Heathers Teen Edition: Strathcona High School

Read the Top 5 Reviews! All reviews are written by high school students in the Edmonton and surrounding area.

Make sure to:

Follow us @albertaytc

Follow Strathcona @sconatheatreco

photos by: Alvin Lee

Big Fun At Scona: A High Caliber Heathers

By Rica Mae Ebreo

Father Michael McAffrey

Strathcona’s Heathers: Teen Edition exceeded the standard expectations of a high school production. This musical was a testament to how collective effort and a tight-knit community can enhance a show's authenticity. From start to finish, the large ensemble and tech crew worked as a large team. All operating on the same wavelength, they offered an honest and unashamed portrayal of high school.

One aspect that caught my praise from the get-go was the theatricality from every member of the ensemble. Everyone performed united as one. Whether it be through gossiping in the corner or giving each other dirty looks, each member of the ensemble portrayed a dramatic but truthful depiction of teenage angst at its highest. These small but crucial mannerisms became vital, signifying the rigid social structures that are prevalent in high school even today. The choreography, crafted by their director Linette J Smith, enhanced this message. In one particular musical number, the cast creates a pyramid formation with Nife Ogunkoya (Heather Chandler) on the top to effectively indicate her status without using words. These meticulous movements prove that sometimes the most convincing storytelling happens nonverbally.

The masterful tech team displayed precision and devotion. A sharp-edged shadow created by the lighting team built palpable suspense, while the student-painted set and use of disco balls added to the production’s impressive scale. The lighting also served as a narrative tool, utilizing vibrant reds and blues, or an isolated spotlight to frame a character in complete darkness. These details consistently surprised and wowed me.

I can’t end this review without paying homage to the lead and supporting cast, all who showed unyielding dedication in portraying some of the most beloved characters. Emma Stoddart showcased the journey of her character, Veronica Sawyer, through her outstanding vocal performance. In “Beautiful” and “Dead Girl Walking,” Stoddart dominated the stage with her unmatched energy, pivoting from an elated cheerfulness to an audacious presence. Her teamwork and enchanting harmonies with Gradin Morris (JD) were equally notable. Meanwhile, Nife Ogunkoya as Heather Chandler was a dominating

force. Her comedic timing mixed with her powerful voice and presence proved her to be the perfect Heather. Finally, Owen Biel and Dwayne Wowk stole every scene, embodying the show’s “campiness” through exaggeration movements and comical delivery.

Congratulations to Scona Theatre, who dared to break barriers to deliver a sincere and playful production of Heathers. I appreciated every moment from this show, and cannot wait to see what this group of young talents have in store for them next.

Big Fun at Westerberg High

By Arjun Varma Balaraju

Aurora Charter School

There is a special kind of confidence in a school production that knows exactly how to fill a stage, even

when it’s juggling themes that are as dark as they are ridiculous. Scona Theatre Co.’s Heathers: Teen

Edition was exactly that kind of show. It was fearless, biting, and a surprisingly polished take on a story that, at its heart, is all about the crushing weight of high school popularity.

What made this production stand out was how it managed the show’s constant tonal shifts. Heathers is a wild ride; one minute the characters are dealing with heavy, life-altering situations, like JD’s dangerous plots or the pressures of drugs and alcohol,and the next, the show pivots to something sharp, funny, and modern. Scona’s cast handled that balance perfectly. They showed the real pressure behind Veronica’s journey from outsider to "popular" girl in blue, while using humor to keep the show moving at a breakneck pace. Even though the story followed the familiar path of a girl who gets in over her head with

the wrong crowd, the show never lost sight of the fact that these characters are just kids trying to keep it together while being fully controlled by the social hierarchy.

The energy onstage was infectious. Emma Stoddart’s performance as Veronica was a total highlight, bringing real heart to the role as she tried to trade popularity for a sense of normalcy. The "Heathers",Nife Ogunkoya, Yannis Lau, and Belle Newall,brought the perfect mix of status and menace, while the ensemble numbers provided the necessary high-energy pulse that kept the show feeling fresh. The vocal performances across the board were consistently strong, elevating the material and making the bigger musical numbers feel like genuine events.

