| Poudre High School Performing Arts | ||
| presents | ||
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Tina Fey |
Jeff Richmond |
Nell Benjamin |
| Based on the Paramount Pictures film Mean Girls | ||
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Music Director/Conductor Bennett Stucky |
Vocal Director David Lonowski |
Choreographer Sierra LaRue |
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Costume Director Kari Armstrong |
Technical Director Laura Lenczycki |
Audio & Lighting Designer Alec Munoz |
| Directed by Joel Smith | ||
| Projection Design by Nick Wass | ||
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Stage Manager Octavio Sutton |
Student Director Lucia Cruz-Rodenbeck |
Student Technical Director Jeremiah Daley |
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| Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI (mtishows.com) | ||
| Audio or video recording of this performance is strictly prohibited. | ||
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Song List
Act One
"A Cautionary Tale" – Janis and Damian
"It Roars" – Cady and Ensemble
"It Roars (Reprise)" – Cady and Ensemble
"Where Do You Belong?" – Damian, Janis, Cady, and Ensemble
"Meet the Plastics" – Regina, Gretchen, Karen, Janis, Damian, and Cady
"Stupid With Love" – Cady
"Apex Predator" – Janis and Cady
"What’s Wrong with Me?" – Gretchen
"Stupid with Love (Reprise)" – Cady and Aaron
"Sexy" – Karen and Ensemble
"Someone Gets Hurt" – Regina, Aaron, and Ensemble
"Revenge Party" – Janis, Damian, Cady, and Ensemble
"Fearless" – Cady, Gretchen, Karen, Taylor, and Ensemble
"Someone Gets Hurt (Reprise 1)" – Regina
Act Two
"A Cautionary Tale (Reprise)" – Janis and Damian
"Stop" – Damian and Ensemble
"What’s Wrong With Me (Reprise)" – Gretchen and Mrs. George
"Whose House Is This?" – Kevin, Cady, Gretchen, Karen, and Ensemble
"More Is Better" – Cady and Aaron
"Someone Gets Hurt (Reprise 2)" – Janis and Damian
"World Burn" – Regina and Ensemble
"I’d Rather Be Me" – Janis and Ensemble
"Fearless (Reprise)"† – Cady
"Do This Thing" – Cady, Ms. Norbury, Kevin, Mathletes, and Ensemble
"I See Stars" – Cady and Full Company
Cast
Creative Team
Octavio Sutton
Lucia Cruz-Rodenbeck
Jeremiah "Geralt" Daley
Esther R Ambrose
Laurie Lindsey
Maya Scott-Donegan
Sara Ogden
Michael Abramowitz
Skyler Lamoreaux
Alice Kress
Eddy Merritt
Mia Pulido
Maia Shaddeau
Miles Croft
Birdie Fry
Emily Hertzog
Sam Hopkins
Izzy Johnson
Charli Lawler
Juelz Martin
Madeline Paige
Gwyneth Parker
Marleigh Wells
Liam White
Gib Wessel
Finn Yadon
Maeve Schinkel
Carter Larsen
Alex Belda
Hayden Knudsen
Willow Conant
Enid Croak
Leyton Dellemonache
Arabelle Gillies
Sienna Kovari-Martinez
Ace Laviolette
Reagan McIver
Karen Newman
Katy Riley
Emily Sherpa
Pearl Volk
On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink
Just before spring break last year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Eleven days after a clear mammogram, a doctor found a lump at a regular yearly check-up. Her intuition was to wait for a few months and monitor me for changes. I am very proactive about my health and consider myself one of the healthiest middle-aged women I’ve ever known. I had none of the typical risk factors for cancer. However, after a week, my intuition told me to request a follow-up ultrasound to check the lump. Cancer was detected and I began treatment immediately with the amazing medical community in Fort Collins. My oncology team told me that advocating for my health in this way may have saved my life. And, they asked me to share how important it is to advocate for your health with the young women I teach and coach. Breast cancer will occur during the lifetime of 1 in 8 women. Early detection is critical—and especially in young women—it is most often found in a self-exam. Most women won’t have mammograms until they are 40. It is critical for young women to form this habit early. High school girls, please use this as your motivation to choose one day a month to complete a self-exam for the rest of your life!
One of the most difficult parts of the cancer journey was sharing the diagnosis with my own children and my students. When I told one class, it felt particularly heavy. I asked, “Oh my gosh. Some of you have already gone through this with your mom. Who?” Four students raised their hands. The mothers of my students immediately responded with support and information. One mom told me about a wonderful local non-profit, Hope Lives, that supports women with breast cancer. Any donations collected at the show will go to Hope Lives and will benefit women in our community. The women at Hope Lives also asked me to share my story with my students as they were supporting two women in their 20’s with late stage cancer which may have been partly overlooked because they were so young.
