The annual D-E Fall Play for the 2025-2026 school year is A Monster Calls, based on the young adult novel by Patrick Ness and an original idea by Siobhan Dowd, about a boy burdened by a recurring nightmare in which a “monster” tells him a series of tales. Performances will be held in Schenck Auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 4:00 PM; Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:00 PM; and Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

“A Monster Calls is a play that radiates layers upon layers of meaning and human experience,” said Mr. Jeff Hogan, Upper School Theatre Teacher and Director. “The play’s protagonist, Conor, wrestles with grief, loss, anger, and guilt as he processes his mother’s terminal illness.”

This cross-divisional ensemble includes eighth graders both in the cast and on the production crew as well as Upper School students. “A Monster Calls is a story that demands collective storytelling—no one role or element exists in isolation,” explained Mr. Hogan. “All players—the performers, designers, and technicians—become part of the emotional fabric that brings Conor’s journey to life.”

The set design, created by Technical Director of Theater Ms. Caitie V. Miller and her stage crew, some of which are in Ms. Miller’s Stage Craft Discovery class, “does not rely on literal set pieces to communicate the story,” explained Mr. Hogan, adding “The aim is to keep the focus entirely on Conor’s plight and wide array of emotions.”

“We want it to feel like Conor’s trapped in this world that he can’t escape,” said Ms. Miller. “It’s an idea of containment.” As A Monster Calls revolves around a tree that comes to visit Conor, there are roots surrounding the walls of the set that prove to be “stronger than concrete or manmade things,” explained Ms. Miller.

Logan Passe ’28, who plays Conor, said his character is someone who “feels isolated from the rest of his peer group,” a feeling he can relate to from past experience but has since overcome. He said his favorite part of the play has been seeing the ensemble in action and how dynamic the staging is. 

In terms of what the audience should take away from the performance, Logan shared, “Pain is only temporary; there are always people to help you through it, whether they are ‘monsters’ or friends in your life.”

Mr. Hogan said he hopes that through this production, the Upper School Theatre Department can showcase the unifying power of storytelling. “In a time when the world can often feel increasingly disconnected and individualistic, theatre offers one of the most direct applications of empathy,” he remarked. “It allows us to step into another person’s experience, to feel what they feel, and to connect not only across differences but also time and space.”

Reserve your tickets online today for this can’t-miss, heartfelt, and moving production: click here or visit: https://cur8.com/projects/20418 

Please note, due to mature themes, A Monster Calls is recommended for audiences ages 12+. 

CAST

Conor: Logan Passe ’28

Mum: Caroline Chu ’27

Monster: Caroline Sung ’27

Grandma: Alene Huang ’27

Dad: Nate Russell ’28

Harry: Conrad Minor ’28

Sully: Portia Roncati ’30

Anton: Alex Chu ’29

Miss Godfrey: Ella Gorcie ’30

Mr. Marl: Shay Dogra ’29

Lily: Solange Coquillon ’30

Nurse: Ivana Riera Gonzalez ’30

UPPER SCHOOL CREW: 

Eliza Herman ’27

Bennett Sachs ’29

Maleah Liao ’27

Elizabeth Lan ’28

Julie Lan ’29

Eva Louro ’28

Andre Valencia ’27

Audrey Son ’27

Kiki Bae ’29