You don’t have to know how to play the role playing board game Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), but it wouldn’t hurt.
That’s the advice from Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) drama teacher Peter Bonnema about the school’s latest production, She Kills Monsters on Friday, May 26.
The play starts out in the real world of 1995 Athens, Ohio, introducing the audience to two teenage sisters, Agnes and Tilly Evans. Agnes, the older of the siblings is into fashion, makeup and boys, while Tilly prefers to spend her time in the role playing fantasy world of Dungeon and Dragons (D&D).
“It’s kind of an interesting play because it exists on two levels,” Bonnema said. “On one level it’s an exciting Dungeons and Dragons adventure, while on the other hand it is a touching personal story. Agnes makes a wish that she didn’t have such a geeky sister and quickly regrets uttering those words after her sister dies in tragic car accident.”
The play then fast-forwards a couple years to when Agnes comes across her sister’s D&D notebook that outlines a game scenario.
As she reads it with the help of a D&D master, Agnes realizes the story is more than just a game outline.
It’s Tilly’s diary containing her innermost thoughts, but played out in the D&D world.
Although this might sound depressing, Bonnema noted the play is really more of a touching comedy in which Agnes overcomes her guilt and learns about her sister.
When asked about why he chose this play for this group of Grade 10-12 students, Bonnema said there were a number of reasons.
“I am always looking for plays that not only will challenge the students, but resonates with them,” he said, adding surprisingly enough most were D&D fans.
However, more importantly, Bonnema said they really connected with the play’s message of celebrating diversity.
“It’s really about being proud of who you are. It doesn’t matter what you are interested in. If you’re a nerd, and I use the term affectionately because I am one myself, wave your nerd towel proudly,” he said.
Tickets for She Kills Monsters are $5 and are available at the BCHS office. Show time is 7 p.m. at the BCHS drama theatre.