African Mean Girls Hits Broadway

Jocelyn Bioh's play 'School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play' has opened on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, directed by Whitney White. The play is set in a girls' boarding school in the Aburi Mountains of Central Ghana in 1986 and explores themes of adolescence, colonialism, and colorism.

The play features a cast of characters including Paulina, Ama, Mercy, Gifty, Nana, and Ericka Boafo. Paulina, the queen bee of the group, is a self-absorbed and vicious character who wields her cruelty toward the other girls, particularly Nana, who is a target for bullies due to her larger body.

The play is a comedy-drama that takes on the tropes and dramatic conventions of high school claustrophobia, rebellions, and savageries. Bioh's work is compared to other notable plays and TV shows, such as Heathers and Carrie, but with a unique perspective on the consequences of colonialism, anti-Blackness, and colorism.

## What it's about The play captures the magic and anguish of late girlhood, a time in life between innocence and adulting. It portrays the hurt and sadness that can come from homeroom sadism, but also the understanding and escape that can be found. The play is set against the specificity of mid-1980s Ghana, with a soundtrack that includes Bobby Brown's 'Every Little Step'.

## Why it matters The play is significant because it explores the experiences of Black girls in a Ghanaian boarding school, shedding light on the issues of colonialism, colorism, and adolescence. It is a story that captures what it means to be Black and female across time, space, and place. The play's themes and characters are relatable, yet unique, making it a must-see for audiences interested in stories about sisterhood, identity, and empowerment.

The play's 75-minute runtime is a testament to Bioh's skill as a writer, who is able to capture the complexities of adolescence and the consequences of colonialism in a concise and powerful way. With its talented cast and direction by Whitney White, 'School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play' is a sensational and heartfelt portrait of sisterhood that is not to be missed.