She Kills Monsters

She Kills Monsters contains discussions of grief and death, homophobic language, and mention of sexual assault.

This production also uses flashing lights.

Hello and welcome to our show! When Mack first approached me about working on this play it immediately caught my eye. I’m not as familiar with Dungeons and Dragons, but I loved the elements of the show that are tied to it like, dramedy, found family, storytelling, and more. It has been such an adventure putting on this show. Everyone involved relates and connects with the material in their own way and it makes me happy to finally get to share this with an audience.

This play blends Athens, Ohio with the fantasy of New Landia. This results in an interesting breakdown of not realizing how much someone or something can impact you, real or fictional. A lot of pieces of media like D&D can serve as an escape from your own world but a way to explore what you’re going through and find some commonality with it. I’m glad this play was able to happen, and that all of its humor, creativity, 90s pop culture references (that we totally understand), and other idiosyncrasies will be shared with people who will be able to relate to this story. I’ve found support in our team like Tilly does with her party and I’m very lucky to have been surrounded by such funny, passionate, and caring individuals. I wouldn’t be as comfortable identifying as nonbinary if it weren’t for them and others on this campus. Thank you all for coming, and enjoy a game like no other.

–Noel Holmgren

Welcome to New Landia! Thank you all for coming to tonight’s show. When I first inquired after directing a full-length show for my senior project, She Kills Monsters was basically the first one to pop into my head; Nguyen’s work work is bright, witty, sharp, and heartfelt, and speaks to me immensely, as a person who has dealt with grief, as a young queer person, as an outcast and a geek and simply someone who loves Dungeons and Dragons.

She Kills Monsters is a story about finding connection and family, where you didn’t expect it, and also where you didn’t realize it has been all along. I am proud to say that those who have committed to bringing this show to life with me have been nothing short of a family, and the most wonderful people to find connection with that I ever could have imagined.

She Kills Monsters is about embracing the outsider, the weird and surreal, the gimmicky and preposterous. We’ve tried to build gimmick and heart both into our show, and every step along the way has been joyful and exuberant. I hope tonight, you open your hearts for Agnes and Tilly, their party and their friends and their lovers and their enemies alike. May your encounters be fruitful, may all your crits land, and may you collect enough experience to last you a lifetime.

–Mack Gomes

Aaron Levesque (Light Board Op) is a THP student.

Alice Palmer (“Lilith”) is a senior. She is overjoyed to be performing in She Kills Monsters. She is a double major in theater performance/literature. She proudly comes from Morristown, New Jersey. She has performed in many ensemble roles in the past, and recently My Body, My Health, My Choice (“Kira”). In her spare time she enjoys participating in SUNY Purchase’s show choir, Crescendo, and endlessly reading books. She would like to thank the wonderful cast and crew that has worked with her on this production and her cats for being the best support system ever. It has been a joy to bring this story to life.

Andrew Alford (Composer) is a Junior Studio Composition major.

Billy Arrowsmith (“Chuck”) is a handsome stranger with a mysterious past. Sometimes you see a glint of memory in his smoldering eyes and wonder what exactly it is he’s running from. Whatever happened to him, right now he seems like a good man who’s trying to start over and do things right. That’s what matters. He’s building a new life here. You know you’d protect him if you had to. Maybe one day he’ll hold you with those big safe arms. Maybe one day he’ll learn to trust you.

Brisa Nunes (“Agnes”) is from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is in her senior year as a Theatre and Performance major. She was part of many productions before, and recently, she acted in No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai and What If If Only by Caryl Churchill. Brisa is very proud of works and projects she has been in, and she couldn’t be more grateful to be working in such an amazing project that is She Kills Monsters. Brisa is extremely proud of her colleague’s hard work and dedication, she is thankful to be part of this production and happy to be trusted by the directors. She also says thank you for all the support her friends and family gave her, and hopes that everyone is as proud as she is.

Cayd Barrera (“Miles”) is a third year BA theatre and performance student from Cape Cod, MA. Purchase credits include:Frame(D) (Light Crew/Board Op),Crystal Clear the Musical (Assistant Director), No Longer Human (Lighting Design), My Body, My Health, My Choice! (Avery), Fefu and Her Friends (Sue), and Pie Day (Production Manager) as well as a number of Purchase student films. They are so excited to be a part of this production! They want to thank their friends, family, and Jorin and Kim and the rest of the production team. And dragons. We mustn’t forget dragons.

