A few weeks ago, our upper school theater department put on an incredible production of Mean Girls the Musical. For Olivia K. ’27, taking the stage as Regina George was a dream come true. A self-described fan of big, bold characters, Olivia was thrilled to take on the challenge of playing the queen bee of North Shore High. Beyond the pink outfits and power ballads, her performance was the result dedication, months of vocal training, and a deep love for musical theater.

When Olivia learned Mean Girls would be this year’s upper school musical, she set her sights on the role of Regina George. "I had my eye on Regina since last spring," she said. "Before the audition, I studied every version of Mean Girls—the movies, the Broadway show, and different performances online. I wanted to see how others played her and decide what I liked and didn’t like."

To prepare for her audition, Olivia took voice lessons with Broadway performer Rachel Gold, who played Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. "She completely changed my voice," says Olivia. "I wouldn’t have been able to play Regina or sing her songs without her."

Olivia's hard work paid off. When she got the part of Regina, she was so excited. Then came tacking the role itself. "Regina's songs were challenging," she admitted. "They took me months to master. But I loved them. I loved channeling my inner diva on stage and belting my heart out."

Beyond the music and performances, Olivia found that the Mean Girls cast became like family. "Everyone was cast perfectly for their roles," she said. "I got really close with the other Plastics, met a lot of freshmen who are now my friends, and strengthened my bonds with senior classmates."

She remembers closing night as one of her best moments. "It was my best show, singing-wise. There was a part in ‘Someone Gets Hurt’ that was challenging, but that night, I nailed it. I walked off stage thinking, ‘I’ve never done that better.’"

Through the process, Upper School Theater Director Mr. Dumont-Eton played a significant role in the cast developing their theater skills. "Mr. Dumont-Eton gave us a space where we felt safe to explore our characters," she explained. "He’s taught me to trust my instincts, analyze scripts, and build confidence in my talent." 

With the introduction of the Mod Schedule this year, Olivia has had to find new ways to balance her academic workload with her theater commitments. "It really depends on the mod," she explained. "Some mods, I have a lighter homework load, which gives me more time to focus on theater." 

Olivia has found that the flexibility of the Mod System allows her to dedicate time to her passion. "When I have a lighter schedule, I can really hone in on my singing and acting," she noted. 

Olivia's plans for theater don't stop at Forest Ridge. She hopes to pursue musical theater in college and, one day, perform on a larger stage. "I want to study musical theater in college and hopefully perform on Broadway on day," she noted. 

Oliva says her dream role would be "to play Glinda in Wicked." 

For younger students interested in theater at Forest Ridge, Olivia encourages them to take the leap. "Theater is such a safe space at Forest Ridge. If you want to do it, go for it," she said. "Trust yourself, make bold choices, and don’t be afraid to look a little silly. The audience loves when you commit to your role."

She also reminds students not to be discouraged by getting small roles. "Every role matters. Even if you’re not the lead, the show wouldn’t be the same without every single character. Keep trying, and each show will bring new opportunities."

With Mean Girls behind her, Olivia is already preparing for her next role in Puffs at Forest Ridge—and no doubt, many more incredible performances to come.