Technically, the show was a triumph of ambition. Every piece of the world, from the choreography to the lighting, felt like it had been crafted to highlight the contrast between the show’s dark underbelly and its high-octane musical moments. It was clear that the student crew, guided by the creative team, put a massive amount of thought into making the production feel professional. Every transition, prop, and cue helped pull the audience further into the world of Westerberg.

That said, a show this big has a lot of moving parts, and there were a few moments where the pacing felt slightly rushed or the transitions needed a bit more breathing room. Some of the ensemble scenes took a moment to fully lock in, but these were minor issues in a production that was clearly aiming high and hitting its target.

Ultimately, Heathers: Teen Edition was a success because the entire company went all-in. It was bold, it was messy, and it was deeply entertaining. Scona Theatre Co. didn’t just put on a musical; they created a space to tell a complicated story with real bravery. If this show is any indicator, the Scona theatre community is in a very strong place.

High Heels, Higher Stakes - Heathers: Teen Edition

By Tinbit Hailu

St. Joseph Catholic High School

Some performances make it difficult to decide where to look, not because they lack focus, but because everything happening on stage feels worth paying attention to. That was the case with this production of Heathers: Teen Edition, where a consistently strong cast and carefully

executed technical elements made for an engaging and well-balanced performance.

One of the most striking aspects of the show was its lighting and sound design. Throughout the performance, these elements worked seamlessly together to match the tone of each scene, drawing the audience further into the story. Whether moments were intense, comedic, or high-energy, the lighting shifted accordingly, helping to emphasize the emotional atmosphere. A standout example was the use of a descending disco ball, which not only added a visual highlight but also moved in sync with the music, reinforcing the rhythm and energy of the scene.

The production also demonstrated strong attention to detail through its costumes. Subtle

choices, such as the varying heel heights worn by the Heathers, visually reinforced the hierarchy between characters. These details added another layer of storytelling, allowing the audience to understand relationships and power dynamics without relying solely on dialogue. The cast delivered consistently strong work across the board. Nife Ogunkoya, as Heather Chandler, stood out for her commanding stage presence. Her portrayal captured the character’s dominance and confidence so effectively that, despite Heather Chandler’s unlikeable nature, she remained captivating to watch. Emma Stoddart, as Veronica Sawyer, also delivered a compelling performance. Her expressive facial reactions made her emotions easy to follow, adding depth to her character and allowing the audience to connect with her journey even in quieter moments.

Another highlight of the production was its seamless scene transitions. Set changes were

integrated into the performance itself, with actors remaining in character while moving pieces on and off stage. This not only kept the momentum of the show intact but also demonstrated a high level of coordination and commitment from the cast. Overall, this production of Heathers: Teen Edition showcased a talented ensemble and a strong understanding of both performance and technical storytelling. With thoughtful design choices, dynamic stagecraft, and engaging performances, it created a cohesive and immersive theatrical experience that was consistently compelling to watch.

Red Scrunchies and Bad Decisions

By Kornelia Teresinska

Oscar Romero Catholic High School

Dear Diary, from the moment the lights dimmed and the first notes rang out, Heathers: Teen Edition pulled the audience into the chaotic world of Westerberg High, that felt less like a school and more like a battleground, defined by red scrunchies, the power of popularity, and a series of increasingly bad decisions that spiral out of control. As someone who considers Heathers their favourite musical, seeing it performed live made the experience feel more personal, with each detail impossible to overlook.

Heathers: Teen Edition, is a musical written by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe and adapted from the 1988 cult classic film, that reimagines a dark and satirical take on high school life. Set within the rigid social hierarchy of Westerberg High, the story follows Veronica Sawyer, a student who finds herself drawn into the powerful and controlling clique known as the Heathers. As she gains status, she becomes increasingly aware of the pressure and expectations that come with it. Her relationship with the mysterious new student J.D. introduces a dangerous shift, as rebellion against the system begins to

escalate into something far more destructive than she can handle.

