Photos: Inside Look at The Arden Theatre's Regional Premiere Production of SCHOOL GIRLS; OR THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY
The production runs now through June 5th at the Arden's Arcadia Stage.
By: Marissa Tomeo May. 07, 2022
The Arden Theatre Company is preparing for the regional premiere of Jocelyn Bioh's School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, a buoyant and biting comedy that explores the universal similarities (and glaring differences) facing teenage girls across the globe. Directed by Amina Robinson (the Arden's 74 Seconds...To Judgment.), the play will run at the Arden's Arcadia Stage now through June 5, 2022.
"School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play is a story of finding one's self-worth and intrinsic value in a world where the color of one's skin and its proximity to whiteness is used as currency," said Director Amina Robinson "It is at once hilariously funny, and then painfully revelatory. For me personally, it shines a light on the far reaching nature of Euro-centered ideology. Jocelyn Bioh tackles the subject matter with a deft comedic hand, loaded with heart. I am excited to share this story with Philadelphia audiences."
Set in Ghana in 1968, Paulina is the reigning queen bee at the country's most exclusive boarding school, and has her sights set on the Miss Global Universe pageant. But the arrival of Ericka, a new student with undeniable talent and beauty, captures the attention of the pageant recruiter-and Paulina's hive-minded friends. Tensions run high in Bioh's "gleeful African makeover of an American genre" (New York Times), a "ferociously entertaining morality tale that proves as heartwarming as it is hilarious" (Hollywood Reporter).
The Arden production features Morgan Charece Hall as Paulina Sarpong, Cheyenne Parks as Ericka Boafo, Imani Moss a Ama, Arielle Faye Telemaco-Beane as Nana, Jessica Money as Mercy, Adaeze Nwoko as Gifty, Ontaria Kim Wilson as Headmistress Francis, and Danielle Lenee as Eloise Amponsah.
Tickets for School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play are now available for purchase online at ardentheatre.org. Please go to ardentheatre.org for details.
Take an inside look at the photos from the production below!
Adaeze Nwoko, Imani Moss, Jessica Money, and Cheyenne Parks in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credit: Wide Eyed Studios
Cheyenne Parks and Morgan Charece Hall in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credits: Wide Eyed Studios
Imani Moss, Arielle Faye Telemaco-Beane, Jessica Money, Cheyenne Parks, Morgan Charéce Hall, and Adaeze Nwoko in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credits: Wide Eyed Studios
Imani Moss, Cheyenne Parks, and Morgan Charéce Hall in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credits: Wide Eyed Studios
Imani Moss, Jessica Money, Morgan Charéce Hall, Adaeze Nwoko, and Arielle Faye Telemaco-Beane in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credits: Wide Eyed Studios
Jessica Money, Imani Moss, Arielle Faye Telemaco-Beane, Adaeze Nwoko, Morgan Charéce Hall, and Ontaria Kim Wilson in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credits: Wide Eyed Studios
Morgan Charece Hall and Cheyenne Parks in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credit: Wide Eyed Studios
Morgan Charece Hall and Cheyenne Parks in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credits: Wide Eyed Studios
Morgan Charece Hall and Cheyenne Parks in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credits: Wide Eyed Studios
Morgan Charece Hall in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credits: Wide Eyed Studios
Morgan Charéce Hall, Ontario Kim Wilson, and Cheyenne Parks in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credits: Wide Eyed Studios
Ontario Kim Wilson, Imani Moss, and Arielle Faye Telemaco-Beane in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credits: Wide Eyed Studios
Ontario Kim Wilson, Jessica Money, Imani Moss, Arielle Faye Telemaco-Beane, Adaeze Nwoko, and Morgan Charece Hall in SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY at Arden Theatre Company. Photo credits: Wide Eyed Studios
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