The University of Wisconsin-Superior Theatre Department will present “She Kills Monsters.” Performances, directed by UW-Superior assistant professor of theatre Sean Naughton, will take place at 7:30 p.m. on November 10, 11, 17 and 18, and at 2 p.m. November 12 and 19 in Manion Theater.

“‘She Kills Monsters’ is one of the most popular plays being produced at the university level today and for good reasons.” said Naughton, “It’s about big universal themes that all of us, and particularly young people, are grappling with daily. Things like loss, grief and acceptance – love, and finding the courage to be unashamedly and authentically themselves. I’m so proud of these young people working on this play for how they have grabbed on to these big ideas and flourished in their roles so far in rehearsals. I really think theatre is at its best when it’s asking big questions and starting important conversations about how we are getting along in our communities. Also, people should be excited for the sword fights.”

“She Kills Monsters,” by Qui Nguyen, is an exciting, contemporary piece of theatre about Agnes, a young woman whose younger sister was killed suddenly in a car accident. Driven by grief, and the feeling she never really knew her sister, Agnes begins playing a “Dungeons & Dragons” role-playing game with her sister’s friends and goes on a journey of personal discovery that changes the way she sees the world. “She Kills Monsters” is a funny, heartwarming, theatrical and full of puppets and sword fights dealing with themes of grief, loss, identity and daring to be your most authentic self.

In preparation for the action, UW-Superior students took part in a masterclass at the Duluth Playhouse with Rick Sordelet, UW-Superior alumni and one of the top fight directors in the country. Sordelet also designed and choreographed the extensive combat sequences in the UW-Superior production of “She Kills Monsters.”

“I think the masterclass will help the cast not only safely work on the fight scenes in “She Kills Monsters,” but do it in a way that helps the audience believe what they are seeing,” said Josh Porter, a senior majoring in communicating arts: theatre and digital filmmaking concentration. “The masterclass was also an opportunity to see how one of the best fight choreographers in the country works and how to translate that into a positive work environment.”

Following the opening-night performance on Friday, November 10, the Alumni Association will host a free reception with refreshments.

Tickets for “She Kills Monsters” are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $5 for students with a valid UW-Superior ID. Tickets may be purchased online and at the box office in the Holden Fine Arts Center. Reservations can be made at (715) 394-8369. Manion Theater is in the Holden Fine Arts Center at 1805 Catlin Ave. in Superior.