Heidelberg University
School of Music and Theater Productions
A Note From the Director and Dramaturg
Set in Athens, Ohio in the 1990’s, Agnes Evans is ordinary in every way- her sister, Tilly, however, is anything but. After their parents’ and Tilly’s death, Agnes is met with the realization that she never really connected with her younger sister. Thus, an adventure begins- one of Dungeons and Dragons. Agnes, accompanied by Dungeon Master Chuck, starts playing through a module of DnD written by Tilly to learn about the girl that Agnes never knew. Agnes meets the party members- a demon queen, a dark elf, and a slacker Overlord to the Underworld- all of which are far more versed in this strange world than she is. She embarks on the Quest for the Lost Soul of Athens all while dealing with picking up the pieces of losing her family and taking a new step in her relationship with Miles.
This world of the show comes to life within the confines of what Tilly and her friends would have had at their disposal; their costumes, settings, and monsters are all created using what they would have found in their high school. Dragons made of soda cans, clubs made with rulers, and a swamp covered in electrical cords bring these social misfits’ real life societal struggles together with their in game battles.
Throughout the show, Agnes must learn about the world that Tilly inhabited while attempting to stay alive long enough to save the Lost Soul. Tilly teaches Agnes how to be strong and to finally be what she never had the courage to be- extraordinary. This show is just as much about loss and grieving as it is about finding what is really important- family, chosen and not. Agnes simultaneously loses and reconnects with Tilly throughout the story, learning about herself and her sister in the process.
We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of the Heidelberg Theatre Department. Our students are immensely appreciative of the generosity, kindness, and encouragement given from all of our supporters. Through your dedication to our department, they are building relationships in the arts on campus, in the Tiffin community, and professionally with our guest artists. We hope this show brings you the same joy and excitement as we kick off our first Rep Series.
As always, thank you, and we hope you enjoy the show,
Stephen Svoboda, Director
Madison Swyers, Assistant Director
Taylor Richardson, Dramaturg
Meet the Cast
Lizzie Bowman is a second year student at Heidelberg University, majoring in Musical Theatre and History with a minor in Literature. In the past, she has been in A Gap in Generations (Vittoria), Spamalot (Patsy), The Little Mermaid (Ariel). While attending Heidelberg, she has been in The Music Man (Mrs. Squires), Mamma Mia (Chorus), Cabaret (Rosie), and Oedipus Rex (Chorus). Lizzie has also been on the production team for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and The Penguin Tango.
Michelle Chen is a sophomore Musical Theatre and English Writing Major at Heidelberg. In high school, she was in My Fair Lady and The Wizard of Oz. Here at Heidelberg, Michelle has been apart of the cast of The Music Man, Mamma Mia!, Oedipus, and Lysistrata. She loved making the masks from scratch for Oedipus! Michelle was also the assistant costume designer for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. Michelle is excited to be playing Evil Tina in this iconic show!
Bri Clark is a freshman musical theater major. She is also apart of the Heidelberg woman’s tennis team and the Hei-Notes show choir. As well as acting and singing, Brianna is part of the production team. Brianna has been performing all her life and is ecstatic to continue her journey on the Heidelberg stage.
Ashley C. Dawson is a second year double major in Music and Theatre. After transferring from Baltimore, MD, Ashley made her debut on Gundlach’s stage as Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man. More recently, she was seen in the ensemble of both Cabaret and Mamma Mia!, Athenian Chorus Leader in Lysistrata, and as a soloist in The Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Festival. Other notable credits include Bird Woman (Disney’s Mary Poppins), Connie Boylan (Annie), and Wicked Witch/Blind Mouse (Shrek: The Musical). Special thanks to all of the people who have made this journey possible: family, friends, faculty, and mentors.
Riley Gibson is a sophomore at Heidelberg University majoring in musical theatre. She has participated in 11 shows throughout her middle school, high school, and college career. At Heidelberg, she has been in The Music Man, Macbeth, Mamma Mia! and Cabaret. She has also worked production on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, The Penguin Tango, Lysistrata, and Oedipus. She would like to thank her family for always supporting her when it comes to theatre. She would also like to thank the directors as well as the cast for all of the countless hours they have devoted to making this show amazing.
Gretta Griesbach is a freshman theatre major and this is her first performance on the Heidelberg stage. Gretta has been in theatre productions since she was eleven years old. After getting the role of Sandy in Grease at twelve, she has been involved in community theatre as well as theatre all four years of high school. These shows include Arsenic and Old Lace, Red Velvet Cake War, Willa Wonkie and the Chocolate Factory, and Clue. Gretta is very excited for her performance, and is looking forward to what the future holds for her at Heidelberg.
James Ogle is a musical theatre transfer student from Henagar, Alabama. James' show credits here at Heidelberg include: Weird Sister 3 in Macbeth, Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Nighttime, Victor in Cabaret, and many others. Now he is excited to be playing Orcus in She Kills Monsters. James would like to thank his family for there support and love!
