San Bernardino Valley College's theater arts students tried something new this May, as they virtually put on a show that blended real life with fantasy. 
 
She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms follows Ohio cheerleader Agnes Evans as she grapples with the death of her younger sister, Tilly. After Agnes finds Tilly's Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she "stumbles into an action-packed adventure in the fantasy role-playing world that was Tilly's refuge," Theater Arts Prof. Melinda Fogle said. "Agnes' journey leads her to New Landia where she meets dangerous mythical creatures and has unexpected revelations about her sister and herself." 
 
She Kills Monsters made its stage debut in 2011, but was adapted for online performances in 2020. Fogle said it was "a fun challenge" for the technical crew and cast to alternate between She Kills Monsters' real and fantasy worlds, with many actors playing two characters. "This means double the settings, costumes, and hair and makeup designs as well," she added. SBVC's theater arts students are looking forward to getting back into the Auditorium this fall, "but we have definitely had fun thinking outside the box and learning new ways to produce a show," Fogle said.