BE MORE CHILL

Monumental Theatre Company

Ainslie Art Center

Alexandria, Virginia

Music and Lyrics: Joe Iconis

Book: Joe Tracz

Based on a novel by Ned Vizzini

Director: Izzy Smelkinson

Associate Director: Megan Bunn

Music Director: Marika Countouris

Choreographer: Patricia “Pep” Targete

Fight Choreographer: Bess Kaye

Lighting Design: Helen Garcia-Alton

Scenic Design: Simone Schneeberg

Costume Design: Kristin P. Ahern

Sound Design: Jordana Abrenica, Madeline Clamp

Props Design: Jenn Taglieri

Be More Chill is a musical about high school, the insecurities and crushes run rife in the students, but what if, one little pill could change that all? All is well until that cool little pill attempts to take over the world. The world of high school is grey and monotonous, unapologetically casting glaring light down on the student prisoners of education. As the students become under the influence of the SQUIPS (Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor) the world slants into highly colorized high contrast colored light. Izzy and I discussed 8-bit video games and graphic novels for their the chunky colors are bright and big, and very primary. the SQUIP is green and and the obvious villain. High contrast color and intensity aid in the switch from the “natural” high school world, to the edited world the SQUIP creates.

Photographer: RJ Pavel

© 2024 by Helen Garcia-Alton, All Rights Reserved