Full casting has been announced for the Broadway premiere of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, written by Tony Award nominee Jocelyn Bioh, and directed by two-time Tony Award nominee Whitney White, reuniting the team behind MTC’s critically acclaimed 2023 world premiere of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.
The production will feature Lucia Aremu (Regional: Cold War Choir Practice, Becky Nurse of Salem) as Ama, Tony Award nominee Denée Benton (Broadway: Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812; Hamilton; Into the Woods; Television: “The Gilded Age”) as Paulina, Tony Award winner Patina Miller (Broadway: Pippin; Into the Woods; Sister Act; Television: “Madam Secretary”; Film: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay) as Eloise Amponsah, Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk Award nominee Erin Morton (Off-Broadway: Heathers The Musical) as Nana, Nia Otchere-Sarfo (Regional: Call Me From the Grave; Apple TV: “Murder Bot”) as Gifty, Jordan Rice (Tour: Jaja’s African Hair Braiding; Apple TV: “Swagger”) as Mercy, Tony Award nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers (Broadway: Boop!; Off-Broadway: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; NY City Center Encores!: The Wild Party) as Ericka, and Obie Award winner Heather Alicia Simms (Broadway: Purlie Victorious; Off-Broadway: Fairview; By the Way; Meet Vera Stark) as Headmistress Francis.
The production will begin previews on Tuesday, September 8 and open Monday, September 28 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). School Girls is produced in association with Chase This Productions and Susan Kelechi Watson.
Becoming Miss Ghana 1986 would mean fame, fortune, and prosperity. At least, that’s what Paulina—the queen bee of Aburi Girls Boarding School—believes. When the pageant recruiter comes to school, Paulina and her crew pull out all the stops. But to their surprise, a new transfer student from America kicks the competition into a higher, far more personal gear.
Joining the production’s creative team are Teresa L. Williams (Scenic Design), Tony Award winner Qween Jean (Costume Design), Tony Award nominee Stacey Derosier (Lighting Design), Tony Award winner Cody Spencer (Sound Design), Tony Award recipient Nikiya Mathis (Wig, Hair and Makeup Design), Dawn-Elin Fraser (Dialect Coach). Casting is by Caparelliotis Casting & Kelly Gillespie, Sara Gammage serves as Production Stage Manager.
On Tuesday, October 20, MTC will celebrate the Broadway arrival of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play with a special benefit performance. The evening will begin at 5:00 PM with an exclusive cocktail reception and seated dinner at the Edison Hotel, followed by a 7:30 PM performance. For more information or to purchase tables and tickets, visit www.manhattantheatreclub.com/events/2026-fall-benefit/. All proceeds from this event will help support MTC’s entire season of productions, as well as our ticket access programs, which provide free and deeply discounted tickets to help ensure these plays are financially accessible to New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds.
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play originally premiered Off-Broadway at MCC in 2017-18. The bright, biting comedy has gone on to receive 75 regional productions and a UK premiere in 2023.
