NOTE:  Parents should note that Mean Girls High School Version (PG-13) contains mature content and should familiarize themselves with the story before agreeing to have their child audition.

Cady Heron is the new girl at North Shore High, desperate to fit in and find friends. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order? By taking on the ruthless leader of The Plastics, Regina George. When Cady and her friends devise a “Revenge Party” to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.

With its wicked sense of humour courtesy of Tina Fey (30 Rock, Saturday Night Live), catchy Tony®-nominated music, and energetic production numbers, Mean Girls is funny, fierce, and “fetch” (yes, we are making “fetch” happen!)

A full plot synopsis can be found here.

For tickets and more information, click here.

We strongly believe that skills developed through participation in the arts are becoming increasingly important in the workplace, in all sectors, and are essential to a young person’s success in developing a fulfilling life. We also believe that today’s post-pandemic world presents new, difficult challenges that arts education can help overcome.

A few of these parallel life skills include:

1. DEVELOPING CREATIVITY
Now more than ever, employers are looking for creative thinkers who can move their business forward, not just academic achievers who know how to maintain the status quo. Being able to think on your feet, approach tasks from different perspectives and think ‘outside of the box’ will distinguish arts students from others.

2. DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE
The real time reward that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone, taking risks, learning from mistakes and willingness to try new things with new people results in increased self-worth and a deep sense of belonging.

3. DEVELOPING FOCUS
The ability to focus is a key skill developed through ensemble work. Whether you’re in a big production number onstage or working together with fellow crew members, keeping a balance between listening and contributing involves a great deal of concentration and focus. It requires each participant to not only think about their role, but how their role contributes to the big picture of what is being created.

4. RECEIVING CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK
Receiving constructive feedback is a regular part of any arts instruction. Children learn that feedback is part of learning and it is not something to be offended by or to be taken personally. It is something that is a valuable experience and greatly contributes to the success of the final piece.

5. ACCOUNTABILITY
When children practice creating something collaboratively, they get used to the idea that their actions affect other people. They learn that when they are not prepared or on-time, that other people suffer. We also learn to acknowledge mistakes, learn from them and move on. This is a crucial skill to learn early in life because it contributes to the development of integrity of character, which every employer is seeking in a staff member.

All of this, plus even more life skills like perseverance, understanding, body language, collaboration, and dedication are the reason we do what we do.

The High School Musical Production Program is being offered at no cost to the participants. Participants will not be paid. Participants can count their rehearsal and performance hours as Volunteer Hours.

Students, 18 and under, interested in becoming a performing cast member are invited to schedule 8-minute vocal auditions that will take place at The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy. Auditions will be held:

• Saturday, March 29th from 10:00am – 6:00pm
• Saturday, April 5th from 10:00am – 6:00pm
• Tuesday, April 8th from 5:00pm – 9:00pm
• Thursday, April 10th from 5:00pm – 9:00pm

These auditions will be for vocals only. Please sign up for your vocal audition time-slot at the bottom of this page under “Registration”.

There will be a mandatory dance call taking place on Saturday, April 12th, with three available time slots: Option 1) 2:30pm – 4:30pm, Option 2) 4:45pm to 6:45pm, and Option 3) 7:00pm to 9:00pm. All performers interested in auditioning for the show MUST attend the dance call.

Callbacks for speaking roles will take place on Tuesday, April 22nd 6:30pm – 9:30pm.

For this production of Mean Girls High School Version, we are looking to create a world that represents the diversity of Waterloo Region both onstage and off. As such, we both welcome and encourage actors of all races, ethnicities, abilities, and gender identities to audition for all roles.

Participating in the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy High School Musical Production promises to be a positive and enriching experience. The audition and interview process is designed to be transparent, fair and enjoyable for students. At the same time, auditions can be stressful and the outcomes are occasionally disappointing. Regardless of the outcome, auditions are a learning opportunity.

Auditions will take place at The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr W., Waterloo).

Rehearsals and performances will take place at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge (46 Grand Ave S., Cambridge).

Due to licensing requirements, all cast members must be 18 and under for the duration of the production.

How roles are cast can be a difficult process to understand, especially from the outside. Assembling a cast is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle: directors must consider the parts available in the show, the unique artistic vision of the production, individual audition performance of actors in the casting pool as well as the overall cohesiveness of casting.

Vocal Auditions

Please prepare two of the music cuts listed below (under “Audition Material”) for your audition. Pick the songs that best suit your personality and voice.

Please bring a resume and a headshot to your audition. Your headshot will only be used as an identifying reference, so please don’t spend money on professional shots, but do make sure the picture looks like you.

Dance Call

There will be a mandatory dance call taking place on Saturday, April 12th, with three available time slots: Option 1) 2:30pm – 4:30pm, Option 2) 4:45pm to 6:45pm, and Option 3) 7:00pm to 9:00pm. All performers interested in auditioning for the show MUST attend the dance call.

At the dance call, you will be asked to learn a section of choreography that you will then present as a group. You do not need to prepare any material for the dance call ahead of time.

Please bring clothes you can move in, indoor or dance shoes, and a water bottle to the dance call.

Callbacks

Callbacks for speaking roles will take place on Tuesday, April 22nd from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. These are an additional opportunity for the production team to get you know you better as a vocalist and performer. Unlike auditions, callbacks are specific to a single character, and are aimed at seeing how you embody that part. During callbacks, we will ask to see two things:

1. A small cut of a song the character sings in the show that we will provide.
2. Reading a monologue or scene that we will provide alongside other actors.

