Venice Theatre

Event Guide

SHE KILLS MONSTERS

Young Adventurers Edition

By QUI NGUYEN

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

“She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

QuiNguyen.com

GENERATIONS SEASON SPONSORS

Betty and Ed Campbell

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs
Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues

Director's Note

Struggling to find where you belong isn’t a conundrum only for children and teens or “geek culture.” It is part of the human condition. Who are we? Where do we fit? Why do we fit in? Do we actually fit in, once we’ve found a space? These are all questions that everyone asks themselves… and as soon as most feel they’ve found that space, a demon or a dragon or a doppelgänger (you’ve all met them or heard them in your own heads) will make you battle for that space one more time. This is one of the reasons that I love She Kills Monsters and even more so the “Young Adventurers Edition.” Everyone longs for community and often when typical society labels individuals as “undesirable,” they’re left fighting demons without a team to have their backs. In another dimension the character of Tilly could have decided she wanted to be just like her sister Agnes and then, well, we wouldn’t have a story. But Tilly chooses not to conform - to embrace her uniqueness - and stays true to the things she loves. This opens up a world of friends for her, and through her love for D&D she brings people together & changes lives. It feels idealistic, but we need more people with that mindset. So, take what you will from this story, but here are a few things that I feel are to be learned.

1. Do not wait until it is too late to get to know the loved ones in your life. They probably didn’t leave behind a D&D module for you to get to know them better.

2. Be a Tilly. Someone who travels with others on this journey called life - not because you need them, but because you are a healer of the wounded and defender of light and every community needs at least one of those.

3. Even the strongest warriors have demons that are too strong for them, so look out for the strong ones too. And finally ...

4. Dungeons & Dragons is pretty awesome and I want to own all the weapons!!

Enjoy watching this incredible cast bring to life the fantastical world of She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition. I have certainly enjoyed directing it! Thank you to my incredibly talented fight director Jeremy for doing battle with us and to Julie Buckler, our narrator who became our stage manager because she loves being with her theatre community. A massive thank you to our production team who believed in this show and really did incredible things to bring it to life and of course to Brian Freeman who taught those of us who were “noobs” about D&D and created not only an amazing world for us to play in but also an amazing module for all us of to learn from. I am dedicating this production to my nephew Wyatt.

~Kelly Duyn

Cast

Thea Fennell (Agnes)

Thea is absolutely thrilled to be making her debut at the Venice Theatre. Past favorite roles include Snoopy (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown), Catherine (Pippin), and Little Sally (Urinetown). She is so grateful for her fellow cast and the SKM team for this opportunity.

Riley Vance (Tilly)

Riley is a tenth grader at Venice High School and is elated to be in another show at the Venice Theatre. In the past, she has played The Jester in Once Upon a Mattress, and has participated in many showcases.

Asher Woomert (Chuck)

Asher is an eighth grader who enjoys playing piano, gaming with his friends, and most all things geeky making this role a perfect fit for him. Past roles include: Band Kid (The Music Man), Ralphie (A Christmas Story), Small Boy (Billy Elliot the Musical), Bruce (Matilda), Michael Banks (Mary Poppins), Les (Newsies), Little Guido (Nine).

Michael Bermudez (Miles)

A psychology major at UCF, Michael is excited to make his VT debut! Although he did play a lamb in a church play, he has enjoyed learning the nuances of acting, and his time as a part of the VT family.

Anna Hunek (Kaliope/Kelly)

Anna is a sixth grader at Pine View. She has previously been in A Christmas Carol and several VT camp productions. She is thrilled to share the stage with her real-life brother, Ryan. She would especially like to thank Ms. Kelly for this opportunity.

Alina Brennan (Lilith/Lilly)

A senior at Venice High, Alina is very excited to be performing at Venice Theatre. She has performed at Venice High, as well as being in the VT teen improv troupe. “Shout out to the amazing director Kelly and my beautiful family. Enjoy!”

Cayleen Cramer (Vera)

Cayleen has done tech for over 20 shows, including Venice Theatre’s Into the Woods and Young Frankenstein. She’s so excited for She Kills Monsters to be her acting debut, and would love to thank Venice Theatre as well as her incredible cast for the opportunity and support!

Caroline Kinsella (Farrah the Faerie)

Caroline is a freshman at Venice High, and in her first show at VT since recently moving from Virginia. She enjoys listening to musical theater soundtracks and worship music, writing, and playing guitar. “I cant wait to be a part of Venice Theatre in this show and many more to come!”

Tyler Pietryka (Steve)

Tyler is a student at FPU, and is currently pursuing his bachelors in economics. He has been in several plays at VT including, A Christmas Story, A Christmas Carol, Inherit the Wind, and more. He is very excited to return to the stage once again and hopes that you all enjoy the show.

Ryan Hunek (Orcus/Ronnie)

Ryan is a senior at Pine View School and is thrilled for the opportunity to be in this show. He has been volunteering at VT since first grade, and hopes to continue in the years to come. In his free time, Ryan enjoys singing, playing guitar, and spending quality time with his family.

Lorelei Popham (Evil Gabbi)

Lorelei is a freshman at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. She has been in various shows at Venice Theatre including Once Upon a Mattress, A Christmas Carol, Bugsy Malone Jr., and Legally Blonde Jr. at the Players Theatre Sarasota. She is very excited and thankful to be in this production.

Catalina Grieco (Evil Tina)

Catalina is a sophomore at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. This is her 12th production at VT including favorites: The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe (Lucy) and Fences (Raynell). Other favorites include Catherine in Theory of Relativity (French Woods) and Devine in brownsville song (FST). Catalina thanks Kelly Duyn for this opportunity!

Harrison Lee (Ensemble)

Originally from St. Louis, Harry is an eighth grader at Laurel Nokomis. This is his first play, yet he has participated in many talent shows and acting classes. Harry is also a rower with Sarasota Scullers and an accomplished hockey goalie.

Lily Aaronson (Ensemble)

An eighth grader at LA Ainger Middle, Lily is excited to be back on the VT stage after performing in Once Upon a Mattress and Willy Wonka JR. When not acting, Lily loves dance and playing the flute. “Thank you to my family, Cheyenne, and Fritzy.”

Mikayla Foss (Ensemble)

An eighth grader at PV, Mikayla has taken many classes and camps at VT including Improv, Acting 1 and 2, and currently Dancing with a Twist. She has also performed in the three-week summer camps (2018, 2019, 2021). Mikayla enjoys creative writing, drawing, volleyball, and acting.

Addie Ross (Ensemble)

Addie is 12 years old and excited to perform in the Pinkerton Theatre! Previous VT credits include Once Upon a Mattress, Seussical JR and Willy Wonka JR. Other shows include Aladdin KIDS, The Lion King KIDS, Annie KIDS, 42nd Street and Godspell. “Thanks to Miss Kelly and the VT staff for a fun experience!”

"SKM" Production Team

Kelly Duyn (Director)

Kelly is a Venice native who is proud to be a member of VT’s staff. Her VT directing credits include G2K Once Upon a Mattress, Honk!, My Son Pinocchio JR, Seussical the Musical JR, Willy Wonka JR, Wiley and the Hairy Man, and now She Kills Monsters. Her recent onstage roles include Disenchanted (Rapunzel), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Snout), The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom), Blood Brothers (Narrator) and The Sunshine Boys (TV Nurse). As Assistant Director of the Education and Outreach Department, she helps develop programming, teaches classes and facilitates workshops with local schools and other community organizations. She is the staff liaison and facilitator for VT’s Youth Production Company and director of VT’s school outreach program Troupe In A Trunk.

Julie Buckler (Stage Manager/Narrator)

Julie has most recently been seen on stage at Venice Theatre in Guys and Dolls, and as May in Gulf View Drive. This production she is working behind scenes as Stage Manager. Julie has been in theatre since a very young age and is a classically trained singer. She is also a member of the Venice Chorale. “I’m thrilled to be stage managing at Venice Theatre, and working with this excellent cast and production team.”

Brian Freeman (Scenic Designer/Dungeon Master)

Brian is Venice Theatre’s Assistant Technical Director and a freelance designer. He has been building ever since he picked up his first Lego brick. Eventually, he earned his B.F.A. from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he majored in Scenic and Lighting Design.

Nate Blaweiss (Sound Designer)

Nate is the Resident Sound Designer at Venice Theatre, recently designing for Almost, Maine (composer); john and jen; Love Letters (composer); Menopause: the Musical; and Good People. Nate studied music at Florida State and remotely at University of Chichester, earning his MA in film scoring in 2018. You can see and hear some of Nate’s work at nateblaweiss.com.

John Michael Andzulis (Lighting Designer)

In his 13th season at VT, John is glad to be a part of the VT family. He has a B.A. in Technical Theatre from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA, and has continued his technical career with lighting and scenic designs for productions such as: Handy Award winning Metamorphoses; The Jungle Book; Urinetown; Inherit the Wind; Peter Pan; Ragtime; Sweeney Todd; Godspell; Boeing Boeing; Avenue Q; Hello, Dolly!; Smokey Joe’s Cafe; Radio Gals; Dreamgirls and A Christmas Carol. John thanks Harper for her continuous constructive criticism.