Not only has Hope Lives made my journey through cancer more comfortable, but the Poudre High School community has buoyed me up. Your notes, quilts, flowers, gift cards, hugs, car bashes, plant sales, and love have encouraged me to remain positive. When Mr. Smith said that the Mean Girls’ line “On Wednesdays we wear pink,” was a call for breast cancer awareness, I agreed to help. Please know that I am open to sharing my experiences and the many things I’ve learned. I’m all about education, so don’t be afraid to ask me questions!
Finally, thanks to Poudre Theatre for taking an opportunity to make the fall musical more than an amazing production, but a chance to spread awareness about breast cancer.
Kristy Bibbey
PHS Science Teacher and Coach
Though our weekly Wednesday fundraising drive, Poudre Theatre has raised over $1000 for Hope Lives. After the show, stop by the table to purchase t-shirts and wristbands. All proceeds are donated to this local organization suporting breast cancer patients and survivors.
The Bobby G Awards
Poudre High School's
production of
Mean Girls - High School Version
is proud to participate in

a program recognizing and rewarding excellence in the production of high school musicals.
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Costumer Snippets
Going into this show, I thought it would be at least somewhat “easy”. Contemporary clothing for a story taking place now, high school fashion, easy to find details…pretty simple, right? Well, as it turns out…. WRONG.
Coming up to the surface (from the hidden basement costume shop) to observe the general high school population roaming the hallways, I saw mostly a sea of grey, blue and black. Very little color! And that just won’t do for visual impact on stage. With the informed help of costume crew and many of the personal wardrobe pieces from the cast, we were able to insert color where we could, (suspending reality a bit), and still manage to present a realistic high school look.
And THEN, there is the brief appearance of actors wearing/holding African animals! Costume craft was introduced, and messy creativity ensued. You will soon see the stunning papier mache work of the amazing costume crew as they took on that piece of design work.
The production jumped from “easy” to challenging in no time at all. Silly me.
There are SO many costume changes— as the play spans a full school year. There are truly interesting characters to illustrate, with often 4-8 costume changes apiece….(times 31 cast members) Backstage quick changes are a major feat of high-speed choreography. Not to mention throwing in a few African animals!
But then, of course I know in my heart of hearts that there are NEVER productions here at Poudre Theatre which are “easy” to costume. As others have done before them, this costume crew, in their excitement, commitment, patience and imaginative talent, has taken this show above and beyond “easy”.
They are brilliant and wonderful like that.
Thank you to all the cast, technicians and directors who collaborated on this show: Laura Lenczycki and Alec Munoz, the set and tech is great! Thank you, Bennett Stucky and pit orchestra. Thank you to Sierra LaRue for her very fun and multi-faceted choreography. Thanks always to Joel Smith, my brilliant, hilarious friend and colleague. And thank you to Don Cox, my dear husband and biggest fan, and to my patient and supportive family.
Kari Armstrong
Costume Director
Pit Orchestra
Brandon Downing -- Keyboards
Aurora Meadows -- Flute
Aya Elhemri -- Violin
Benjamin Hlawaty -- Trumpet
Charli Lawler -- Violin
Jackson Dean -- Trombone
Jacob Blaisdell -- Trumpet
Kinsey Myrick -- Viola
Lily Lemley -- Clarinet
Masen Odell -- Violin
Mason Opfer -- Bass
Nathaniel Barrett -- Trombone
Nicholas Dore -- Percussion
Asha Garner -- Clarinet/Soprano Sax
Nina Low -- Clarinet/Bass Clarinet
Quiana Vasquez -- Violin
Savannah Wriglesworth -- Alto Saxophone
Sophiya Quigley -- Drums
Spencer Kitchens -- Violin
Meet the Company
Charlotte Baker
Charlotte is a sophomore and is thrilled about her third PHS theatre production, having had roles in Matilda and Almost Maine her freshman year. She’s been playing guitar since age 8 and singing since she could speak! She loves playing gigs around town, reading, and traveling with her family. Playing Cady Heron in Mean Girls has been a dream opportunity!
Pele' Allen
Pele is making her third appearance in a Poudre Theatre production, her first playing Jetsam in The Little Mermaid, and the Cook/Singing telegram girl in Clue-onstage. She would like to thank her family and all those involved in the company of Mean Girls for their undying support.