Dana Freeman (Sound Board Op) is delighted to be part of She Kills Monsters! Dana (she/her) is a Theatre and Performance Major and is working towards minors in Playwriting and Literature. Dana wears many hats (in theatre and in general) including acting, directing, and stage management on shows at SUNY Purchase and during her high school years overseas. She enjoys chocolate mousse cake, sleep, and making lists (especially ones with parentheses). She would like to thank you (the reader) and hopes you enjoy the wonderful show!

Zia Williams (“Kalliope/Kelly”) is honored to be giving life to such an important story with such a passionate cast and crew. Her recent credits include Aldonza (Man of La Manch) and Anne Sullivan (The Miracle Worker). She is a Theater and Performance Major at SUNY Purchase, and has trained with Lincoln center in vocals. In addition she has studied Noh theater in her time abroad in Japan.

Emmett Engarde (Composer) is very cool and fun and absolutely overjoyed to be a composer for She Kills Monsters. Known for his previous compositional work on songs such as Left Shark’s Lament and Kill The Spider-Man, Emmett also wrote and composed music for Danganronpa: The Deadly Musical, a video game musical adaptation presented on YouTube to an audience of over seven viewers. (A lot of people.) In his spare time, Emmett can be found building Lego sets or standing dramatically at the top of a staircase. He is also currently struggling to open a string cheese package, but that’s neither here nor there.

Gabriel Berger (Composer) is a freshman Creative Writing major.

Grace Cavanagh (Run Crew) is a junior majoring in Theater and Performance.

Isabella Moncada (Run Crew) is a junior THP major / Literature minor

Jagger Clark (Composer) is thrilled to be part of She Kills Monsters! Jagger is from Irvington, NY and is a Studio Composition major in his senior year. He specializes in writing music for film and has created scores in works such as Emma Keating’s The Ooze and Victor Barsotti’s Bruises, along with others. When not composing for outside work, he often is working on his story, The Fallen King for which he creates music videos. Otherwise, he is an avid film and video game fan and greatly enjoys stories of all kinds! He is extremely grateful to be part of this production and would like to give a special thanks to his supporting mother and friends!

Jorin Clougherty (Stage Manager) is excited to be a part of She Kills Monsters! Jorin is a THP junior from Ithaca, NY, who enjoys weeping, drinking Earl Grey tea, and holding rocks. Past Purchase credits include Frame(D) (“Amethyst”), Crystal Clear (Stage Manager), and Pie Day (“Addy”). Jorin would like to thank the directors, Mack and Noel, his wonderful co-SM, Kim, and the whole cast and crew. Enjoy the show!

Kim Crossway (Stage Manager / Composer / Prop Master) is honored to be part of this production of She Kills Monsters. Kim is a junior in THP from Schenectady, NY who quite enjoys music and video games, and is the OGRE club Vice President. Kim has previously ASM’d with Consortium Actors at Siena College for a production of Hairspray. Purchase Credits include: Life After Cali (“Katelyn”), Marisol (“Homeless Ensemble”), How I Learned To Drive (Crew/MVP), and is a member of the Crescendo Show Choir. She wants to thank everyone who’s been a part of this production, and hopes the audience enjoys our fantasy world!!

Kirry Kaufer (“Farrah” / “Tina” / “Narrator”) is honored to be part of She Kills Monsters! Kirry is a creative writing major in their junior year of college from Queens, New York. She Kills Monsters will be her first Purchase theater credit! In her spare time, Kirry enjoys writing, drawing, playing video games, and cosplaying. She would like to thank the crew of She Kills Monsters for being very welcoming and supportive. Enjoy the show!

Lee Giove (“Steve”/Fight Captain) is so honored to be a part of She Kills Monsters! Lee is a THP major from Staten Island who loves music, video games, DnD and eating insane amounts of sushi. Lee is excited to go on to star in Purchase’s The Attic (“Girl”). Lee is very thankful to the cast and crew for this wonderful opportunity and hopes that everyone leaves the show wanting to fight some five-headed dragons!

Lily Wolpert (Tilly) (she/her) is a sophomore theatre major and screenwriting minor. Her past roles include Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (“Zoom”), Taming of the Shrew (“Baptista”), Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (“Player”), and Brothers Grimm’s Spectaculathon (“Girl/Snow White”). Lily is the PR officer for Purchase’s improv team and is a part of the school’s sketch comedy club. Lily would like to thank Mack and Noel, the rest of the cast, her family, and her friends for supporting her throughout this show, and she’d like to give a special shout out to her sister for always being there, in-between the times we wanted to kill each other. I couldn’t tell this story without you.

