PCHS Arts Academy presents Mean Girls: The Musical.

Photos by Jenn de Groot and Shania Martinez

By Abigail Medved

On April 11, 2024, Pueblo County High School’s Arts Academy performed Mean Girls: The Musical for the student body. Taylor Gilman directed the show along with Sage Russel as assistant director. Josh Muller directed the band. With the exception of having teacher direction, the show was completely student-run, with students playing the roles of actors, band members, and theater technicians.

“I am the Assistant Stage Manager,” says sophomore Emma Meyers, “My job is to help backstage with costume changes, mics, and really anything that needs to be done right then during show. My favorite part of the show is World Burn. This is one of the most well-lighted and directed parts. Watching it from stage left and seeing Regina (Addison Doub) in the pinkish-red light and having the pit pull it all together. It just makes for one of the best parts of Act 2.”

Mean Girls is a story about Cady Heron, a girl who moves to a new high school in Illinois. Surprisingly, Cady is accepted by the Plastics, a group of mean girls made up of Gretchen Weiners, Karen Smith, and Regina George. Though Cady pretends to fit in perfectly with the group, she plots to overthrow the reign of Regina. However, she ends up changing herself in the process. 

“I've had to overcome the challenge of seeing Cady,” says sophomore Elliet Johnson. “At first I just thought of her as an energetic girl, but now I see she's a lot more. She longs for validation from her peers so much she completely changes herself. She likes this boy so much she ruins another girl's life. She becomes manipulative and harsh, just like Regina. But ultimately she overcomes this and returns to her true self. It was difficult to really dissect Cady and see who she was at her core. But even though it was difficult, it really helped the character and how I portray her onstage.”

PCHS’s presentation of Mean Girls is starring many PCHS students including Elliet Johnson as Cady, Craig Allen as Damian, Sarah Paul as Janis, Jack Handcock as Aaron, Addison Doub as Regina, Ava Tucci as Karen, and Melia Muller as Gretchen.

The show went well! The audience enjoyed getting to know Cady, Regina, and the other characters. 

One audience member, junior Esaias Benabides, described the performance as “a musical masterpiece done by Pueblo County's drama department.”

“Definitely one for the books,” commented another PCHS audience member, sophomore Elizabeth Burger.

Despite the audience’s enjoyment, the students involved in the musical benefited from this experience the most. They not only learn how to put on a production but also how to bond with each other.

“I have learned how different groups of people can come together through this show. This is not just because of the show's theme but within the cast itself as well. Having everyone get along always makes for a great show,” shares senior Addison Doub, who starred as Regina George. 

If you are interested in watching the musical, PCHS Broadcasting has provided a recording of the performance, which can be found on Sting TV for anyone to view. 

Great job Hornets!

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