SKM Program

DEPARTMENT OF PERFORMING ARTS

SKls

BY

Qui Nguyen

STARRING:

Aiden Abiuso, Alexa Boyes, Daniel David, Lois Divoll, Erik Everitt, Mia Hernandez, Macie Perry, Leyna Phung, Ben Robare, Natalie Russo, Maya Seipel, Mickie Te, Mary Elizabeth Ulses, Jia Weingard, Sabrina Winford

She Kills Monsters

STAGEMANAGER

Hannah Herman

ARTISTICDIRECTOR

Nick Anselmo

COSTUMEDESIGNER

Becky Wetzel

PuppetDesigner

Pat Ahearn

MARKETINGDIRECTOR

Dahlia Ufberg

ASSTSTAGEMANAGER

Layan Mouhamed PRODUCTIONMANAGER

Paul Jerue

SCENICDESIGNER

Michael Lambui

FIGHTDIRECTOR

Oliver Donahue

COMMUNICATIONSDIRECTOR

Eitan Barkat

Aiden Abiuso, Mia Hernandez, Mary Elizabeth Ulses

ASSTSTAGEMANAGER

Sophie Rutan ASSTPRODUCTIONMANAGER

Sophia Hannah LIGHTINGDESIGNER

JoJo Glodek

PROPSMASTER

Amanda Hatch

GRAPHICDESIGNER

Ava Jade Dandrea

ASSTDIRECTOR

Nix Aronowitz

TECHNICALDIRECTOR

Chris Totora SOUNDDESIGNER

Eliana Fabiyi

STAGEMANAGEMENTCONSULTANT

Melody Wong

OriginalSong“LostinLonging”

Tanisha Shibu Thomas DanceChoreography

Nix Aronowitz, Hannah Herman FightCaptains

DIRECTIONBY AbbyWeissman

“She Kills Monsters” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc wwwconcordtheatricalscom

First produced in New York City at The Flea Theater. Jim Simpson, Artistic Director; Carol Ostrow, Producing Director

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://concordtheatricalscom/resources/protecting-artists

Asst Technical Director

Will Lazar

Light Board Op

Amelia Hooker

Puppet Wrangler

Grace Weachter

Asst Prop Master/ Scenic Artist

Audrey Ling

Wardrobe

Ren Monroy

CREW

Master Electrician

Frankie LaBelle

Sound Op

Connor Daniels

Costume Shop Asst

Harang Kang

Asst Scenic Artist

Nikola Zvonik

Production Technician

Rick Connor

Asst Master Electrician

Avery Shope

Fly Rail/Run Crew

Jason Adams

Costume Shop Asst

Bella Metzer

Asst Prop Master

Kayla Donaldson

Production Technician

Natalie Sager

Audio Supervisor

Allie Bilger

Deck/Run Crew

Esme Mohatt

Costume Shop Asst

John Hazlett

Wardrobe

Tessa Jones

Production Technician

Katie Yarrish

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The land on which Drexel University stands and upon which we gather is part of the traditional territory of the Lenape called “Lenapehoking” (pronunciation: Lun-nah-pay-ho-king) It is here that the people called the 'grandfather tribe' and the 'peacemakers' have lived their lives, spoken their language, and held their ceremonies for thousands of years Indeed, Lenape is translated as “real or original person” During the colonial and early federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain in their homeland The Lenape were subjected to 250 years of colonization that included cultural suppression and erasure, forced removal from this land and continue to experience systemic discrimination and marginalization

Acknowledging this history, our opportunity to be on this land, and the Lenape tribe's continued presence, is consistent with Drexel University’s mission We openly recognize the Lenape tribe as the original inhabitants of eastern Pennsylvania, as well as their continuing presence and relationship with their territory We acknowledge the Lenape people as the Indigenous stewards of their homelands as well as the spiritual keepers of the Lenape Sipu, or Delaware River, and Drexel University does hereby commit to actively supporting our Lenape community members in whatever way we are able, helping to maintain the Indigenous cultural identity of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and southern New York We hope that, by recognizing this Indigenous history, it will inspire you to think about your place on this land, and engage in efforts to promote a community that values strengthening of Indigenous communities, here and elsewhere

WELCOME FROM THE DEPARTMENT

Welcome and thank you for coming to this high-energy dramatic comedy filled with adventure, great sword battles, sibling relationships, and tears that celebrates the “Geek Warrior in All of Us.” We produced this show a few years ago and wanted to revisit it because the issues it tackles seem just as important today as they did in 2018 and Dungeons & Dragons is awesome.