Suzie Matlock
Suzie has been a part of Poudre Theatre since she was a Freshman, but is now a Junior. She played the role of Lavender in Matilda, and was nominated for the Bobby G Awards. Suzie was also in multiple other shows. She would like to thank her family and friends for the unconditional love and support throughout the years.
Finn Vaughn
Finn is a senior, continuing his work in theatre, most notably portraying every part in a class reading of Taming of the Shrew. Due to the overwhelming amount of people he’d like to recognize, he listed them instead: the Roys, Jesse Armstrong, Matty Healy, Nicholas Britell, Rosie, REM, Emma Seligman, Paul Mescal, Bijan Robinson, Kevin Durant, Lily Gladstone, and Tensing.
Christine Pannell
Christine is a senior this year and is very excited to be a part of her last musical, Mean Girls! She recently played Mrs. White in Clue and Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda. Her favorite role has been Bippy the House Elf in Puffs. She wants to thank her Mom and Dutch Bros for supporting her so much through this production.
Zoe Andreson
Zoë is excited to take part in her second show at Poudre High School. Her most previous role was Miss Honey in Poudre's production of Matilda. She is also a competitive figure skater and would like to thank her family and her exchange sister, Tea, for supporting her. Karen in Mean Girls has been her dream role since 7th Grade.
Zoe White
Zoe is very exited to make her high school acting debut in Mean Girls. A senior in IB, she also enjoys guitar, equestrian sports, all things art, and volunteering at a local animal shelter.
Harper Skjerseth
Harper is so excited to be portraying Ms. Norbury. Harper is a junior this year and has been seen both onstage and backstage. Some of her most recent shows include Almost Maine and Clue. She would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her through this challenging show and Tina Fey for just being Tina Fey.
Cooper Hix
Cooper is a Senior at Poudre High School and is excited to partake in his 3rd production at Poudre High School, he has recently played Mr. Green in Clue as well as East/Daniel/Chad in Almost, Maine and is looking forward to playing the role of Aaron Samuels in Mean Girls.
Lennon Shipton
Lennon is a Freshman here at Poudre High School. He has been doing theatre seriously since the 6th grade at Lincoln Middle School. Mean Girls will be his second production here at Poudre, his first being the one-act play Check Please. He would like to thank his fellow cast and crew for helping create this incredible production.
Owen Johnson
Making his debut with Poudre Theatre, Owen decided to take a break from captaining Poudre’s own team of mathletes, in order to take on the role of Principal Duvall in this production of Mean Girls. Owen is excited to finish his senior year acting with this wonderful and unique company.
Rodeline Bain
Josephine Beck
Josephine Beck is a junior this year and is very excited to be acting in this production of Mean Girls the musical! This is her third musical with Poudre Theatre! Her previous shows include The Little Mermaid, Puffs, Romeo and Juliet, Matilda, and Almost Maine. She wants to thank everyone who supports her and hopes you enjoy the show!
Ayla Chinn
Ayla is participating in her first Poudre theater production. She has been performing since she was young. Her previous roles include Toad in A Year with Frog and Toad, Peter in Peter Pan, and Genie in Aladdin. She'd like to thank the directors for giving her the opportunity to participate in Mean Girls and is looking forward to future productions.
Calen Clapp
Calen Clapp, a sophomore attending Poudre high school. Is excited and honored to perform in this production of Mean Girls. You may recognize him from his past roles as Bruce in Matilda and the Cop in Clue. He is thankful for having such a talented cast to work alongside of.
Marlie Clark
Marlie is a junior and this will be her third production at Poudre Theatre. Most recently, Matilda, as ensemble, and Almost, Maine, as Suzette, Sandrine, and Deena. She would like to thank her family, friends, and loving boyfriend for their support. Marlie has loved being a part of this company and can't wait to share this production with an audience.
Milo Deshene
Sydney Driskell
Sydney played Scuttle in The Little Mermaid and Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone. She has been doing theatre ever since 5th grade and has loved it. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her in every performance, but mainly Andrew Wallace for sparking her passion for theatre in the first place. She hopes to continue this love for the rest of her life if not as a job a hobby.
Madeline Duveneck
Madeline Duveneck is excited to be on the PHS stage as a senior in this production. With a love of performing, Mean Girls has been such a joyful experience for her to be reintroduced into the world of theater. She is so grateful to her wonderful family, friends and castmates for being so supportive throughout this experience.
Gunner Farrell
Gunner Farrell is a young student at Poudre High School. Where he lacks in stage experience he makes up in performance potential and has a drive to work hard and put in the effort when motivated correctly. He has an upcoming and first performance ever in the form of Mean Girls.