Ben Pollizi is a Freshman Musical Theatre major and is very excited to be a part of another show on the Gundlach stage! He was seen last semester in Cabaret as well as Oedipus and Lysistrata. He looks forward to many future shows, and he hopes you enjoy this one!
Noah Rawson is very excited to play Chuck in the Heidelberg performance of She Kills Monsters. Noah is a freshman dual majoring in theatre and criminology. He would like to thank the theatre students and teachers for being so supportive and friendly. He would also like to thank his family for coming out to support him and his older sister, Ciera, for getting him into theatre in the first place.
Hannah Schoen is a Sophomore musical theatre major at Heidelberg. Since coming to Heidelberg she has been in The Music Man, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Penguin Tango, Lysistrata, and Oedipus. She has also been involved in the Community Choir, working with the wardrobe team for Cabaret, and is involved in Alpha Psi Omega. She hopes to continue to learn more about acting and costume design in the future here at Heidelberg. Thank you for coming and enjoy the show!
Madison Swyers is a senior Theater major. She has been apart of several Heidelberg productions including They Fight, Laramie Project, The Music Man, R and J, Macbeth, Sister Act, Mamma Mia!, The Penguin Tango, and Cabaret. In her spare time she enjoys a cup of tea and being with friends. She is very grateful for all the opportunities Heidelberg Theater has given her and she is so excited for future endeavors. Madison would like to thank her friends and family for their constant encouragement.
Nick Talion is new to Heidelberg and is so excited to return to Gundach for yet another production! He has had previous roles in Father of the Bride (Buzz Taylor), Play On! (Billy Carwel), Songs for a New World (Ensemble), Disaster! (Waiter), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged] (Himself), Aida (Pharaoh), Blithe Spirit (Charles Condomine), Newsies (Pulitzer), Cabaret (Ernst), Odeipus (chorus), and Lysistrata (Cinesias). He would like to thank his friends and family for all the support and for helping him make it this far, as well as the entire cast and the directors for making this show a memorable one!
Tech/Creative Team
Destiny Chesser is a theatre production major at Heidelberg University and is from Cleveland Ohio. She is a current sophomore and her past productions with Heidelberg University are Mamma Mia! and Lysistrata. Destiny would like to thank those in her life that support her and wish her to succeed.
Courtney Berkheimer is a senior theatre production major. This is her twelfth show at heidelberg. She is so grateful to everything Stephen has done with her with working together. She hopes everyone enjoys this show and her projections that she designed for it. Courtney hopes everyone comes back to see She Kills Monsters and 9 to 5, to see all the other theater magic we do here at heidelberg university.
Will Bohlen is very proud to be composing original music for She Kills Monsters. He is a freshman Computer Science and Music major, and hails from Cleveland, Ohio. He has been producing digital music for over four years, and also enjoys video game development. Will would like to thank Stephen and Dr. McConnell for their help throughout the process.
Martina Dimiduk is a second year theatre major from Dayton, OH. This will be their sixth show at Heidelberg. You may have seen them on stage as an old woman in Mamma Mia!, and/or a teenage dancer in The Music Man. Martina hopes you enjoy the show and go on to tell your friends about the great things that happen here at Heidelberg University.
Fletcher Grey is an English major with a minor in theatre. He is currently a junior at Heidelberg, and aims to work a lot more often with the people around him. This show brings intimacy, past influences, and many other aspects to the forefront, and above all else we must face them headfast. He wants to thank you for reading this.
Lauren Gronsky is a Freshman theatre production major and is excited to be sound board operator. In her free time she is a part of the marching band and dance team. Lauren would like to thank her family for always supporting her and coming to all of her shows.
Taylor Richardson is a sophomore English and Theatre Major. She has previously been seen on the Heidelberg stage in Lysistrata, Oedipus, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Offstage, she has designed hair and makeup for Lysistrata and Oedipus as well as having run social media and assistant costume design for The Penguin Tango.
Jasmine Ridler is a sophomore Theatre and History double major. She is overjoyed to be the makeup designer for She Kills Monsters and Fun Home. She has recently received praise for her performance in HU’s production of Cabaret as Fraulein Schneider. Jasmine plans to return to the stage as Roz in HU’s spring musical, Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5. She would like to thank Stephen and David for their belief in her and their passion for helping her grow. And she would like to thank her partner Em Swain for their support.
Taylor Whitright is a Theatre Production and Early Childhood Education major. She is excited for her first production as stage manager at Heidelberg University. She is a recent graduate of South Central High School where she was a stage crew member and stage manager of productions for a combined 4 years. She would like to thank not only her close knit family, but also Linda D. Jackson and Benjamin Chaffee Jr. for their continued support and inspiration in pursuing theatre arts.