When Elizabethtown College’s Tempest Theatre closed its run of “She Kills Monsters,” the final performances marked the end of more than a spring production. What remained was the process behind it, shaped by disruption, physical demands and a strong sense of connection among the cast and crew.

Performed across two weekends in March, Qui Nguyen’s play brought audiences into a fantasy world built through Dungeons and Dragons, following Agnes Evans as she uncovers new layers of her late sister’s life. The production balanced humor and emotional depth onstage. Offstage, that balance carried into a process that required both flexibility and commitment.

Rehearsals faced early challenges due to winter weather. Snow disruptions disrupted scheduling and forced the production team to adjust quickly to stay on track. Despite those interruptions, the cast and crew maintained momentum as opening night approached.

Stage combat was one of the most demanding elements of the production. The show relied heavily on choreographed fight sequences involving swords, large blades and additional effects such as fog and raised staging. These elements increased both the complexity of the scenes and the need for consistent safety measures.

According to junior Sofia Brzezicki, who played Vera Martin, the choreography required careful attention and repetition to ensure both precision and safety.

“The fight choreo added another layer of difficulty,” Brzezicki said. “Swords, giant blades, fog and even in my experience raised surfaces can cause some injuries.”

Preparation reflected that level of intensity. Cast members arrived two to two and a half hours before each performance to complete technical checks and run fight call, a full rehearsal of all combat sequences.

“We got there two hours, two and a half hours before the show opened, so we had as much time as we could to prep and fight call,” Brzezicki said.

Senior Em Clark, who played Tilly Evans, said the production differed from others she had participated in due to its emphasis on physical performance.

“This show is very different from other shows I have been in because it focuses very heavily on stage combat,” Clark said. “Our initial fight call runs could last an hour minimum from all of the fight scenes we had to go through.”

The physical nature of the show also introduced risks. During a technical rehearsal, a weapon malfunction resulted in Clark being struck near the eye when part of a prop broke. She later confirmed that the injury was minor.

“Luckily, it was nothing more than a scare and a fun story to tell everyone who asked about my black eye,” Clark said.

The incident highlighted the importance of safety and coordination in a production that depended heavily on physical movement and timing.

Behind the scenes, the show required significant coordination between cast and crew. Crew members were responsible for building and maintaining props, including weapons, as well as managing sound, lighting and stage transitions. Brzezicki emphasized that the production depended on consistent teamwork across all areas.

“The show required a lot of hands on deck,” Brzezicki said. “Our amazing crew really helped us.”

As rehearsals continued, the process became more than preparation. The time commitment and shared responsibility created a consistent routine that many participants came to rely on.

“I looked forward to every Monday and Tuesday no matter what was going on during the school week,” Brzezicki said. “I just knew that I had somewhere to go.”

That routine contributed to stronger relationships within the cast. Long rehearsals and the physical demands of the show encouraged collaboration and trust.

“I made more friends. I got closer with people,” Brzezicki said. “Because rehearsals were so long, very strenuous, we kind of grew closer together as a cast.”

For Clark, that sense of connection became the most meaningful part of the experience. She described the production as a highlight of her time at Elizabethtown, especially as it marked her final performance with Tempest Theatre before graduation.

“This show has meant a lot to me personally as it’s my last production with Tempest Theatre before I graduate,” Clark said. “The company working on this production has truly made it my favorite production yet.”

As the production came together, the challenges faced during the process became part of a larger sense of accomplishment.

“I’m just very proud of everybody pulling their weight including the cast, the crew, the directors, student directors,” Brzezicki said. “We got through what at times felt like the impossible.”

With the final performance complete, the impact of “She Kills Monsters” extends beyond its run. For those involved, the production stands as a reflection of the work, collaboration and persistence required to bring it to life.