As the new director of the high school musical, Mary Schoppers is embarking on a fresh chapter for the theater program with a bold choice: “Mean Girls”.
“I want something that these kids can relate to and that they have real experiences with so that we can tackle these issues on more than just the stage,” Schoppers explains. “All the other shows before were amazing, but I think that it’s time to hold the mirror to some of these kids, and to help build a culture of positivity within the theater, which will help them throughout the rest of the school.”
Schoppers is stepping into the role of director for the first time this year, with her vast experience despite not holding a formal degree in musical theater. Her background includes a strong foundation in high school theater, where she was deeply involved in both acting and choreography. Schoppers previously worked on productions such as “Little Mermaid”, “Adams Family”, “Freaky Friday”, and “Mama Mia”.
The decision to select “Mean Girls” was deliberate. Schoppers explained that she wanted a musical that resonated with students on a personal level. She plans to explore the dynamics of female aggression and the societal pressures that dictate how girls should handle conflict.
“It’s about true aggression within girls, and the fact that boys are allowed to fight each other and just be done with it and kind of resolve their feelings that way,” Schoppers said. “But girls have always been taught to be quiet and demure and to hold it in. This is a play where it all comes out, and so I want to look at this with the students and say, okay, what can we do in these real life situations of bullying, and how can we spread this message throughout the school?”
This choice reflects a shift towards addressing contemporary challenges and fostering a culture of positivity within the theater program.
Schoppers is emphasizing a more inclusive atmosphere and trying to make musical theater seem less intimidating. This approach aims to encourage broader participation and seems to be working, the cast for this year’s production is notably younger, with many freshmen and sophomores filling key roles. This fresh talent highlights the director’s intent to engage and develop younger students.
In a bid to align with this vision, Schoppers has made the decision to exclude elementary school students from attending the show due to its PG-13 rating. Instead, they are excited to involve English Language (EL) students, ensuring that the performance reaches a diverse audience and fosters understanding among different groups.
Despite the shift in direction, Schoppers feels supported by the school and its community. She has assembled a team including Ken Fiscus for set design and Aaron Barts for vocal and music direction. This collaborative effort aims to create a high-quality production.
For those interested in getting involved, whether on stage or behind the scenes, Schoppers encourages students to join the theater program.
“What I’m trying to change is that some students have been intimidated by the theater program, and I am trying to make this a place that anybody in the school can walk into and feel welcome in,” Schoppers said. There are opportunities for both cast and crew, providing a chance to experience the production process from various angles.
As “Mean Girls” takes the stage, it’s clear that Schoppers is not just presenting a musical but fostering a dialogue about important issues and building a more inclusive theater culture. With these changes, the production is set to make a significant impact both on and off the stage.