Alexia Francel
Landan Hawks
Annabelle LaPlante
Annabelle is excited to return for her second musical production at Poudre High School Theatre. Her journey with theatre began with Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island, Jungle Book, and Shrek- The Musical at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse. She later explored the magic of the high-school stage in productions like Matilda. With 13 years of dance experience, she's passionate about acting, choreography, and singing, eager to advance her acting career and embrace new opportunities that reflect her deep love for performing.
Trinity Lovato
Merrick Mackinney
Merrick started his theater experience as a costume designer for The Little Mermaid the Musical, Puffs, and Romeo & Juliet. After landing a last-minute acting role as Rudolpho in Matilda the Musical, he has since fallen in love with musical theater. He is grateful for the Poudre Theatre department and all the opportunities it has provided him!
Zoe Mozer
Zoe Mozer is a Junior this year and is exited to be involved in this theater production, this is her first musical production and she hopes to continue this amazing journey in singing, dancing and acting.
Mira Pinnella
Mira is a currently a junior at Poudre High School. This is her first production at Poudre, but she has acted in numerous plays and musicals outside of school. In her free time, Mira also plays soccer. She would like to thank her parents for supporting her during this production and for waking her up for morning rehearsal.
Aria Weiner
Aria Weiner is excited to be joining the cast of Mean Girls for her first show at Poudre High School! She has been a part of many community theatre productions with Fort Collins Children's Theatre including Elf (featured ensemble), Seussical (Mayzie) and James and the Giant Peach (James). She hopes you enjoy the show!
Brooklyn Wilkes
Brooklyn is a sophomore and this is her fifth show working with Poudre. She worked on the costume crew for Matilda and the technical crew for Clue, Almost Maine, and Mamma Mia last year. As her first time acting in a show before, she is super glad to have worked with this amazing cast and crew for this stunning production.
Logan Yaste
Logan has been a member of Poudre Theatre since her freshman year. She was in Little Mermaid and Matilda. She would like to thank her parents for patiently encouraging her.
El Zweygart
El is a Freshmen at Poudre High School. They love drawing and acting, and they plan to go to college for the arts when they graduate. They thank their parents for supporting them and their interests, as well as driving them around everywhere.
Octavio Sutton
Lucia Cruz-Rodenbeck
Jeremiah "Geralt" Daley
Esther R Ambrose
Laurie Lindsey
Maya Scott-Donegan
Sara Ogden
Michael Abramowitz
Skyler Lamoreaux
Alice Kress
Eddy Merritt
Mia Pulido
Maia Shaddeau
Miles Croft
Birdie Fry
Emily Hertzog
Sam Hopkins
Izzy Johnson
Charli Lawler
Juelz Martin
Madeline Paige
Gwyneth Parker
Marleigh Wells
Liam White
Gib Wessel
Finn Yadon
Maeve Schinkel
Carter Larsen
Alex Belda
Hayden Knudsen
Willow Conant
Enid Croak
Leyton Dellemonache
Arabelle Gillies
Sienna Kovari-Martinez
Ace Laviolette
Reagan McIver
Karen Newman
Katy Riley
Emily Sherpa
Pearl Volk
Articles
MEAN GIRLS Movie Musical to Be Released In Theaters This January
The Mean Girls movie musical will now be released in theaters on January 12, 2024.
Deadline reports that the highly-anticipated movie musical has been shifted to a theatrical release from its previously confirmed streaming debut on Paramount+.
The move to cinemas is seen as a big marketing move for the film, opening on the MLK 4-day weekend.
The film stars Angourie Rice as Cady Heron, Auli'i Cravalho as Janis, Jaquel Spivey as Damian, Avantika as Karen Shetty, Bebe Wood as Gretchen Wieners, Christopher Briney as Aaron Samuels, Mahi Alam as Kevin Ganatra, and Reneé Rapp reprising her Broadway role as Regina George.
Busy Philipps is set to appear as Mrs. George and Jenna Fischer will play Ms. Heron. Tina Fey and Tim Meadows will reprise their roles from the original film with Jon Hamm joining as Coach Carr. Tony nominated star of the Broadway production, Ashley Park, is also set to appear in the film.
Mean Girls is produced by Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey with the musical's writing team, including Fey's book and music by Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, returning for the screen adaption.
The teen comedy follows Cady Heron, who may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order?
By taking on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina's reign, she learns the hard way that you can't cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.
Mean Girls opened on Broadway in 2018 and earned 10 Tony nominations. The production closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tina Fey & Tim Meadows to Reprise MEAN GIRLS Roles in Movie Musical
Original film cast members Tina Fey and Tim Meadows will reprise their original Mean Girls film roles in the upcoming movie musical.
