Buffalo Grove High puts on epic battle with ‘She Kills Monsters’
Buffalo Grove High School’s Bison Grove Theatre Company is putting on “She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition” this weekend.
In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 1990s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a homage to the geek and warrior within us all.
Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Oct. 9 and 11, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, in the Miller Theatre at Buffalo Grove High School, 100 W. Dundee Road.
The cast dedicated 40 hours of intensive fight training with acclaimed combat choreographer Lily Blouin, renowned for her expertise in stage combat.
Under her guidance, students developed the precision, discipline, and creativity required to bring the play’s epic battles to life. Their work blends safety with spectacle, ensuring that each clash on stage delivers both dramatic impact and professional-level authenticity.
Each show is brought to life by the talented actors of Buffalo Grove High School, including Natalie Michael, Angelli Manalansan, Evan Michalakos, Peter Kim, Elly Williams, Payton Johnson, Arianna Kanter, Charley Finn, Gia Alexakis, Claire Conseur, Jose Martinez, Faina Bedka, Evan Johnson, Eden Kim, Marlo Ansfield, Riya Bhatt, Mia Charnews, Paige Dasgupta, Anna Dyda, Hazel Gibbs, Alice Gilpin, Maya Ibarra, Lily Nelson, Juneillyz Ruiz Vargas, Julianne Smith, and Paige Timpe.
The production is directed by Bison Grove Theatre’s Beth Wells alongside student director Nina Carter. Technical director Ed Conkle and student technical director Asche Sullivan lead the backstage team, along with audio director Thomas French. The student stage management team includes stage manager Zechariah Smith and assistant stage managers Haley Barbakoff and Thomas Conroy, supported by crew members: Sebastian Bolanos, Zoe Calderaro, Geetika Esarapu, Eliana Fazylov, Carly Goldstein, Payton Hyde, Daniel Jaworski, Payton Johnson, Nathan Kanter, Gabriela Meschbach, Lexi Paulov, Jasmine Petrospour, James Schadegg, Arjun Sharma, Brooklyn Smith, Evelyn Sokolowski, Anastasia Stavrinou, Erin Sylos, and Jethro Woodard.
The costume crew, under the direction of Debbie Andres, features student costume chiefs Cassie Bustos, Rachel Ferber, and Lily O’Malley along with costume crew members Emily Beesley, Kate Barysenka, Paige Dasgupta, Greta Gartland, Jairy Guzman, Perfexion Hayes, Tanya Khamo, Kayla McCloskey, Kaitlyn Quilantan, Viviana Soto, and Ann Zakrevska. Debbie Jacks provides house management.
“She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.
Tickets are $12, available online or at the door. Online tickets for any of the shows include a service charge and may be purchased at GoFan.co. All seating is general admission. The box office opens 60 minutes before curtain time. Cash, checks and credit/debit cards are accepted at the door. For information, call Debbie Jacks (847) 718-4011.