She Kills Monsters

She Kills Monsters

by Qui Nguyen
directed by Kai DonDero

Show Dates & Times
November 20 at 7:00 pm
November 21 at 7:00 pm
November 22 at 7:00 pm
November 23 at 2:00 pm

Ticket Prices
General Admission: $20
Students & Seniors: $10
Call to reserve your ticket: 607-962-9311

Performance Photos
Click here to view a photo gallery of the show.

Director's Note

Loss is as constant as change, and we must acknowledge the empty spaces created by loss. We must take action to heal these wounds, to process them. Agnes processes her empty spaces by taking interest - reaching out - and playing. Through this action, Agnes learns just how connected Tilly was to her community. She learns the power of gathering.

Gathering is special because of the power it holds. 

We gather to eat. We gather when we play games. We gather when we need to know we can make a difference. We gather when we need to create change. Theatre is also an Art of Gathering. By nature it is a community effort - and as always, takes commitment and heart. It also needs the community that you - the audience - provides.

Agnes finds her community through a game, driven by regrets and loss, and is transformed in the process. I have been transformed many times by the process of working on this play. I hope that you, the gathered audience - our play's reflection, open yourself up to this story of transformation. And, when the show is over, offer a gesture of kindness at your next gathering.

-Kai DonDero

Company Bios

KRISTY BARTENSTEIN (Costume & Puppet Designer)
Kristy (she/her) is a graduate of Theatre programs at SUNY Potsdam and Niagara University and is a 4th grade teacher by day. Kristy has been designing costumes in the area for the past 10 years for companies like Corning Painted Post High School, Elmira Little Theatre, Lake Country Players and Muse of Fire. Kristy also builds and designs custom puppets for the stage which you will see in the monsters in today's show. She loves to watch characters come to life when their costumes and final forms come together.

ABIGAIL BENNETT (Stage Manager)
Abigail (she/her) is from Elmira New York. She is studying Liberal Arts & Humanities at CCC, but is focusing on theatre as much as possible. Previously, she worked in various parts of tech theatre throughout high school and was a stage manager for this past spring's production Urinetown. She hopes you all enjoy embarking on the quest for the lost soul of Athens.

DOMINICK CASTILLO (Monster Ensemble)
Dominick (he/him) is a student who is in his second semester at CCC, working towards a degree in science and he enjoys theatre as a hobby. He enjoys music and playing DND in his free time, and playing with his cat named Yuki. This is his second time being part of a production, having worked on Everybody last fall, and his first time acting on stage. He hopes everyone enjoys the show, and rolls a nat 20. FIREBALL!!!!!

NATE CLEMMER (Steve, Bug Bear, Tiamat, Cobalt)
Nate grew up in Dayton, Ohio and went to our Lady of the Rosary School K through 12. He has been in theatre since 7th grade when he was a page in The Princess and the Pea. He earned his first major speaking role in 8th grade when he was Ed the Hyena in The Lion King. His first major major role came in his sophomore year of high school when he was Oliver Warbucks in Annie. In his senior year, he was Curly in Oklahoma! He wants to thank his family for always encouraging him to follow his dreams of theatre and always being there for him at every performance, every rehearsal, and every audition. 

MARK COX (Violence & Intimacy Coordinator)
Mark is a local actor, director, and vocal coach, as well as the founder of School of Sing (school of sing.com). He coaches artists and creatives to overcome the fear of being seen and step fully into their creative power. Mark is deeply grateful to Kai and Mike for their wonderful collaboration on this production. Learn more at markcoxartist.com.

ALEX DeLUCA (Agnes Evans)
Alex is a sophomore at CCC. She was in CCC's production of Urinetown as Ms. Pennywise, and in Horseheads High School's productions of SpongeBob the Musical and The Little Mermaid as a member of the ensemble. She would like to thank her parents for supporting her passion for theatre, her siblings for being her favorite people in the whole world, and her friends for always being there for her. She hopes you enjoy the show!

KAI DONDERO (Director)
Kai (they/them) is a director, playwright, deviser, and actor. They grew up in the Southern Tier of New York and have a MFA in Theatre Arts from Towson University, a Bachelors in Theatre and Performance from SUNY Purchase, and Associates from SUNY CCC. Previously at CCC they directed Mynx and Savage, and The Lightning Thief. They are devoted to working with the "magic" of theatre to create works of performance which challenge standards, and encourage audiences to engage with their own world differently. They are currently an Adjunct Theatre Studies professor at Corning Community College. Enroll in theatre classes today!

TIFFANY FIELDS (Properties Assistant)
Tiffany is a resident of the Southern Tier. She has revived her love of art to contribute a handmade monster to this production! She currently works as a local stagehand specializing in wardrobe and has helped backstage with the productions Mrs.Doubtfire and Stereophonic.

MANDY HAKES (Tilly Evans)
Mandy (she/her) is in her third semester at CCC and the Muse of Fire club president. This is her third ever production, having been in Urinetown as Josephine as well as Everybody as Love. Outside of enjoying theatre, she is working towards applying for the nursing program here at CCC to be an RN. She is thankful for everyone around her who has supported her and helped her to work on her dreams and passions.

