"Mean Girls" Opens this Weekend

As the curtain rises this weekend on Nutley High School's highly anticipated spring musical “Mean Girls: High School Version”, the excitement from director Alexandra Vecchio and students in the cast continues to grow. 

The cast and crew are continuing to work tirelessly to bring this vibrant and comedic show to life. To get an inside look at how this production came together, we spoke with the director, cast members

The Casting Process: Finding the Perfect Fit

The first thing needed to create a wonderful piece to showcase is the cast: "Casting 'Mean Girls' is like assembling a dream team—every role needs the perfect mix of personality, vocal ability, and stage presence," Vecchio said. 

Sophomore Makenna DeJianne, who landed the role of Regina George’s mom, shared her experience. "Auditioning was scary because everyone wanted to be part of this production. But Ms. Vecchio made it clear what she was looking for and how we could make the characters our own."

For the production they found the perfect actors who could bring their characters to life with authenticity, energy, and comedic timing. Vecchio said, “Since this show demands strong vocals and sharp comedic instincts, auditions were a mix of cold reads, solo performances, and group chemistry tests. And of course, we made sure every performer felt empowered to bring their own spin to the roles.”

Months of Planning: Setting the Stage

The journey to this point has been a long one, with months of careful planning and preparation. "This show has been in the making since we first got the rights, which means months of planning! From pre-production meetings to early choreography sessions, we’ve been laying the groundwork long before rehearsals officially started. The cast has been using this time wisely—learning their lines, practicing harmonies, and studying the original material while also making it their own!" Vecchio said.

This dedication ensures that by the time rehearsals start, the team is ready to dive into the material with enthusiasm and precision. "It's a lot of hard work, but seeing it all come together is incredibly rewarding," she added.

This extensive planning and dedication from all members of the cast also helps build team spirit and overcome any scheduling conflicts, leading to a polished and cohesive final show.

Rehearsals: A Whirlwind of Activity

Rehearsals have been a whirlwind of activity, with structured schedules and plenty of drama – the good kind, of course. “It's a dynamic environment,” Dance Captain Charlize Dominguez said about rehearsals. "We’re constantly learning and improving." 

Rehearsals are a blend of structure and creativity, much like the high school experience itself. 

“We typically start with a vocal warm-up, then move into scene work or choreography. Some days are focused on blocking and staging, while others are all about full-run-throughs. As we get closer to opening night, we transition into tech rehearsals, where all the magic—lights, sound, and quick changes—comes together," Vecchio said.

With the show date fast approaching, the rehearsal schedule has intensified. "We rehearse about 3-4 times a week, but as we approach showtime, rehearsals ramp up to daily. Because let’s be real—fetch doesn’t just happen," she said.

The dedication and hard work of the cast have not gone unnoticed. The cast has been incredible at making the most of every rehearsal. When they’re not on stage, they’re diligently practicing their lines and perfecting their roles.

Final Preparations: Ready for Showtime

As opening night approaches, the cast has been putting in extra hours to perfect their performances. "We want to make sure we do justice to this musical," DeJianne said. "We’ve been running through scenes over and over, perfecting every detail."

As the curtain rises on opening night, the Nutley High School community can look forward to a performance that reflects months of passion, effort, and collaboration.

The students are ready to shine, and "Mean Girls" promises to be a hit. Don’t miss it this weekend – it’s going to be “so fetch!”