This post was updated Oct. 19 at 9:36 p.m.

Bruin alumni are bringing “fetch” back.

As artists on the ensemble team, Thalia Atallah and Joi McCoy are currently touring on the “Mean Girls” musical’s North American circuit. Bejeweled with quirky costumes, snarky dialogue written by Tina Fey and a whole lot of pink, “Mean Girls” dramatizes the hit teen comedy film of the same name. Atallah and McCoy exercise their dancing and musical skills as characters in the ensemble, building the energetic tone of the show, McCoy said. Ever since the musical’s debut on Broadway in 2018, Atallah said being a part of the eccentric show was a dream of hers.

“I first listened to the ‘Mean Girls’ soundtrack when I was in high school, and I just instantly fell in love with that,” Atallah said. “It’s just exciting to see something so different and fun … and something I’ve loved for so long. That’s what really drew me to it.”

[Related: Award-winning alumnus incorporates storytelling, Indigenous culture in costuming]

Growing up in a music-loving household, McCoy said her path to the musical arts was a natural and welcoming one. Atallah, too, was influenced by her mother’s love for theater, discovering her own passion for musicals after her first performance at 8 years old, she said. Their artistic inclinations led them to the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, McCoy said, where they explored their passions in a professional capacity.

As a large university, UCLA provided her with the opportunity to interact with diverse art majors and improve her own work, McCoy said. Atallah added that TFT’s focus on exposing students to every avenue of theater, from dance to costume design to stage management, made her a more well-rounded performer.

With the help of advice from professors and fellow students, Atallah landed an ensemble spot on the “Anastasia” musical’s national tour and eventually her spot in “Mean Girls,” she said. Since ensemble characters have the opportunity to modify their roles to be personally relatable, McCoy said she strives to put a piece of herself in her performance.

As an understudy for the characters of Karen Smith and Gretchen Wieners, Atallah said she developed her acting skills within the show. Striking a balance between honoring the original Broadway production’s vision and her own perception of her part was a key lesson, Atallah said. Unlike other musicals, each ensemble member has a full-fledged character created from the intricacies of the film, she said, which adds a layer of refinement to the musical.

Beyond the meticulous detailing of the characters, the show’s vibrancy and contagious energy make it a special stage to inhabit, Atallah said. As a fast-paced show, every aspect of the production – lighting, direction, singing, dancing and much more – has to come together seamlessly, McCoy said.

Fellow alumnus and assistant costume designer Devon Horn said the costumes are physical manifestations of the show’s high school spirit and serve to accentuate the quirky theme. Moreover, the musical’s familiar 2000s plot and characters elicit a certain comfort, creating an environment of relaxation and pure entertainment, McCoy said.

“Sometimes you just want to turn your brain off, … and I think (that’s) a reason the movie is so loved,” McCoy said. “There’s some truth and there’s some love there, but there’s also just silliness. It’s the same reason you go back to your favorite sitcom and keep watching it. The essence of ‘Mean Girls’ is why people keep coming back.”

The marketing and promotional strategies of the show also furthered the quirky edge, making the entourage a joy to be a part of, McCoy said. For instance, she said the musical opened in Philadelphia on Oct. 3, which has been deemed “Mean Girls Day.” To commemorate the day, food trucks served up customized mocktails, with the audience screaming out memorable lines from the movie, Atallah said. The crew followed suit, McCoy said, dressing in pink on the first Wednesday of rehearsals to honor the film’s classic line, “On Wednesdays, we wear pink.” The behind-the-scenes energy thus replicated their passion onstage each night, McCoy added.

Despite the story’s 2000s setting, the message of self-empowerment in an impersonal world remains relevant to today’s audiences, Atallah said. The dramatic and silly representation of high school struggles subtly reminds people to be kind to each other, she added. However, the musical has also been adapted to incorporate modern-day social media, McCoy said, thus morphing into both a time capsule and contemporary satire. Several costumes have also been updated to fit current fashion trends, Horn said, often swapping in crop tops for denim jumpsuits.

In the face of the show’s demanding schedule, McCoy said it can be a challenge to prioritize mental and physical health. She said connecting with family and close friends rejuvenates her after the high-energy requirements of her role. Atallah said friends from UCLA continue to support her career, with some flying in to watch her perform. Balancing her personal and professional life through self-care has been a lesson she hopes to share with aspiring theater artists, McCoy said. Nevertheless, Atallah added that this arduous but rewarding experience is eased by the duo’s friendship, as they brave their journey side by side.

“As a singer and an actor, your body is everything, your body is your craft,” Atallah said. “So understanding how to take care of that, … that’s what I would describe our life as.”

[Related: Theater review: Modernized ‘Mean Girls’ delivers entertainment but proves the limit does exist]

As the “Mean Girls” tour proceeds, Atallah said she wants to grow as both an artist and a person, adding that this role is a significant notch in her career belt. McCoy said performing in this iconic musical has been like no other, and she hopes to conclude the tour proud of her work. Most of all, McCoy said the show’s welcoming and supportive community stands out – emulating the very kindness propagated in the show’s message.

“I think it’s really a testament to the film that we understand that (kind) people do exist. … People make the active choice to be kind every day,” McCoy said. “And I think that it’s what our community and what our team is doing, … and it will really set us up for success.”