Director’s Notes
Welcome adventurers, to the mythical land of NewLandia! Shatterbox Theatre Company is elated to bring the wonders of Dungeons and Dragons to the stage with this production of She Kills Monsters by Qui Nyguen. The mission to bring unconventional, reimagined, and inspired theatre to Prince Edward County truly comes alive in this staging of a daring tale of family, grief, and nerdidom.
As a proud Girl-Nerd, Dungeon Master, and overall geek, I have a strong appreciation for the game, the art of theatre, and the healing properties that come from collective expression. The process of grief is unilaterally understood in varying degrees. Some losses are sudden, and jarring, like what Agnes experiences. Others are smaller and incremental over time. This experience is universal, but the methods in which we choose to deal with that loss is unique.
This production of She Kills Monsters centres around the love of collaborative creativity and the bonds that are forged through the dramaturgical process. This was a joy to witness and guide this cast and crew as they delved into the story and uncovered how they’d bring their characters to life. Finding moments of understanding in their characters’ struggles, their triumph, and infusing them with their individual insights.
A line from Tilly became a focus for us: “This is DnD, not therapy”. It’s interesting and at odds with the overall story.
Escapism and creating a character outside yourself to explore a fantasy realm is how many players start, but ultimately pieces of ourselves weave themselves into the fabric of our every decision, NewLandia or otherwise.
Regarding design and production, our team took inspiration from the DIY aspect of Live Action Role-Playing (LARPing) and fantasy culture – the feel of something homemade but made with care and thought. Much like Tilly’s world of NewLandia, built out of imagination and a love for the craft.
Not only were we fortunate enough to partner with theROC, but numerous community members at the Department of Illumination studio space. This team of volunteers created the majority of our weapons, our monsters, and most notably, our five dragons. The endless hours that were put in by cast members, volunteers, and stage crew to bring the vision of these creatures to life is immeasurable, but more so the passion and investment required of everyone involved during the gruelling paper-mâché marathons.
The poster and graphic design by Tim Snyder melded the vision with the feel and nostalgia of the original DnD materials. Mixing those designs, concepts, and motifs with the online wizardry of the web design from Kristen Kriens really rounded out this powerhouse of a design team on all fronts.
We were also fortunate to have the skills of Lauren Lafayette Brooks on our side in the development, workshopping, and planning of all the stage combat and weapons skills you see on stage.
The visual designs provided the concept construction, but none of this could be physically constructed without the build team, lead by the one and only, Sean Ferguson. Sean and Nella, with the help of our stage crew, had a lot of work and very little time to transform the FlexSpace of the library into the fantasy landscape before you. Their achievements are nothing short of dazzling.
Regarding dazzling achievements, Phil Dowling stepped into two roles as both the Production Manager and designer of the world-bending lighting for Athens Ohio. His no-nonsense approach has resulted in a remarkable blend of reality, fantasy, DIY, and nostalgia.
My gratitude to the team is challenging to put into words, but my thanks extend far beyond the creators mentioned here. They truly have outdone themselves. We had volunteers working on cloaks, prop sourcing, merch-building, and beyond. One of the best aspects of producing this show has been the hordes of talented nerds eager to help bring it to life.
She Kills Monsters reminds us that even when we retreat into fantasy, we’re actually finding the courage to face reality—with heart, humour, and a sword in hand. Whether you’re a lifelong gamer, a theatre lover, or someone grieving a loss of your own, I hope this story offers you a space to laugh, feel, and remember that you’re not alone in your quest.
To everyone who believed in this magical journey, thank you—and may the light of NewLandia shine upon you always.
– Julie Lane, Director