Big Dreams, Hard Work & Community are on Display as Mean Girls Opens Tonight
For many audience members, the Upper School’s production of Mean Girls, High School Version will seem effortlessly … fetch. But don’t be fooled as you take in this year’s winter musical; that seeming effortlessness is the product of three and a half months of dedication from the cast, crew, musicians and production team (and their families!). DA videographer and Upper School video production teacher Jesse Paddock documented the entire production process — from auditions and the first table read in early November, to costuming and set design decisions, to dress rehearsals over the past week.
Durham Academy Upper School is thrilled to present Mean Girls, High School Version as the 2026 winter musical, featuring the talents and hard work of more than 60 Upper Schoolers on the stage and behind the scenes. Come take in what's sure to be a fetch show at one of the four performances set for Feb. 19–21.
Based on the 2004 film, Mean Girls centers on Cady Heron, who moves from Kenya to the suburbs of Chicago and faces the challenges of navigating high school life. You’ll find the same iconic characters from the original film, including Cady’s new friends Janis and Damian; her love interest, Aaron; Mathletes captain Kevin G.; dozens of classmates; the adults who advise Cady (her parents, calculus teacher Ms. Norbury, Principal Duvall and Mrs. George); and, of course, the “Plastics” — Regina George, Gretchen Wieners and Karen Smith — who occupy the head of the social hierarchy at North Shore High School.
Only now, Tina Fey’s story is infused with an energetic and catchy musical score, loads of dancing, and one musical number after another that will have audiences bouncing in their seats and shouting with delight. The “High School Version” mirrors the original Broadway show, while allowing for some line and lyric alterations. It’s a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of climbing the social ladder, but by satirizing mean behavior, it ultimately delivers an important and hopeful message about the power of friendship and staying true to yourself. The show is going to wow audiences — you won’t want to miss it!
Mean Girls, High School Version
Thursday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m. AND 7:30 p.m.
Kenan Auditorium, DA Upper School Campus
- Admission: FREE*
- Tickets: www.da.org/reservations
- Estimated running time: Approx. 2 hours, 30 minutes (including intermission)
- Rating: PG–13 (adult language and content)**
Book by Tina Fey
Music by Jeff Richmond
Lyrics by Nell Benjamin
Based on the Paramount Pictures Film Mean Girls
*While admission is free, we expect large crowds, given the popularity of the source material. You are urged to reserve tickets to guarantee a seat.
**The show is rated PG-13 because of adult language and content (including teenage drinking, sexual references, bullying and comic violence). Since the show is based on the 2004 film and shares much of the content with the 2024 film adaptation of the Broadway show, parents can find more rating guidance about the show via websites like Common Sense Media to help them determine if the show is appropriate for younger children.
Attending one of the Saturday shows? Stick around after the 2 p.m. matinee or come early to the 7:30 p.m. evening show for an afternoon snack or early dinner from Mesas!
- Mesas, an El Salvadoran food truck, will be on site from 4–7 p.m.
- The Upper School Learning Commons will be available for dining.
- Orders may be placed in advance via the Mesas website.
Cast, Production Team, Crew & Musicians
Featured in the cast are the following Upper School students: Emma Bernstein, Caroline Bohanek, Brooke Briner, Micah Daley, Mosiah Daley, Clara Danser, Audrey Dickinson, Hannah Elman, Lee Gilson, Lilah Gilson, Gaby Goodman, Maren Hard, Conor Hernandez, Cabel Kraskin, Anna Lupa, Meera Mallik, Henry Martin, Myrto Maurides, Alessia Nogales-Norero, Lia Paisley, Julian Pasos, Olivia Pickens, Noah Posada, Noah Quiambao, Nicholas Rodriguez, Vera Ruth, Willem Schmidt, Nick Shaikh, Ashie Sinha, Harper Vick, Joss Webbink, Sophie Williamson, Anna Wood and Sofia Yanez.
The pit band, led by Michael L. Meyer, features several outside professionals and the following Upper School students: Grace Chumpitazi, Mateo Estigarribia, Valen Moore, Vin Posada, Adaora Spector and Emily Wood.
The student production team includes stage managers Avery Houser and Ry Tarpey, assistant stage manager Jake Fox and assistant director Noelle Keefe.
The following students collaborated on tech crew in sets, lights and costumes: Birdie Blitz, Kayla Cloninger, Amelia Hartwig, Madeleine Hartwig, Eve Jeter, Cameron Keegan, Eva Lasch-Gabara, Emilia Lupa, Natalie McWhorter, Mailyn Moore, Gemma Smith, Leo Sorin, Winnie Stone, Kane Woodward and Cana Yao.
Gratitude is also due to Caleb McMurtry’s Technical Theatre classes for their work on the set and lights: Ben Brock, Gibbs Durack, Ausley Harward, Derick Lee and Michaela Warren.
So reserve your tickets now and join the Mean Girls cast and crew for a hilarious, fun-filled, energetic evening of musical theatre. Bust out your best Wednesday pink clothing and come see Mean Girls!