Smyrna, TN – Thespians at Stewarts Creek High School are turning heads and tugging heartstrings with its latest one-act production, A Monster Calls. This isn’t just another high school play—it’s a raw, emotional journey through grief, love, and the monsters we carry inside. And yes, it’s the school’s official competition piece for the Tennessee Theatre Association, so the stakes are high and the talent is even higher.

At the center of it all is Connor O’Malley, a 13-year-old boy whose world is unraveling as his mother battles a devastating illness. Connor isn’t just scared—he’s drowning in fear, denial, and a desperate wish to escape the truth. But when a mysterious monster shows up—not to scare him, but to guide him—Connor begins a painful but powerful transformation. Through stories spun by this unlikely frenemy, Connor learns that sometimes the only way out of a nightmare is straight through it.

Senior Valerie Ferkany steps into the spotlight behind the scenes as assistant director, helping shape this emotionally charged production.

If you’re ready to be moved, mark your calendar for October 18th at 6 PM. The Red Hawk Theater on the Stewarts Creek campus (301 Red Hawk Pkwy, Smyrna) will host this unforgettable performance. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students, available at the box office or online at creekfinearts.ludus.com. Doors open at 5:30 PM, and trust us—you’ll want a good seat.

This production isn’t just about showcasing talent. It’s about coming together as a community to support young artists who are telling a story that resonates with anyone who’s ever faced loss, fear, or the messy truth of growing up..

So come out, support local talent, and let yourself be swept into a story that’s as haunting as it is healing.