THE DREXEL UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PERFORMING ARTS
SKls
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
OriginalSong“xxx”
Tanisha Shibu Thomas
ASSTSTAGEMANAGER
Layan Mouhamed
PRODUCTIONMANAGER
Paul Jerue
SCENICDESIGNER
Michael Lambui
FIGHTDIRECTOR
Oliver Donahue
MARKETINGDIRECTOR
Dahlia Ufberg
“She Kills Monsters” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
ASSTSTAGEMANAGER
Sophie Rutan
ASSTPRODUCTIONMANAGER
Sophia Hannah
LIGHTINGDESIGNER
JoJo Glodek
PROPSMASTER
Amanda Hatch
COMMUNICATIONSDIRECTOR
DIRECTIONBY
Eitan Barkat
ASSTDIRECTOR
Nix Aronowitz
TECHNICALDIRECTOR
Chris Totora
SOUNDDESIGNER
Eliana Fabiyi
STAGEMANAGEMENTCONSULTANT
Melody Wong
GRAPHICDESIGNER
Ava Jade Dandrea
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://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists
AsstTechnicalDirector
Will Lazar
Puppet Wrangler
Grace Weachter
Wardrobe
Tessa Jones
Asst Prop Master/ Scenic Artist
Andrey Ling
CREW
MASTER ELECTRICIAN
Frankie LaBelle
Sound Op
Connor Daniels
Costume Shop Asst
Harang Kang
Wardrobe
Ren Monroy
Deck/Run Crew
Esme Mohatt
ASSISTANTMASTER ELECTRICIAN
Avery Shope
Light Board Op
Amelia Hooker
Costume Shop Asst
Bella Metzer
Asst Scenic Artist
Nikola Zvonik
Production Technician
Natalie Sager
AUDIOSUPERVISOR
Allie Bilger
Fly Rail/Run Crew
Jason Adams
Costume Shop Asst
John Hazlett
Asst Prop Master
Kayla Donaldson
Production Technician
Rick Connor
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
A society that has discovered that its way of life is unsustainable…this is reality for the inhabitants of the mythical city where our show is set. Unfortunately, the given circumstances of Urinetown are more prescient today than they were at the time of the musical’s inception. It has been 24 years since the Broadway premiere of Urinetown. “The little musical that could” made an improbable journey from the minds of experimental theater artists Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann to the New York International Fringe Festival to Broadway The ferociously original story with its irreverent approach to musical comedy took New York by storm and impacted musical theater history; for Kotis and Hollmann accomplished something truly original and opened the door for meta-musicals to follow. With a genuine respect for the musicals that came before theirs, the authors injected experiences and sensibilities honed in renegade Chicago storefront theater into a musical about a place where people pay for the privilege to pee
Urinetown will be remembered for its message, adroitly embedded in a lot of highly entertaining zaniness.
I hope you enjoy yourself tonight as much as I enjoy the privilege of working with the talented young artists at Drexel. Thank you for supporting live theater!
- Peter Reynolds
Maya Seipel
Ben Robare
Jia Weingard
Sabrina Winford
Aiden Abiuso
Macie Perry
Mickie Te
Mia Hernandez
Alexa Boyes
Leyna Phung
Mary Elizabeth Ulses
Daniel David
Lois Divoll
Erik Everitt
Photographed by Ava Jade Dandrea
Natalie Russo
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
Please be advised that this show centers on queer characters and contains mature/strong language/homophobic slurs and depictions of anti-gay bullying, theatrical haze and smoke, as well as discussions of grief.
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 CREW & ARTISTIC TEAM
NIX ARONOWITZ (Production) 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!
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
QUI NYGUYEN (Playwright) is a playwright, screenwriter, and cofounder 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
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 multitalented 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
Eitan Barkat...........................................................................................................................Marketing
Serena Barone...............................................................................................................Communication
Allie Bilger......................................................................................................................Music Industry
Alexa Boyes.....................................................................................................................Product Design
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
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
Anthony Finn McNamara..........................................................................................................English
Bella Meltzer..................................................................................................................Fashion Design
DREXEL THEATRE COMPANY MEMBERS
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
Scarlett Scanlon....................................................................................Animation and Visual Effects
Maya Seipel...............................................................................................Design and Merchandising
Patrick Shelffo....................................................................................................Sociology/Economics
Avery Shope.......................................................................................................Electrical 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
Andrey Yip..............................................................................................Entertainment & Arts Mgmt
Nikola Zvonik................................................................................................................Music Industry
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