The strength of the production was especially evident in its ensemble, whose presence shaped the energy of nearly every scene. With 43 cast members and 32 in the ensemble, the level of coordination remained consistently tight, allowing each number to feel controlled and intentional. In “Big Fun”, their synchronization was especially striking, creating a performance that felt polished and unified. Backed by a live band, the sound carried a fuller, more immersive quality, strengthening the atmosphere of each scene and keeping the audience engaged throughout. Among the standout performances, Emma Stoddart delivered a compelling portrayal of Veronica Sawyer, capturing both vulnerability and growing intensity as the story progressed. Her vocals in “Seventeen” carried a chilling edge that resonated throughout the theatre. Yannis Lau, as Heather McNamara, brought a striking level of emotional honesty to “Lifeboat”, creating a moment that felt noticeably heavier and more grounded. Kurt Kelly and Ram Sweeney, portrayed by Owen Biel and Dwayne Wowk, added a memorable dynamic through their strong onstage chemistry. Their portrayal emphasized the closeness of their friendship, making their scenes consistently engaging despite their characters’ unlikeable traits.

The technical elements added another layer of depth to the production. Costuming led by Gabe Hoberg, clearly reflected each character’s personality and social status, making the hierarchy of Westerberg instantly recognizable. The student-built set created a strong visual environment, supporting smooth transitions between scenes. Lighting, designed by Damian Nadeau-Karnik, worked alongside the use of fog to shape the atmosphere of each number, adding intensity and focus where needed. Together, these elements strengthened the overall world of the production without distracting from the performances.

By the end, the atmosphere of Westerberg High lingered, leaving a lasting impression shaped by strong performances, clear direction, and final moments that reached beyond the stage as paper scattered into the audience.

Popularity and poison!

By Darby Fedoruk

Archbishop MacDonald Catholic High School

Three iconic Heathers, a charming outsider, and a trail of bodies left in their wake. The incredible passion poured into Heathers the Musical: Teen Edition by Strathcona High School transformed audience members into witnesses of both murder and an extraordinary performance, with a tense atmosphere broken expertly by pure wit and charm.

Heathers the Musical, written by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, and based on the

1989 film by Daniel Waters, is a bold and unapologetic portrayal of the dark world of high

school. The satirical show follows Veronica Sawyer, an intelligent yet socially unbalanced

student, becoming entangled with a powerful and intimidating clique known as the Heathers. What begins as a familiar narrative of social climbing quickly spirals into a critique of conformity, peer pressure, and the dangerous desire to belong.

Dear diary... Emma Stoddart as Veronica Sawyer had the theatre completely enthralled.

Her vocal prowess had the audience holding their breaths from the very first note until the last, while her performance beautifully captured Veronica’s journey of reclaiming her identity and stepping into her own power. Sweet but deadly, her portrayal balanced vulnerability with strength, with her beautiful voice leaving the audience in both stunned silence and rapturous applause. She shared remarkable chemistry with Gradin Morris as JD, who was the perfect portrayal of a man who would burn down the world for you... and suffocate you in the flames. His performance embodied a character both magnetic and deeply unsettling, and yet the audience was just as taken with him and his soulful voice as Veronica was from the moment he stepped onstage. Together, they turned their characters into the perfect partners... in crime.

Ugly flaws and insecurities hidden behind a beautiful mask. Equally captivating was Nife

Ogunkoya as the iconic Heather Chandler, leader of the unholy trinity. With unshakeable

confidence and a piercing stage presence, Ogunkoya’s performance was nothing short of

mesmerizing. Her powerful voice entranced spectators, who found themselves trapped in her orbit. And of course, “they were not dirty, they just had flair.” The inseparable duo of Dwayne Wowk and Owen Biel playing Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly expertly showcased incredible physical comedy and comedic timing. A package deal of idiocy, the hilarious duo captured the audience’s hearts with their constant energy and humour.

It would be a crime not to mention the intense devotion and creative power of both the

ensemble and technical crew. Striking choreography, intricate costuming, and spectacular

lighting all worked in harmony to elevate the production. Not to mention their incredible band, layering magic and suspense into the world built by the cast and crew. A provocative and memorable performance, the talented students of Strathcona High School were surely notcompeting for the top step of the pedestal, but instead basking in each other’s spotlight.