Elèna Gyasi
26th June 2024
Photographer & Editor-in-chief: Owen James Vincent
Digital Editor: Pankhuri Bhutani
Interview: Emily Durham
Photographer Assistant: Ruby May
Retoucher: Danielle Painting
Wardrobe, Make Up & Hair: Fiona Middlehurst, Maxine Tiara, Elyse Mansfield and Georgia Woodland
A big thanks to Rozzie at Dawbell.
Elèna Gyasi, playing the iconic and fetch Gretchen Wieners in MEAN GIRLS, lets ReVamp sit with her as she reflects on her auditioning process, experience working with the renowned Tina Fey, her resemblance to Gretchen and the meaningful message she hopes fans will take away from the show.
Congratulations on being a part of "Mean Girls"!
Thank you so much. I’m so blessed to be here!
What was the auditioning process like? Did you audition specifically for the part of Gretchen? Or did you initially feel that you would be better suited to a different role?
My process was over the course of about four months! Was so fun! I have always been in for the role of Gretchen. As soon as I had my first round I felt like this is who I NEED to play!
The show has such a fantastic cast and creative team, you have been working with the incredible Tina Fey! What has the rehearsal process been like, does it feel like a long time in the making?
The rehearsal process has been so busy we learnt the whole show by week three! By the end of the process I was definitely itching for an audience.
Gretchen is such an iconic and distinctive character in the show. What has been your favourite part about playing her so far? And are there any character interactions or relationships that you find particularly fun to play?
I love Gretchy! She is so fun to play! She’s full of energy and she’s very ‘bouncy’ although I love playing that side of her that just wants to be loved and she just wants a true friend! Someone to accept her for who she is!
In what way would you say that you are most similar to Gretchen, and what is your biggest difference?
Wow, I feel like I am so like Gretchy in some ways, I talk A LOT! When I am talking about something I love or am passionate about! I do ‘go on’ a lot, my boyfriend will probably vouch for that.
Mean Girls deals with deeper topics such as bullying, struggling to find your place and insecurity which is something we see in Gretchen’s song ‘What’s Wrong With Me?’ which discusses her struggles with her relationship with Regina.
Is there a core message that you hope to convey through your representation of Gretchen? Or something that you want the audience to take away from the show as a whole?
Playing Gretchen Wieners as a Mixed Race person is something I am hugely proud of, I feel like this is quite important for me in terms of telling the right story for her. “My body, Face, My hair.” That lyric in the song I feel has so much weight to it as I don’t in any way look like my “queen B” (Regina George) played by the wonderful Georgina Castle.
These are real life questions I had asked myself as a young brown Girl growing up in a predominantly white area. Over the years I have learnt to love my hair and my black features. My goal is to sing this song for all the other young girls/people out there who feel like “other”. Then (sorry to give it away) but then for Gretchen to stand up for herself in the end is a great end to her story.
As we all know Gretchen really wants ‘Fetch’ to happen. But if you could choose one word, saying or plastic’s rule from the show for everyone to start following or using in real life what would it be?
Ummm, Fetch. Obvs
Why should people come and watch Mean Girls the musical?
The overall message of this show is to be a good person. Everyone take something from this show. Also it’s a great night out!
Any final words for your supporters?
Thank you so much. I love playing Gretchen, I am doing it for all the young Black and Brown actors currently training or in the industry.
Tickets for Mean Girls (Based on the book by Tina Fey/Directed by Casey Nicholaw/Producers- Lorne Michaels, Sonia Friedman Productions, and Crossroads Live) can be found here.