The show is presented by the talented students of the Drexel Theatre Company Theatre is a collaborative art form, and I am proud to say that more than 81 students who come from all over the University and represent at least 42 different majors have collaborated to make this show a reality. Students work on all aspects of our productions from building the scenery, assisting the professional directors, choreographers and designers, to setting up and running the lights and sound, and managing many of the administrative elements that go into putting on a production of this scale Our students come from diverse backgrounds, with different skills, aspirations and dreams, but they join together to form a community with one purpose: to entertain and enlighten us all on the issues that they feel are important to the world we live in. These students are joined by some of the most gifted professional theatre artists in Philadelphia led by the talented director, Abby Weissman

We are so fortunate to be able to provide these opportunities for our students, who continue to rise to the challenge of presenting relevant, thoughtprovoking plays that celebrate the people who make up this great City and University. We hope you enjoy tonight’s show, and that you will come back for one of our upcoming productions and Theatre Program Showcases In the winter we present 8-short whimsical plays written by the young students of Belmont Charter School and the Mantua Theater Project. Then join us this spring for the Broadway musical Little Women.

At the end of each quarter we feature performances by students from our Musical Theater Cabaret and Solo Acting Ensemble as well as comedy from our Advanced Improv Ensemble You can find information about all the Department of Performing Arts events in Dance, Music and Theatre at www.drexel.edu/performingarts.

With warm regards

Nick Anselmo Theatre Program Director

Dr Miriam Giguere Department Head Department of Performing Arts

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

I have rarely encountered a story so suited to the medium in which it is being told as She Kills Monsters In the making of this play, we have used the same skills as the characters - telling stories, activating imagination (and therefore empathy), and embracing challenges.

This play reminds me of how all of it fits together - our laughter, grief, strength, and regrets. It reminds me how it is an act of love to create stories and worlds for our loved ones to inhabit, and how lucky each of us are to be able to share those stories and worlds, live, with everyone here today.

The show you are about to see is created and made whole through the work and passion of so many fabulous young people - those you see onstage, and those who worked in the rehearsal room, backstage, and in the shops. Their energy, humor, and commitment have inspired me each day.

I can’t wait for you to experience the adventures that Athens, Ohio, and Newlandia have in store. Thank you for being here, and for participating in the telling of our collective story.

Enjoy the show!

Abby

CAST

AGNES........................................................................... Maya Seipel

TILLY............................................................................ Jia Weingard

CHUCK....................................................................... Aiden Abiuso

MILES.............................................................................. Ben Robare

LILITH................................................................... Sabrina Winford

KALIOPE....................................................................... Macie Perry

ORCUS................................................................................ Mickie Te

VERA.................................................................................Alexa Boyes

EVIL TINA..................................................Mary Elizabeth Ulses

EVIL GABBI..........................................................Mia Hernandez

FARRAH.................................................................... Leyna Phung

STEVE.......................................................................... Daniel David

NARRATOR.................................................................... Lois Divoll

MONSTERS................................ Erik Everitt, Natalie Russo

CONTENT WARNINGS

Please be advised that this show centers on queer characters and contains mature/strong language/homophobic slurs and depictions of anti-gay bullying, as well as discussions of grief. Theatrical smoke is used during the show.

Theshowrunsapproximately90minuteswithnointermission. **Actorswillbemakingentrancesthroughtheaisles. Pleasekeeptheaislesclearthroughouttheshow**

SPECIAL THANKS

MikeAbiuso,OliverDonahue,EllieEbby,CarolineLeipf,LivShoup,Chris Totora,Dr.MiriamGiguere,LaurenTracy&PaulJerue

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST

AIDEN ABIUSO (Chuck Biggs) is thrilled to be playing Chuck Biggs (Also known as DM Biggs) in this production of She Kills Monsters! He would like to thank his friends, Mom, Dad, brother, sister, and his lovely partner, Lauren, for their unending love and support

ALEXA BOYES (Vera) is a sophomore product design major at Drexel She is thrilled to return to the Mandell stage for this production of She Kills Monsters! Her recent credits include the Mantua Theater Project and Urinetown: The Musical. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support!

DANIEL DAVID (Steve) is a second-year student excited to make his debut on the Drexel stage! Daniel has loved theater since he was a kid and is grateful to share the stage with such an amazingly talented cast and crew.

LOIS DIVOLL (Narrator) is a 4th year Math major Recent Drexel and local productions include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and Heroes of the Fourth Turning If Lois could pick anyone to narrate her life it would be David Attenborough

ERIK EVERITT (Monsters) is exhilarated to be in his first theatrical production Having been both Player and DM for D&D, this production caught his interest. Having spent sixteen of his twenty-one years in martial arts, he couldn't be prouder of his fellow cast and their fight-work.