Matthew Lazzarino (“Orcus”) is a Junior majoring in Theatre and Performance along with a minor in Playwriting. Coming from Yardley, Pennsylvania, Matt is more than happy to have She Kills Monsters be his first performance on campus. Along with this, he will continue performing in The Attic (“Red Cap”) this spring semester. Matt loves singing, video games, and is an aficionado of Wawa. He would like to thank his amazing cast and crew that have followed along on this journey along with his wonderful directors and stage managers. It couldn’t be done without them. It isn’t common to get to be a nerd on stage, but also wield a weapon and eat cheese whiz? Hell yeah.

Sydnee Rose Ferretti (“Vera” / “Evil Gabbi” / “Beholder” / Choreographer ) is so honored to be chosen to choreograph as well as play such amazing roles. Sydnee is a performer from Cornwall on Hudson, New York. There she established a love for the arts at a young age, performing in many plays and musicals in her community. Some of Sydnee’s credits include 42nd street (“Anytime Annie”), Krowd Kings In and Out music video (“Dancer”) and Beauty and The Beast Jr (Choreographer). Sydnee’s background is in acting, singing and dancing. Sydnee is currently in her Senior year at SUNY Purchase majoring in Theatre and Performance and minoring in Arts Management. She is a licensed cosmetologist and a certified makeup artist, graduating from the Makeup Designery in 2019. Sydnee has designed makeup and hairstyles for a series of beauty and fashion photoshoots, as well as worked on several short films. Sydnee would like to thank Mack and Noel and the rest of the wonderful cast for making this such a fun experience, as well as all her family and friends that have supported her throughout her life. Sydnee can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Mack Gomes (Director) is beyond overjoyed to be bringing the world of New Landia to life. Mack is a THP senior who is honored to have made She Kills Monsters her senior project. Past Purchase theatrical endeavors include Crystal Clear (“Mom/Pandora”) and Pie Day (Director/ Playwright). Mack would like to thank Noel, Brisa, and Alice for being the best collaborators there are, her incredible stage managers Jorin and Kim, her parents and faculty for being their biggest support, and the entire rest of the She Kills Monsters cast and crew for making this show a striking reality. Hope you enjoy!

Noel Holmgren (Director) is delighted to be able to bring She Kills Monsters to life! Noel is a fourth year theatre and performance major and double minor in arts management and playwriting from Valhalla, New York. Their previous Purchase credits include The Most Beautiful Suicide (Assistant Director), Songwriting for the Musical Showcase 2022 (Lyricist/Performer) and Hunter X Hollingsworth & Friends: Who Tells Your Story? (Director). Noel would like to thank Mack, Jorin and Kim, Brisa and Alice, the rest of the cast and crew, faculty, friends, and family for this opportunity!

In our teaching and art, the Conservatory values inclusiveness, equality, and excellence. Upholding all of our training is our aim to train and graduate citizen artists: multifaceted people with a strong sense of purpose in approaching an arts education.

What is a citizen artist? Citizen artists seek to discover how their unique voices can contribute to our world. They understand what it means to be an artist, and what they are here on earth to say and do and make.

The Conservatory trains future citizen artists in three degree programs:

+ BFA Actor Training. The BFA is an intensive professional training program offered to a highly select and diverse group of students. The professional training is anchored in four years of study in acting, voice, speech, and movement, complemented by offerings in dramatic literature and analysis, history of the theatre, stage combat, improvisation, mask work, acting for the camera, and the business of acting. As one of five schools in the Consortium of Professional Theatre Training Programs, Purchase is one of a handful of colleges in the world capable of training artists at this level—and of drawing a faculty from the ranks of professional theatre

+ BFA in Theatre Design/Technology. Emphasizing studio and classroom training, our professional training program in theatre design/technology gives students the guidance and support of established and theatre industry professionals. Many of our alumni are recognized at the top of their field, and have received Tony, Emmy, Obie, and Drama Desk Awards, among other honors. Quite literally, Purchase grads are working in or have worked in every theatre on Broadway, in all tristate venues, and with countless touring productions

+ BA program in Theatre and Performance. From traditional theatre to cutting-edge interdisciplinary work, the theatre and performance major encourages creativity, intellectual curiosity, social engagement, and critical thinking. The core requirements combine scholarship and practice to provide students with a strong foundation in theatre history and dramatic literature, with mandatory stagecraft/production courses. Theatre and Performance majors are encouraged to expand the scope of their education by studying abroad, as well as pursuing coursework in other programs of study within the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Purchase College