Mowat students Elizabeth Kelly, left, and Soraya Page are the co-authors and co-directors of the play Mean Gods, a parody of the Broadway hit Mean Girls that blends Greek mythology with modern teen drama.
By Shelley Cooke
Two Grade 12 students at Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute brought a fresh twist to the stage this fall. Elizabeth Kelly and Soraya Page wrote and directed Mean Gods, a playful parody of the Broadway hit Mean Girls that blends Greek mythology with modern teen drama. “We took the elements that are typical in high school films, combined them with Greek mythology, and threw them in a blender,” Elizabeth said.
When asked what inspired them to blend two seemingly contrasting genres, the pair pointed to the influence of the Percy Jackson series and its use of Greek mythology. They said they wanted to bring that mythological world into a contemporary setting.
Like the Broadway musical Mean Girls, their show Mean Gods delivers an important universal message to its audience: you don’t need to change yourself to earn acceptance. True happiness comes from being comfortable in your own identity and surrounding yourself with people who respect you for who you are.
Elizabeth and Soraya spent three years developing their script, beginning in Grade 9 with a planning sheet and shared Google docs. They finished a first draft in Grade 10 and refined the structure and flow in Grade 11, producing the version that became the final show.
One of the most rewarding aspects of directing the production, they said, has been the opportunity to collaborate with their cast and crew. They couldn’t be more pleased with the team, which includes 12 students in full speaking roles and an ensemble of five. “All of our actors have been doing a fantastic job,” Soraya said. “They’ve truly embraced their roles and brought their characters to life.” In particular, they praised their stage manager, who oversees the running crew and plays a key role in keeping the production on track, as well as their lighting manager who created her own lights program to enhance the performance.
Working with a large cast doesn’t come without challenges. One of the biggest, they said, is communicating the specific characterizations they envision for the stage. “There are some silly, cheesy moments in the play that can be difficult to articulate,” Soraya explained. “The actors need to fully embrace those moments. which isn’t always easy.” Another ongoing challenge is maintaining focus during rehearsals, especially when a blooper or unexpected mistake sparks a round of laughter that can quickly derail the scene they’re working on.
When asked whether they see theatre arts playing a role in their future, both students said the experience of creating Mean Gods has strengthened their passion for the performing arts. Elizabeth hopes to become a drama teacher while Soraya plans to major in film directing and writing, viewing this project as an early step toward their future careers.
By the time this article is published, Mean Gods will have already taken the stage, no doubt to great success! CCRA congratulates Elizabeth and Soraya on their remarkable achievement in writing and directing Mowat’s fall production, and wishes them all the best in their future theatrical endeavors!