MIA HERNANDEZ (Evil Gabbi) is a fourth year psychology major and this is my second mainstage production following Urinetown. I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing cast, and thankful to my friends and family for constantly supporting me

MACIE PERRY (Kaliope) is a Psychology major and actor but is most importantly a girl-nerd Recent projects: Urinetown (Drexel University), Faker (student film, dir Matthew Lacy), Derailed (Drexel Players) Special thanks to D&D Compendium, Dice Maiden, and Redcap’s Corner! (And to loved ones for seeing the show, of course)

LEYNA PHUNG (Farrah) is a first-year student and Neuroscience major at Drexel University, meaning this is her very first college show! She's grateful to have had an overwhelmingly positive first impression of Drexel Theater, and she is thrilled to continue her adventure in the performing arts world.

BEN ROBARE (Miles) is a Mechanical Engineering student. Recently, Ben has featured as Kevin in Heroes of the Fourth Turning directed by Maya Seipel, Senator Fipp in Urinetown at Drexel, and Roger in Curious Incident at Drexel Ben loves playing DnD, and he is super excited to discover it again as Miles

NATALIE RUSSO (Monsters) is a second year Mechanical Engineering major, and She Kills Monsters will be her first performance in a Drexel University mainstage! She is so excited to introduce her family, her friends, and many others to such an epic and emotional show. Wonderful job to everyone who worked on SKM!

MAYA SEIPEL (Agnes) is overjoyed to be killing monsters in her very last play on the Drexel Mainstage! Maya adores (performing, creating, watching) Philadelphia theatre. Some past credits: Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Dir.), The Curious Incident (Judy), Urinetown (Soupy Sue), Clue (Mrs Peacock) Thank you to the friends and family whose love makes all things possible

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST

MICHAEL “MICKIE” TE (Orcus) is thrilled to be part of this epic adventure with the SKM Team! A senior public health major, they’re glad they got another chance to perform at Drexel. Mickie wants to thank his D&D party for cheering him on (Ka-Chris!) and his friends for teaching him everything he knows

MARY ELIZABETH ULSES (Evil Tina, Fight Captain, and Social Captain) is ecstatic to be back on Drexel’s mainstage Previous credits include Urinetown (Little Becky Two-Shoes), Pippin (Catherine), and Mamma Mia (Sophie) When they are not on stage, they write, film, and produce art across campus. She would like to thank her parents for their support. Love you!

JIA WEINGARD (Tilly) is beyond ecstatic to be a part of She Kills Monsters. Recent credits include: Urinetown..., The Curious Incident..., Clue: On Stage (Drexel University), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Hedgerow Theater). She'd like to thank the cast, crew, and creative team for making this a wonderful process and her parents for being her biggest supporters To nerds, dorks, geeks, and the like: You are awesome and you are loved! Rock on!

SABRINA WINFORD (Lillith) is a fourthyear Criminology and Justice Studies student This production is her first mainstage show at Drexel University! She also performs in the Drexel cappella group The Cleftomaniacs! She would like to thank the Drexel theatre community and the cast and crew of this production for a wonderful fall!

WHO’S WHO IN THE

CREW

AND ARTISTIC TEAM

NIX ARONOWITZ (Asst Director) is incredibly excited to be part of this production. This was their first time being in this position on a project this large, and it could not have been a better experience. You may recognize them from Urinetown and the Mantua Theatre Project at Drexel, as well as student sketch club Drexel Night Live They would like to give a huge thank you to the cast, the stage management team, and of course, Abby Weissman, for creating such an awesome (badass) show!

Eliana Fabiyi (Sound Design) is sound designer, musician and actor based in Philadelphia. Recent sound designs include The Great American Gunshow (Team Sunshine), Playboy of the Western World and Meet Me at Dawn (Inis Nua). Recent performances include The Hobbit (Arden Theatre Company), Philly Baby Jam (Ninth Planet) and Forehand Down the Line (Thomas Choinacky). Her original work includes La Otra (Tanaquil Márquez and 1812 Productions) and SEDER (with Amy Shoshana Blumberg) Eliana is a graduate of the École Jacques Lecoq in Paris and of Case Western Reserve University Shout out to Tanisha, Allie and Connor for their work on this project!

FRANKIE LABELLE (Production) is a third year Entertainment and Arts Management major at Drexel They have been focusing on lighting for the past two quarters and have loved the opportunity to take on the role of Master Electrician.

