Q&A with “Mean Girls” Actor Joseph Torres

Joseph Torres (Aaron Samuels) with Natalie Shaw (Cady Heron) in Broadway’s production of “Mean Girls.”
From the Plastics to the Matheletes, North Shore High School is back on our radar once again thanks to Tina Fey’s witty Broadway musical Mean Girls. In this ingeniously hilarious adaptation of the 2004 teen dramedy, Joseph Torres plays everybody’s favourite high school hunk Aaron Sammuels. We caught up with Joseph before the opening of Mean Girls to talk about his favourite parts of the play and how he brings to life such an iconic character.
Q: What can you tell us about your experience on tour so far?
A: Tour has been a blast! Going city to city and experiencing a different theater and audience each week has been so surreal. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of such a fun show, especially in such a great year for mean girls!
Q: Could you tell us a little about how long you’ve been performing? Was performing something you always wanted to do?
A: I started when I was 15 at school! I definitely was always interested, but never really had the opportunity until high school. It’s never too late to start!
Q: Aaron Samuels is such an iconic character; how do you stay true to the character whilst making it your own?
A: Aaron at his core is just a kind person who falls for people who are genuinely and unapologetically themselves. I try to lean into his charm and kindness while also making his love story with Cady and Regina seem as natural as possible under the unnatural circumstances that take place.
Q: Were you a fan of the OG Mean Girls movie? How did it speak to you?
A: Of course! It was always playing in my house. No matter how funny it always is, the core message of staying true to yourself and being kind always resonates with me.
Q: What is your favourite part of the show?
A: Cady’s final speech in stars always hits home for me. Natalie Shaw delivers a flawless and believable performance every night and it’s magical to witness.
Q: Why should people go see Mean Girls?
A: To have an amazing night! It’s full of laughs, impressive and soaring vocals, intense dance, as well as a meaningful message for all ages.
Make sure to check out this performance for yourself:
1. Mean Girls | January 9 – 14, 2024
2. at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium | University of Alberta, 11455 87 AVE