As this show is so ensemble-driven, we will not be holding callbacks for every role. In light of this, please do not view the presence/absence of a callback as reflective of your chances of being cast in the show!

Cady Heron: Arrives at North Shore High a clueless transfer student but is quickly wrapped up in brutal social politics. Though at her core Cady is levelheaded, self-assured, and kind, when she goes undercover with the Plastics, she becomes unrecognizable. Vocal Range G2 – E5

Regina George: The undisputed Queen Bee of North Shore High School, and she knows
it. She’s confident, clever, and completely unbothered by anyone else’s opinion. While Regina purposefully manipulates everyone around her (including her own mom), at her heart, she’s trying to fit in, just like everyone else. Vocal Range Ab3 – Eb5

Janis Sarkisian:  Marches to the beat of her own drum and, with Damian, narrates throughout the show. After a falling-out with Regina in middle school, she became a bit of a social outcast and still holds a grudge against Regina. Damian is her best friend and lovingly refers to her as his “art freak.” Vocal Range A3 – D5

Damian: Co-chair of the Student Activities Committee and Janis’s best friend. Damian is smart, witty, and confident and occasionally serves as the show’s narrator. Vocal Range Bb3 – G5

Gretchen Wieners: Regina’s stressed-out second-in-command. As much as Regina appears not to care what people think, Gretchen cares very much, and she’s especially paranoid when it comes to Regina. She takes the Plastics very seriously and is completely controlled by Regina, until Cady comes along. Vocal Range G2 – E5

Karen Smith: The third member of the Plastics. While Karen’s lack of intelligence is a running joke throughout the show, she sees the other girls more clearly than most people and is the most laid back of the three. Vocal Range G2 – D#5

Aaron Samuels: A nice guy who has no idea that he’s the high school heartthrob. Although he doesn’t enjoy the drama of high school social politics, he gets used as a pawn between Cady and Regina, though he genuinely likes Cady. Vocal Range B3 – E5

Mrs. Heron and Mr. Heron: Cady’s Parents

Mrs. George: Regina’s Mom who is desperate to be a “cool mom”.

Ms. Norbury:  Cady’s homeroom and calculus teacher, and she oversees the Mathletes. Though she is a bit jaded and more than a little sarcastic, Ms. Norbury sees the real Cady and encourages her to be true to herself.

Mr. Duvall: The school principal. Like Ms. Norbury, he’s seen it all, although he’s slightly more formal and sincere than Ms. Norbury’s sarcasm.

Kevin G:  Captain of the Mathletes! He’s confident and excited about competing with the team, and he’s proud of their accomplishments. 

Ensemble: Named Students, Party Guests, the Debate Team, Dance Team, Show Choir, and Mathletes.

Please prepare the ensemble song, “I See Stars,” PLUS one character from below that best suits your personality and voice type.

Ensemble

I See Stars

*Everyone will be required to sing this song then choose material for ONE of the following characters:

Aaron

Cady

Damian

Gretchen

Janis

Karen

Kevin G

Mrs George

Ms Norbury

Regina

If you are invited to attend callbacks, you will be asked to read from the following material. We will specify what material we would like you to prepare.

Aaron

Mr Duvall

Ms Norbury

Gretchen, Regina, Karen, and Cady

Gretchen, Regina, Karen, Cady, and Kevin G

Various Students

Mrs George, Gretchen, Karen, Regina, and Cady

Mrs George

Damian, Janis, and Cady

Mathletes Moderator

Mrs Heron, Mr Heron, and Cady

Gretchen

Karen

Regina

*Schedule subject to change.

Performers must be available to attend all rehearsals and performances.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will begin the week of August 11th at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge.

Performances at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge
Call times will be one hour before each show.

We are hosting interviews for backstage roles in the following departments:

• Lighting
• Props
• Sets
• Sound
• Wardrobe
• Stage Management

All backstage students will be involved not only in preparation of, but in the running of the show as well and will be mentored by theatre professionals in their departments.

Backstage Interviews will be taking place:

• Monday, April 7 from 5:00pm – 9:00pm  
• Wednesday, April 9 from 5:00pm – 9:00pm

Please bring a resume to your interview.

Please sign up for your backstage interview at the bottom of this page under “Registration”.

*Schedule subject to change, not everyone will be called to all rehearsals

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will begin the week of August 11th at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge.

Performances the at Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge
Call times will be one hour before each show.

2024 saw the return of the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy High School Musical Production with Footloose! With 35 cast members and 15 crew members from 20 different high schools, Footloose had a sold-out run at the St. Jacobs Playhouse in February of 2024.

Read more about the show on the Wellington Advertiser’s website: Drayton Entertainment’s production of Footloose takes stage Feb. 14

2023 saw the inaugural Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy High School Musical Production with Legally Blonde! With 35 cast members and 15 crew members from 15 different high schools, Legally Blonde has an almost sold-out run at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse in February of 2023.

Read more about the show on CTV’s website: ‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’ to showcase young talent from Southwestern Ontario

“It’s just so professional. You get so much input on your acting and your singing. You get a lot of feedback […] Everyone here has gotten so close and we’ve helped each other grow and build.”

– Alyssa Panda, Legally Blonde Cast Member

Read Bill Jackson’s full article in the Waterloo Chronicle: ‘A new community of like-minded people’: Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy to stage inaugural high school musical