WHO’S WHO CREW & ARTISTIC TEAM

QUI NYGUYEN (Playwright) is a playwright, screenwriter, and co-founder of the Obie Award-winning Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company of NYC

His plays include Vietgone (2016 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award, 2016 LADCC Tim Schmitt Award, 2016 Edward M Kennedy Prize finalist); War is F**king Awesome (Frederick Loewe Award); She Kills Monsters (2014 AATE Distinguished Play Award, 2012 GLAAD Media Award nom); Soul Samurai (2009 GLAAD Media Award nom); and the critically acclaimed Vampire Cowboys shows: The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G, Alice in Slasherland, Fight Girl Battle World, Men of Steel, Six Rounds of Vengeance and Living Dead in Denmark.

Recent awards include a 2016 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program (Peg+Cat) and a 2015 New York Community Trust Helen Merrill Playwriting Award He is proud member of the WGA,

The Dramatists Guild, The Playwrights Center, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and The Ma-Yi Writers Lab He’s an alumnus of New Dramatists and Youngblood For television, he's written for PBS’s Peg+Cat and SYFY’s Incorporated. Currently, he’s a screenwriter for Marvel Studios.

TANISHA SHIBU THOMAS (Original Composition “Lost in Longing”) is a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering. From studying classical pieces to performing in bands to composing my own music, she has been building an intuitive approach to creating resonating melodies and music that speaks when we find ourselves at a loss for words In the future, she hopes to share stories through music and theatre She also wants to give a special thanks to Nick Anselmo, Eliana Fabiyi and the theatre department for giving me the opportunity to pursue this dream of hers

ABBY WEISSMAN (Director) is a director, intimacy professional, educator, arts administrator (and more!) based in Philadelphia She is a company member of Revolution Shakespeare, and a proud alumnus of Northwestern University and the Arden Professional Apprentice Program Most recently, Abby has spent her time coordinating free teen performing arts programming with Opera Philadelphia Her upcoming directing projects include Little Women with Hedgerow Theatre Company and Inheritors with Philadelphia Artists’ Collective. Thank you to Drexel and the incredible students involved in this production. Love to the BBLGS.

BECKY WETZEL (Costume Design) is a multi-talented visual and textile artist based in Philadelphia Pa. She received her BA and MFA from Temple University for Technical Theater with a focus in Costume Design She also received an A F A from Montgomery County Community College with a concentration in painting Her most recent past productions have been Young Frankenstein at Media Theater, Ragtime at Candlelight Theater and SpongeBob Jr at Upper Darby Summer Stage and Goblin Market at Temple University Her upcoming productions include Inheritors at PAC and Drexel Dance. She wishes to thank the cast and production team for always being joys to work with.

DEPARTMENT OF PERFORMING ARTS

DepartmentHead

Dr.MiriamGiguere ProgramDirectors

LukeAbruzzo Music

NickAnselmo Theatre

JenniferMorley Dance

AdministrativeStaff

EllieEbby DepartmentAssistant

HannahBurke DepartmentAdministrator

CarolineLeipf MandellTheaterManagingDirector

ElishaRobinson PerformingArtsGraduateAssistant

LivShoup AudienceServicesCoordinator

LaurenTracy EnsembleProductionAssociate

ProductionStaff

PaulJerue TheatreProductionManager/ BlackBoxTheaterTechnicalDirector

AsakiKuruma CostumeShopManager

ChrisTotora MandellTheaterTechnicalDirector

DREXEL THEATRE COMPANY MEMBERS

Aiden Abiuso.............................................................................................................Computer Science

Jason Adams.............................................................................................Computing & Security Tech

Nix Aronowitz................................................................................................................Music Industry

Josh Atkinson........................................................................................................................Psychology

Ben Bailey...........................................................................................................Behavioral Economics

Rhea Balajikumar.................................................................................................................Psychology

Eitan Barkat...........................................................................................................................Marketing

Serena Barone...............................................................................................................Communication

Allie Bilger......................................................................................................................Music Industry

Alexa Boyes.....................................................................................................................Product Design

Anael Brodski..........................................................................................Entertainment & Arts Mgmt

Piper Chen....................................................................................................Architectural Engineering

Rick Connor........................................................................................................................Architecture

Dylan Crespo.............................................................................................................Business Analytics

Connor Daniels........................................................................................................Biological Sciences

Daniel David..............................................................................................................Computer Science

Lois Divoll..........................................................................................................................Mathematics

Kayla Donaldson...................................................................................Animation and Visual Effects

Kai Doron..........................................................................................................Environmental Science

Jonah Elburn...........................................................................................Entertainment & Arts Mgmt

Erik Everitt...............................................................................Interdisciplinary Professional Studies

