THATCHER, Ariz.— Eastern Arizona College’s Repertory Theatre Company invites the community to experience a powerful and thought-provoking production of A Monster Calls, directed by student Sam Knight, a sophomore theatre major. The play will run December 5–7, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the intimate SC-3 Blackbox Theater. Admission is $5/person and seating is very limited. Visit www.eac.edu to get your tickets in advance.
Based on the acclaimed novel by Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls is a heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and courage. It follows Conor, a young boy coping with his mother’s illness and the turmoil it brings to his life. One night, Conor is visited by a mysterious, ancient figure—a monster—who demands the most dangerous thing of all: the truth. Through this haunting and deeply moving tale, audiences are invited to explore the connections between grief and love, and how facing one’s deepest fears can bring healing.
“This is a story that shows the connection between grief and love and the power that’s held there,” said Sam Knight, the student director. “Death is something we all have to cope with. This show lets you see it through an expressionist lens, and how it could happen to any of us at any time.”
This production marks Knight’s first experience directing, an opportunity he describes as both challenging and rewarding. “Figuring out how to take on a leadership role with my peers was a major learning experience,” Knight shared. “Finding the balance between being someone’s friend and someone’s director was tough. But it was amazing to see the growth of the actors from the other side.”
EAC’s Blackbox Theater offers an intimate setting, immersing audiences in the raw emotion and vivid storytelling of this unique production. Rated PG for mild scary moments, A Monster Calls is a perfect outing for families and theater lovers seeking a story that resonates long after the final curtain.