Brittany Hardison (Costume Designer)

Brittany graduated from East Carolina University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts Design and Production with a concentration in Lighting Design and CostumeConstruction. She had an internship with the Ocala Civic Theatre from May 2018-May 2019. She joined us for a summer internship in June of 2019, then sailed away on the Norwegian Pearl as the Wardrobe Supervisor. Brittany rejoined the Venice Theatre family, full-time, in March of 2021. Her first design to ever be seen on stage was in this summer’s VT performance of Once Upon a Mattress followed by our MainStage production of Almost, Maine.

Jeremy Guerrero-Heideman (Fight Choreographer)

Jeremy is a sentient beard that has grafted himself onto an unwilling host. He was discovered wandering the streets of Prague in 1897. He has been performing and choreographing fights since 2006 with the Sarasota Medieval Fair.

"SKM" Crew

Light Board Operator

Julie Buckler

Sound Board Operator

John Hawk

Audio 2

Fran Costa

Deck Crew

Suzanne Custer

Dressers

Alex Labonte, Delaney Lockwood

2021-2022 Season Production Team

Production Manager/Technical Director

John Andzulis

Assistant Production Manager

Alyssa Goudy

Assistant Technical Director

Brian Freeman

Assistant Technical Director/Master Electrician

Cindy Carruth

Resident Scenic Designer

Tim Wisgerhof

Resident Sound Designer

Nate Blaweiss

Production Stage Manager/Props Mistress

Lisa Million

Resident Music Director

Michelle Kasanofsky

Costume Shop Manager

Maureen S. Demers

Costume Shop First Hand/Volunteer Liaison

Brittany Hardison

Electrics Crew

Jake Murphy, Deke Short

Scenery Crew

Bob Barone, Tullio Coccia, Walter Cohrs, Ron Fettig

Roger Hayes, Dale Jermyn, Bill Johnson, Ray Leahy

David Lynn-Jones, David Mason, Paul Mason

Charles Myers, Bob Olson, John Palaitis, Bill Risen

Pete Sayer, Jim Sherry, Ken Strom, Barry Sullivan

Bud Teagarden, Mel Van Dyke

Paint Crew

Phyllis Andella, Cathleen Baustian, Geri Becker

Bonnie Burkhalter, Sonja Carr, Liz Floridio

Lisa Hamilton, Jill Hartman, Carolyn Laibach

Liz O’Hagen, Pat Ouellette, Pete Sayer

Francine Smetts

Props Volunteers

Paula Auth, Judy Cipra, Ann Dellevigne

Costume Shop Volunteers

Ruell Bean, Evan Coffey, Melissa Houghton

Jane McCormick, Susan McGee

Susan McPeck, Paula Numeier

Kathy Provost, Sandy Sapatka

Pinky Stewart, Cindy Wood

Audition Volunteers

Melody Actouka, Karen Campbell, Anna Croteau, Linna Croteau, Laurel Jones, Itala Landers, Anne Smith Judith Toscano

Technical Theatre Apprentices

Eddie Buckley, Alex LaBonte

Dramaturg

Mike Sullivan

Front of House and Bar Manager

Jeff Hyde

Front of House Volunteers

Melody Actouka, Donna Astorino

Mark Bassett, Bella Belilovskaya

Ed Boudreaux, Carolyn Boudreaux

Susan Boudreaux, Bonnie Burkhalter

Rosemary Burzinski-Bosse, Richard Carling

Margaret Combs, Barbara Connelly

Carole Dicker, Lois Dobkin, Rick Dobkin

Patrick Eaton, Cheryl Escott, Lee Esteve

Janet Ford, Arsie Fusco, Henry Gesek

Linda Gesek, Joan Gilomen, Edward Gooltz

Karen Gregory, Lucille Grover, Stephen Hale

Diane Hale, Helene Horrell, Laura Johnston

Laurel Jones, Vicki Kenny, Kevin Kenny

Bonnie Konzelman, Carol Kulaga

Maria Leonard, John Linhares, Carol Lovely

Barbara Magstadt, Nancy Mendelson

Susan Mergens, Liz O’Hagen, Charles Page

Nola Parks, Nora Rainone, Jerry Rehert

Vickey Roa, Allyson Robertson

Noran Satkowski, Judith Scher

Margo Schneeloch, John Shwed

Karin Spencer, Helena Sutherland

Diane Swetonic, Annie Taber, Bill Troetel

Marcia Valentine, Mary Vlismas

Jacqueline Wides, Barbara Willis

BONUS content

D&D Character Sheets created by Thea Fennell with special thanks to Michael Bermudez (stats assist) & Venice Theatre (photos).

Enjoy!