Roanoke College shares “A Monster Calls” with local middle-schoolers

Student actors in Roanoke College Theatre Department’s winter play, “A Monster Calls,” turned their performance into an educational opportunity for students at Salem’s two middle schools, Glenvar and Andrew Lewis.

The play, adapted by Sally Cookson and Adam Peck from a Patrick Ness novel, is about a young boy who is grappling with his mother’s terminal illness. He finds an unlikely friend in a monster that appears at his bedroom window one night, and the monster guides him on a powerful journey.

Forty students at Andrew Lewis and Glenvar signed up to pre-read the play script and attend a matinee performance in Roanoke College’s Olin Theater on Friday, Feb. 21. Cast members Makenna Keith ’26 and Abel Gamelin ’26, along with student dramaturg Elizabeth Clay ’25, held three after-school meetings with the middle schoolers in which they discussed the play and its topics, explained how to prepare for a live performance, and answered student questions. The cast also welcomed some of the students for lunch in the Roanoke College dining hall.

"Theatre is unique in the fact that it is an art form that can be for anyone and everyone, and getting to work with younger students, at any level, is always such an exciting experience as someone who is pursuing a degree and career in theatre,” said Clay. “Seeing the excitement bloom for younger students is so rewarding,” she said, “because I remember experiencing my first play in middle school, which ultimately changed the course of my life, so I hope our production spoke to someone in the same way."

Cynthia Bowen, a 7th grade English teacher at Andrew Lewis, told the Salem Times-Register that she was grateful to the college for offering the engaging opportunity for her students. “Cancer and loss are two grim realities that young people face personally or through their relationships,” Bowen said. “Whenever students can read about and see characters navigate tough situations, they learn not only empathy but evaluative skills for how they might approach similar situations.”

The college also presented three evening performances of “A Monster Calls” that were open to the college community and the general public. While all of the performances went well, Adjunct Lecturer Danielle Barre, who directed the play, said the chance to do a deep dive on the play’s content with local students was especially rewarding.

“Student outreach performances are some of the most rewarding for our students,” Barre said. “They love having the opportunity to share their work and talk about the themes of the play. They get to see, in real time, the impact that these types of stories can have on people of all ages.”