Sasha Gomulka......................................................................................................................Pyschology

Spencer Gordon............................................................................................................Communication

Will Groschopp...............................................................................................Still Deciding - Business

Mylo Gumbs................................................................................................Screenwriting/Playwriting

Alex Hartley................................................................................................................Film & Television

Sophia Hannah......................................................................................................................Marketing

John Hazlett..................................................................................................................Fashion Design

Hannah Herman.......................................................................................................Entrepreneurship

Cole Herrmann......................................................................................Entertainment & Arts Mgmt

Amelia Hooker...............................................................................................................Fashion Design

Abigail Insana..........................................................................................................Biological Sciences

Tessa Jones.....................................................................................................................Fashion Design

Declan Joyce...............................................................................................................Film & Television

Harang Kang..........................................................................................Animation and Visual Effects

Frankie Labelle.......................................................................................Entertainment & Arts Mgmt

Will Lazar.......................................................................................................................Music Industry

Milo Linares....................................................................................................Mechanical Engineering

Kasey Lim.......................................................................................................................Music Industry

Audrey Ling.........................................................................................................................Architecture

Sofya Lobzova....................................................................................................International Business

Sam Macris................................................................................................................Computer Science

DREXEL THEATRE COMPANY MEMBERS

Anthony Finn McNamara.........................................................................................................English

Bella Meltzer.................................................................................................................Fashion Design

Esme Mohatt..........................................................................................Entertainment & Arts Mgmt

Layan Mouhamed.....................................................................................................................Finance

Symone Patterson.........................................................................................................Music Industry

Serena Pearl.................................................................................................................Political Science

Macie Perry...........................................................................................................................Psychology

Leyna Phung.....................................................................................................................Neuroscience

Emmett Portnoy...................................................................................................................Animation

Evan Redl..............................................................................................................................Marketing

Ben Robare....................................................................................................Mechanical Engineering

Natalie Russo.................................................................................................Mechanical Engineering

Sophie Rutan.................................................................................................Mechanical Engineering

Molly Sample.........................................................................................Entertainment & Arts Mgmt

Rafi Sanchez..................................................................................................................Music Industry

Piper Santos..........................................................................................................................Economics

Irina Scaduto-Mendola...............................................................................................Product Design

Scarlett Scanlon....................................................................................Animation and Visual Effects

Maya Seipel...............................................................................................Design and Merchandising

Patrick Shelffo....................................................................................................Sociology/Economics

Avery Shope...................................................................................Electrical/Computer Engineering

Jake Simmons...............................................................................................Mechanical Engineering

Dallas Smith.....................................................................................................................................Law

Abby Swaney........................................................................................................................Psychology

Krzysztof Swieton..........................................................................................Biomedical Engineering

Kiara Thompson.....................................................................................Environmental Engineering

Dahlia Ufberg........................................................................................................................Marketing

Dylan Ugel.....................................................................................................................Music Industry

Mary Elizabeth Ulses ..............................................................................................Film & Television

Anastasiya Vasilenko...........................................................................................................Psychology

Grace Weachter.........................................................................................Screenwriting/Playwriting

Jia Weingard........................................................................................................................Psychology

Justin Williams.............................................................................................................Music Industry

Sabrina Winford..............................................................................Criminology and Justice Studies

Katie Yarrish..........................................................................................Entertainment & Arts Mgmt

Andrey Yip..............................................................................................Entertainment & Arts Mgmt

Nikola Zvonik...................................................................................................UGLaw/Business Law

UPCOMING PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS

END-OF-TERM THEATRE SHOWCASE - FALL

December 6, 2025 | URBN Annex Black Box Theater

Musical Theatre Cabaret| 5:00 PM

Solo Performance Ensemble| 7:00 PM

Advanced Improv| 8:30 PM

EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE

November 20, 2025 | 5:00 PM | Leonard Pearlstein Gallery

CHAMBER STRINGS

December 2 2025 | 7:30 PM | Main Auditorium

FUSION BAND & ROCK ENSEMBLE

December 2, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater

JAZZ ORCHESTRA & JAZZTET

December 4, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater

DREXEL UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

December 5, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Main Auditorium

ALL-COLLEGE CHOIR AND CHAMBER BRASS AND WINDS

December 6, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Main Auditorium

DREXEL UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR

December 6, 2025 | 7:00 PM | Mandell Theater

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

December 7, 2025 | 1:00 PM | Creese Lobby

UNIVERSITY CHORUS AND CHAMBER SINGERS

December 7, 2025 | 3:00 PM | Great Court in Main Building

CONCERT BAND

December 7, 2025 | 7:00 PM | Mandell Theater