During an interview on Late Night With Seth Meyers last night, Fey shared that she and Meadows "are going to be back." Fey also confirmed that filming on the Paramount picture will begin on March 6.
Fey, who also wrote the original film and Broadway musical, plays math teacher Ms. Norbury, with Meadows as Mr. Duvall, the school's principal.
"We couldn't age out, teachers work forever. I want it to be like when Gilligan from Gilligan's Island was at a trade show and you're like, 'Oh he looks so old in his little hat,'" Fey stated about returning to the original role. Tim Meadows also also the only principal cast member from the original film to return for the 2011 sequel, Mean Girls 2.
The TODAY Show confirmed their casting this morning.
The will join the previously reported Angourie Rice as Cady Heron, Auli'i Cravalho as Janis, Jaquel Spivey as Damian, Avantika as Karen Smith, Bebe Wood as Gretchen Wieners, Christopher Briney as Aaron Samuels, and Reneé Rapp reprising her Broadway role as Regina George.
The film is set to be produced by Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey with the musical's writing team, including Fey's book and music by Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, returning for the screen adaption.
The teen comedy follows Cady Heron, who may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order?
By taking on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina's reign, she learns the hard way that you can't cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.
Mean Girls opened on Broadway in 2018 and earned 10 Tony nominations. The production closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tina Fey is a writer, actor, and producer known for her award-winning series "30 Rock" and for nine seasons on "Saturday Night Live" (Weekend Update, Sarah Palin, Mom Jeans.) Films include Sisters, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Date Night, Mean Girls (her first screenplay). In 2010 she became the youngest recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Her book Bossypants has sold 2.5 million copies. She co-created "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (Netflix) and is an Executive Producer on "Great News" (NBC).
Tim Meadows was a cast member on Saturday Night Live for 10 seasons, setting a record at the time for being the longest tenured cast member. He has been seen on TV in 30 Rock, The Office, Girls5Eva, Poker Face, Bobs Burgers, Inside Amy Schumer, and more. His film credits include Grown Ups, Hubie Halloween, Wayne's World 2, The Cookout, Jack & Jill, and more.
Watch the interview here:
Coming Soon...
Up next at Poudre Theatre!

February 2024

April 2024
More info and tickets at www.poudretheatre org.
Director's Notes
My hair is gone, but my heart is full.
I have been doing this for over 30 years. I continue to find my purpose in a line from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet: Work is Love made visible. I hope I have done a good job making my love for this show, these students, my colleagues, theatre, music, art, creativity, life visible. Because right now I don't think it is enough to just feel it or think about it occasionally. It has to be visible; your love MUST be seen. You have to do the work. A lot, if we are going to make it through.
It is an honor to work with a company or actors, singers, dancers, technicians, costumers, musicians, and artists who put their love into their work every day. Big fun is big work, and though we have really enjoyed building this production, it has been a lot of work. Probably more than we thought it would be! And I am awed by the generosity, dedication, patience, and energy of this company. I hope they can be as proud of their work as I am.
My sincerest thanks to David, Bennett and Chris. Laura and Alec: you are the teachers I strive to be. Sierra, you are one of those rare people that can take the mush in my head and turn it into beautiful dance: thank you! My partner-in-crime, muse, sparring partner, conscience, and good friend, Kari, there are no words big enough to hold my gratitude. You just can't retire: I don't ever want to do this without you!
To the Poudre Theatre class of 2024, I can't believe how far you have come. You started in pandemic streaming shows and look at you now. I see you; you are stars.
My extended Mamma Mia! company, I love you and miss you. The vibrations you started in my soul continue to echo and ripple outward.
I worry about the girls. The queen bees and the wannabe's. The boys, too. I worry that we are building them a world of hate and fear. My heart is broken by the tragedies of the Middle East, the senselessness of ever-more-frequent mass killings, the horrors of the evening news. But I sincerely hope these young people will keep singing, keep dancing, keep building something beautiful.
Company of Mean Girls:
- Be patient, with each other and with yourselves.
- Do your hard work and make your love visible to everyone around you.
- Be generous and know that all you give to others you also give to yourself.
- Be fearless.
- Be KIND.
- Shine like the stars you are.
These are the things I wish for. This is the work I still have to do. It's hard, and I am tired, but I'm ready to go.
And, okay, I'm not going to lie: getting a shout-out from Tina Fey is pretty cool. Like, Regina George-level cool. I have long been a fan of her humor, but now even more a fan of her generosity. I hope we have honored her amazing script and story.
I hope.
Here forever,
J Smith
November 2023










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