Hoboken High School Delivers High-Impact 'Mean Girls' Performance

Press release from Hoboken Public School District:

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken High School transported audiences back into the world of hallway hierarchies, bold fashion statements, and unforgettable one-liners as its theater department presented the Broadway musical "Mean Girls" from Nov. 14-16.

Known for its sharp wit and iconic lines like, “On Wednesdays, we wear pink,” the production lit up the stage as one of the school’s most ambitious and high-energy shows in recent years.

The Hoboken Public School District is widely recognized for its expansive arts programming, often producing district-wide performances involving more than 100 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Building on that tradition, Hoboken High School’s stand-alone theatre program continued the momentum with a Mean Girls cast of 37 performers who embraced the challenge of portraying the exaggerated yet strikingly familiar world of high school life. Notably, 12 cast members made their theatrical debut, stepping into the spotlight with confidence and charisma.

Though sparkly, comedic, and wildly entertaining, Mean Girls is a deceptively demanding musical that pushes students vocally, musically, and technically. Lead roles required advanced vocal range, sustained belting, comic timing, and exceptional stamina. Ensemble numbers relied on tight harmonies, rapid-fire lyrics, and strong rhythmic precision, all within a contemporary pop-rock score that calls for stylistic nuance beyond traditional choral training.

Behind the scenes, the production’s scope was equally impressive. Rapid scene changes moved audiences from classrooms to the mall to the Spring Fling, requiring flawless coordination, focus, and teamwork from the stage crew. Costume design showcased the many iconic looks associated with “the Plastics,” alongside Halloween costumes, Mathlete gear, gym attire, and formal wear. Complex choreography energized major musical numbers throughout the show, demanding both athleticism and sharp spatial awareness from the cast.

Musical Message

At its core, the musical’s message resonated deeply with students and community members alike. Beneath the humor lies a timeless reminder that authenticity is more powerful than popularity and that kindness matters, themes captured poignantly in the show’s standout number, “I’d Rather Be Me.”

Hoboken High School will be submitting the production for professional adjudication across acting, design, and technical categories in statewide and international competitions, including the Speech and Theatre Association of New Jersey Governor’s Awards in Arts Education, the New Jersey Thespians Festival, Montclair State University’s Foxy Awards, Hudson County Teen Arts, and the International Thespian Festival.

The talented cast included: Sihana Alaj, X’slora Beverly, Fiona Blaylock, Aria Canelo, Gabriel Colon, Channing Chung, Rye Critelli, Alexander Dallara, Lucas Daly, Athena Elshafey, Jose Figueroa, Sihanna Garcia, Mayla Gregory, Julieta Guzman Espinosa, Stefan Jovanovski, Jackson Kirsch, Allistair Lidel, Sharaf Louis, Tyler Mara, Dyana Martinez, Kevin Melendez, Hannah Morley, Maxine Nieroda, Magnus Peterka, Brianna Perez, Cecilia Platt, Michelle Puharre, Emerson Real, Kyla Richardson, Gabriel Rivas, Jayden Rosser, Avery Roth, Crisshayla Rivera, Martin Shchudro, Amelia Tlacuilo, and Rebecca Wu.

The production team was led by Director Derek Kinnear, Assistant Director Gina Rotondi, Music Director Robert See, Choreographer Christina Cruz, and Dance Captain Aishah Tapia. Malcolm Cummins and Dante Bates served as set builders, Dave Stasiak managed sound, and Danielle Miller supervised the production.

The production team was led by Director Derek Kinnear, Assistant Director Gina Rotondi, Music Director Robert See, Choreographer Christina Cruz, and Dance Captain Aishah Tapia. Malcolm Cummins and Dante Bates served as set builders, Dave Stasiak managed sound, and Danielle Miller supervised the production.

For more information about Hoboken High School’s theatre program and upcoming events, contact Danielle Miller, Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts, Danielle.Miller@hoboken.k12.nj.us.

This press release was produced by Hoboken Public School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.