Navigating high school can be tough – four years of walking those hallowed halls can be fun, but they can also be a time of painful self-discovery and, gulp, dealing with cliques.
Books have been written and movies filmed about high school cliques in just about every generation – and now, the students of Durango High School Troupe 1096 will kick off their new season with a production of “Mean Girls,” opening Friday and running through Nov. 16.
If you go
WHAT: Durango High School Troupe 1096 performs “Mean Girls,” book by Tina Fey, lyrics by Nell Benjamin, music by Jeff Richmond.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16.
WHERE: Durango High School, 2390 Main Ave.
TICKETS: $15, available online at https://tinyurl.com/y264h824.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit https://troupe1096.weebly.com.
NOTE: Show contains references to alcohol/drugs and some profanity.
“Mean Girls,” is a musical adaptation of the 2004 film of the same name. Written by Tina Fey and with lyrics by Nell Benjamin and music by Jeff Richmond, it’s the story of “new student Cady Heron, who gets welcomed into the top of the social food chain by an elite group of popular girls called the Plastics, ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George. However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend, she soon finds herself caught in their crosshairs,” according to Troupe 1096’s website.
“‘Mean Girls’ has been one of my most favorite productions to put on,” said senior Avery Edgar, who plays Regina George in the show and is the front-of-house manager for tech. “It’s a show that strongly resonates with high schoolers, which allows us to have fun and embrace the process of constructing this musical. It’s a timeless story with a modern twist, and being able to participate heavily in this show has been an incredibly fun experience.”
The Troupe’s production features a large cast, which can be challenging for everyone, Edgar said, because it includes many moving parts and ensuring light and sound are spot-on.
It’s a sentiment senior and Troupe Co-President Noah Oury shares, adding that while managing such a large production could get out of hand, everyone pulling together makes it work.
“With such a large cast comes a few challenges, including people’s personal conflicts, choreography and communication,” he said. “However, with the help of the directors, (Ben) Mattson and (Jenny) Fitts, student choreographers Gillian Reynolds and Ava Allen, and stage managers, we can work through these obstacles smoothly. Their guidance and expertise ensures that everyone stays on track, and their creative vision keeps the cast motivated and unified.
“The lively group numbers, such as ‘It Roars’ and ‘Fearless’ have provided fantastic opportunities for the cast to collaborate, laugh and just have a great time overall,” said Oury, who plays Aaron.
Most of us know “Mean Girls” from the film starring Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams. And while that film turns 20 this year (!), the issues it explored are still as present today as they were even before the movie.
“I believe that the themes are still very applicable and relevant in our modern day, especially the production’s comment on social media, cliques and judgment,” said junior Giada Gierhart, who plays Ms. Norbury. “Being set in a high school, these themes are especially applicable to high school-age students.”
The technical side of the production is also not without its challenges, said senior Evelyn Powell, who is co-technical director, stage manager and master carpenter.
“‘Mean Girls’ is a fun play to put on, but there are definitely a lot of challenges, especially as we get closer to opening,” she said. “It is a lot of work; I have put in over 60 hours just on constructing the set, but it is worth it. I love theater, and think that there is nothing that can compare to watching a story be performed live. It is incredibly satisfying when I get to see this beautiful production, and know that I was a big part of making it happen.”
Powell said she thinks the show’s themes remains relevant, especially for those working their way through high school.
“A big part of the show, and why most of the story happens is because Cady (the protagonist) wants to belong somewhere. I think that fitting in is something everyone struggles with in their day to day life, especially high schoolers,” she said. “Obviously, it is good to find people that you feel comfortable with, but this show goes into the difference between finding people who truly love you, and changing yourself to fit in to other people’s standards. Cady thinks that in order to survive high school, she has to become a plastic, and in doing so, she loses herself, and betrays her true friends.
“‘Mean Girls’ teaches us that while being ‘mean’ isn’t necessarily a thing that can be stopped; the best way to get through life is to unapologetically be yourself, and not judge others for doing the same,” Powell said.
katie@durangoherald.com
