**School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play: A Vibrant Exploration of Identity and Hierarchy**
In a lively revival of her off-Broadway hit, playwright Jocelyn Bioh brings her critically acclaimed play School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play back to the stage at the Samuel J Friedman Theatre on September 28. The energetic production delves into the complex world of teenage girls at Ghana's Aburi Girls Boarding School in the 1980s, where a strict hierarchy is upended by the arrival of a new student.
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play: A Vibrant Exploration of Identi
Centering around the 1986 Miss Ghana Pageant, the play follows Paulina, a charismatic leader with high hopes of winning the crown, until Ericka, a newcomer with lighter skin and an understanding of American pop culture, disrupts the social order. Through this vibrant commentary on class, colorism, and character, Bioh shines a light on the intricacies of identity and relationships among young women.
Bioh's personal connection to the subject matter runs deep. Her mother attended Aburi Girls Boarding School in the 1980s, and family stories became public in 2017 when Bioh accidentally revealed her mother's past as a mean girl in an early draft. Bioh herself had a unique boarding school experience at Pennsylvania's Milton Hershey School, which enrolled a diverse student body. This inspired her to explore the drama and dynamics that can arise when unsupervised teenagers from different backgrounds come together.
Director Whitney White, with whom Bioh has collaborated on several projects, brings her own experiences navigating cliques and finding her place to the production. White's background as a classically trained singer and rock vocalist trying to find her niche at Northwestern University resonates with the themes of identity and belonging in the play.
Through their multi-faceted approach to artistry, Bioh and White infuse the production with a range of creative elements, from humor and drama to music and visual storytelling. Their collaborative process involves frequent communication across various platforms, from DMs and voice memos to memes and more.
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play is a timely and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of adolescence, identity, and relationships. With its energetic performances, witty dialogue, and poignant commentary, this revival promises to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact.