tolerance. Diversity. Qualities that would make for a better world are the lessons from the performance. Add to that, parents’ understanding of what it means to be an adolescent now, and how the pace of the world is constantly changing. Remember how listening without prejudice is essential. The ultimate message is that communicating and working things out can make life easier for each of us to deal with life, and “kill off our own monsters” to live our best life.

The Prexie Performers will debut “She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition” on Thursday, February 17 at 7 p.m. in the LGI room at the high school. Additional performances are Friday, February 18 at 7p.m., and Saturday, February 19 th at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Student tickets are $5 and Adults are $7. “She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com