This November, Tabor is proud to present She Kills Monsters, a play packed with epic battles, humor, and memorable music. While audiences can sit back and enjoy the show, there’s an entire world of work happening behind the scenes. Let’s take a look at the hard work and creativity that has gone into this production.
Actors
Rehearsals start with vocal warm-ups and fun exercises; then, actors move into discussing scenes, remembering lines, and nailing cues. While blocking scenes, director Ms. Hawley and stage manager Sue Zhao ‘26 give feedback and track progress.
Constructive feedback is an integral part of acting, and Ms. Hawley ensures that actors feel comfortable and understand each adjustment. During rehearsals, actors either pause mid-scene for corrections or wait until a full run-through is complete and then regroup to review suggestions. Whether trying the advice immediately or making mental notes, everyone strives to meet the production’s high standard.
When asked about the most challenging part of rehearsals, actors Andrea Yin ‘27 and Gray Liu ‘27 had different answers. For Andrea, the hardest part is maintaining audience visibility.
“I always try my best to face the audience at a specific angle. It’s challenging because in real life I would never face that way naturally,” said Andrea.
Stage manager Sue shares a similar sentiment: “The stage is three-sided so it’s difficult to manage visibility on all sides,” said Sue.
In contrast, the hardest part for Gray is volume control.
“Normally when I speak, I have a low voice, but I go out of my typical range for my character. It gets tiring on my throat,” said Gray.
Silvia Thompson ‘26 plays Agnes, the main character of the show. “My character is very complex. I love dissecting her personality and being able grow with my character throughout the story,” says Silvia.
In addition, she shares valuable advice for her castmates: “Fully commit to the character. The more energy you give, the more the audience will take in.”
Sound
Minyoung Park ‘26 is the sound designer, sitting in on rehearsals and working closely with the actors to match sounds to each scene.
“First, I watch the show and while doing so, I jot notes down on my phone,” Minyoung said. “Then, I take keywords from the script to give me an idea of what I should search for. YouTube is my main source for sound effects, and I start extracting and downloading the mp3 files.”
He then uses the program QLab to organize and edit the files. “Each sound usually takes around two to three minutes; however, it can go up to ten or twenty if it requires editing,” he added.
Minyoung enjoys his work as a sound designer because of the creative flexibility it gives him. In this way, working behind the scenes is like putting his own personal stamp on the project.
Lights
“Lighting isn’t as straightforward as many might think,” says Jennifer Guo ‘25, the lighting designer. “Visualization is crucial. You have to imagine where the light will fall and how it will shape the scene.”
The lighting crew uses a program called Vectorworks to design layouts, allowing them to adjust light positions and angles in the software before printing it out for installation.
Jennifer was inspired to join the lighting crew because of Tabor alum Mary Townsend ‘22, who used lighting design in her chapel talk.
“My favorite part is thinking about the colors and the feelings that lighting will evoke within the audience. It feels magical,” she said. But there’s a downside: “I’m not a fan of working on the ladders. I’m always worried about falling or dropping a light!”
Set and Costume
The Set and Costume crew has their hands full, from making props to selecting costumes. With She Kills Monsters demanding a wide array of props, they’re constantly crafting, sourcing, and finalizing set details to bring the world to life.
Mr. Charlie Babbitt, the Technical Director, noted the challenges of starting new productions. “We tend to take on ambitious projects, so productivity and deadlines are crucial. It’s easy to fall behind, which can get stressful,” said Mr. Babbitt.
Set and costume designer Alex Abu-Raya ‘26 breaks down the process.
“We start by attending the read-through with the actors, then take measurements and gather ideas,” she said. “We use costume boards to organize items but also meet specific descriptions from the play.”
With organized racks, color-coded notebooks, and labeled storage, the North Classroom is a hub of creativity and logistical work.
Mr. Babbitt also emphasized the importance of building sturdy, lightweight props. “This show has a lot of fights and various choreography which runs a high risk of damaging our materials. We make sure our props and costumes can survive the action without breaking.”
All members of the cast and crew have been working hard behind the scenes to make the play come to life. After each rehearsal, the cast and crew come together to review closing notes from the directors. Sue documents feedback and updates in the nightly rehearsal report, keeping everyone on the same page. The camaraderie is evident as the actors share laughs and excitement for the next day.
This show has left a lasting impact on the team, and Mr. Babbitt hopes it will resonate with the audience too. “Life brings unexpected events, but it’s never too late to make peace with them. She Kills Monsters powerfully explores this theme,” he said.
She Kills Monster officially opens in the black box theater from Thursday, November 7 until Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 PM. Don’t miss this amazing performance!
