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Highland seniors embrace the spotlight in ‘Mean Girls: The Musical’
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
RIVERSIDE — At Highland High School this past weekend, pink wasn’t just a color — it was a celebration. The school’s Fine Arts department transformed the school gym into North Shore High as students performed Mean Girls: The Musical with energy, heart and humor.
The production, which ran Nov. 8 and 9, served as a fitting capstone for a cast of 24 students, half which are seniors this year.
Director Jeremiah Carter, Assistant Director Jacob Allen, Executive Producer Andrew McDonald, many parents, Fine Arts Boosters and volunteers turned the modest gym into a dynamic theater space. The show featured numerous creative blocking strategies to make the best use of a smaller stage with rotating desks to signal changing classrooms and extending the acting area onto the floor with stairs and cafeteria tables.
Throughout the show, lighting, designed by Owen Piette, shifted from blues to reds to capture emotional turns, and when Regina George’s Burn Book scandal erupted, tech crew members tossed papers into the crowd, drawing the audience into the chaos.
At the center of it all was senior Greta Piette as Cady Heron, whose wide-eyed charm and powerful voice carried the story.
Piette, who previously starred in Beauty and the Beast and Matilda, once again proved why she’s a standout in Highland’s theater program. Highland Fine Arts Booster Megan Moss Allen praised Piette’s “magical voice” and “unbelievable acting,” adding that her energy “leaves you wanting to see more.”
Opposite her, senior Hailey Plank commanded the stage as Regina George, balancing intimidation and charisma in equal measure.
“Every time you step onto the stage you own it and make it yours,” Moss Allen said in a senior tribute. “You embodied Regina George and made it your own.”
Senior Cassidy Duster brought warmth and wit to Gretchen Wieners, nailing the character’s nervous charm and standout solo. Duster, who has been in nearly every Highland production since her freshman year expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity.
“I would like to thank everyone for coming to this show and everyone who supported us,” she said. “My family always encourages me in what I do and shows up for my events.”
Catherine Ordaz-Pulido rounded out the senior leads as Ms. Norbury, delivering sharp comedic timing and authenticity that anchored the story’s moral core.
Moss Allen called her “a rock star at gathering all the people and making sure where they are supposed to be,” adding that Ordaz-Pulido’s passion “brings joy to those around her.”
The production also featured memorable performances from a talented ensemble. Senior Chase Hickenbottom returned to the stage after two years backstage, earning laughter and applause as the expressive and sassy Damian.
Wyatt Richardson’s turn as Kevin G mixed humor with confidence, and Brena Hazelett’s certainly looked the part of Mrs. George in her matching pink velour track suit.
Owen Knox, as Coach Carr, and Spencer Tompkin, as Principal Duvall, rounded out the senior cast with steady, scene-stealing performances.
Behind the humor and choreography, the weekend’s performances carried a bittersweet note for seniors and their parents as the run concluded with senior night Saturday.
Graduating seniors were honored with banners, gifts and applause that stretched beyond the final bow. The cast also recognized director Jeremiah Carter for his guidance and creativity in return.
For the Highland community, Mean Girls: The Musical wasn’t just about high school gossip or pink Wednesdays. It was about growth. It was about young performers learning to lead, to take risks, and to trust their voices.
“My favorite memory has been the whole musical,” senior Jack Krotz, who played Martin said. “The experience of trying something new and meeting new people.”
As the lights dimmed on Saturday night and the cast took their final bow, the audience’s applause wasn't just for a show well done. They rang out for a class of seniors who spent four years Building something bigger than themselves in hopes of seeing their younger classmates continue on a tradition of kindness, courage and creativity shining from the Highland stage.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