MICHAEL HURD (Box Office Manager)
Michael (he/him) is proud to advise Muse of Fire and serve as theatre coordinator at SUNY CCC. He has seen the hard work that Kai, Kristy, Mark, Eric, actors, technicians, and student leaders have put into this production, and he is so excited that they have the opportunity to tell this great story. Michael is thrilled to be directing the musical Ride the Cyclone this spring (April 16-19, 2026) alongside Music Director Will Wickham. He is grateful for your support and hopes you enjoy the show. 

LUKE JONES (Orcus/Ronnie)
Luke is playing Orcus, the former demon overload of the underworld. He’s currently studying History at CCC. He’s from Corning, but has lived all over the place for the past few years.

GABE LOSITO (Miles)
Gabriel is an accounting major at CCC graduating this December. He has worked with Muse of Fire in multiple productions over the past year, such as performing as Caldwell B. Cladwell in Urinetown this past spring. Growing up in the Southern Tier, he has performed in a variety of both high school and community productions. He wants to give a special thank you to his parents for their unending support.

ALANA PETERSON (Narrator, Evil Tina, Vera)
Alana is currently enrolled at Corning Community College. She Kills Monsters marks her first stage production. She plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

KACEY SCHEIB (Kaliope)
Kacey's been a part of more shows than she has time to type. From directing to assisting to costumes and beyond. She would like to thank her parents for always supporting her dreams. And her incredible loving boyfriend who tolerates her busy life schedule with yet another and another theatre show. She hopes you all have a great time and roll nat 20s.

LAUREL SHAUT (Farrah, Evil Gabby, Monster Ensemble, Dance Choreographer) 
Laurel (she/her) is from Corning, NY. She has an Associates in Environmental Science from Corning Community College and has returned to study Theatre. While this is her first theatrical play, Laurel has spent 19 years practicing ballet at 171 Cedar Arts Center and has performed roles like Cinderella in Cinderella, Nala in The Lion Ling, and currently Peter Pan in Peter Pan. She is very excited to try something new by participating in She Kills Monsters. Laurel would like to thank her parents and sister for being so supportive of her in her first steps in this new journey.

CASSIE TAYLOR (Costume Assistant)
Cassie has only been involved with the local theatre scene for about a year and a half now, but has enjoyed every moment of it! After doing Sweeney Todd last year and Heathers this past summer, she's taking time backstage for the fall to help with costuming for various shows including She Kills Monsters, The Spongebob Musical, and Annie!

ANDREW TIMOFEEFF (Assistant Stage Manager, Sound Designer)
Andrew has been involved with theatre for most of his life. He has recently worked on Kimberly Akimbo, The Wild Tribe and Other Stories, Urinetown, Everybody, and Pippin. Andrew is excited to be designing the sound for She Kills Monsters. Andrew thanks Kai and CCC for this opportunity and hopes you enjoy our show!

DEREK VanETTEN (Chuck)
Derek (he/him) grew up in Tioga County in Pennsylvania. He is an Educational Studies Major at CCC, and is pursuing a career in Music Education. He is also an accomplished Choir Singer and experienced Theatre Actor. Previously, they have been seen as Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown! and as Larry in Nightmare High School.

SETTING: Athens, Ohio, and the imaginary world of New Landia    

YEAR:1995

CAST
Agnes Evans: Alex DeLuca
Tilly Evans: Mandy Hakes
Chuck: Derek VanEtten
Miles: Gabe Losito
Lillith/Lilly: Carmen Enge
Kaliope/Kelly: Kacey Scheib
Orcus/Ronnie: Luke Jones
Vera/Evil Tina/Narrator/Monster Ensemble: Alana Peterson
Farrah The Fairie/Evil Gabbi/Monster Ensemble: Laurel Shaut
Steve/Monster Ensemble: Nate Clemmer
Monster Ensemble: Dominick Castillo Guevara

PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer/Director: Kai DonDero
Stage Manager: Abigail Bennett 
Assistant Stage Manager: Andrew Timofeeff
Fight and Intimacy Choreographer: Mark Cox
Sound Board Operator: Kalian Brill
Light Board Operator: Scott Duryee
Dance Choreographer: Laurel Shaut          
Projection Artist: Mason Mertsock
Technical Director & Lighting Design: Eric Griffin
Costumes and Puppets: Kristy Bartenstein, Cassie Taylor, Tiffany Fields
Music and Sound: Mason Hakes, Andrew Timofeeff
Props: Kai DonDero, Alex Deluca, Abi Bennett        
Makeup: Avil Morseman
Backstage Technicians: Andrew Timofeeff, Abigail Bennett
Set Building & Painting: Abi Bennett, Nate Clemmer, Alex DeLuca,
Janice DonDero, Kai DonDero, Eric Griffin, Mandy Hakes, Michael Hurd,
Luke Jones, Gabe Losito, Mason Mertsock, Derek VanEtten

Special Thanks

CCC Public Safety
Jon Van Otterloo and the CCC Makerspace
The CCC Student Association 
Dasia Farley
Debbie Beall
Michael Hurd
Meghan O’Toole
Nick Sweet