A source said that Stephanie Bissonnette, who played Dawn Schweitzer in the Mean Girls musical and was 32 years old, has died.
Back in 2019, Stephanie Bissonnette was told she had medulloblastoma, which is a rare type of cancer that affects the primary central nervous system.
The actress told SurvivorNet about the time she thought she needed to go to the doctor.
A “twinge” during a “cartwheel with no hands [which literally passed in two seconds — it was very brief, and I was able to finish the show that day,
she said.
Then I called out of the show that night because I was like, ‘Oh, I think I might be getting sick or coming down with something.’
The Broadway star then told the outlet that because her job as a performer is so physically demanding, she was able to see the signs earlier than someone who works a “regular 9-to-5.”
I don’t think we would have found [the tumor] if I worked a normal 9 to 5 job,
she explained.
Because I move so much and I do crazy things for a living — I’ve been doing it since I was 5 — just [that] little moment in the show [made me go], ‘Why am I having trouble today? There’s got to be something else going on.’
After getting the help that same year, the 32-year-old was back on the big stage for a Mean Girls reunion in October of the following year.
When she talked about her friends and other actors on Broadway, she said:
I’ve very grateful for all of them. They’ve been very supportive and aware [that February is a big month].
Last year, my whole life was falling apart. So, I’m a little more quiet and internal this month at work… They know it’s hard. They check in and make sure that I’m OK, but they also give me space to feel through it.
On Sunday, the show broke the news of Stephanie Bissonnette’s death with a touching tribute.
Our hearts are broken as the Mean Girls community mourns the loss of Stephanie Bissonnette,
they wrote.
Our original Dawn Sweitzer, Stephanie was part of our Broadway company from our first performance to our last.
She filled our theater with her laughter and friendship, inspired us with her fighting spirit and bravery, and graced our stage with the fiercest talent Broadway has ever known,
the company wrote in a series of emotional follow-up tweets.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Stephanie’s family, friends, and the entire Mean Girls community during this time. We will miss her profoundly and encourage everyone to do something they love today in Stephanie’s honor.
Our hearts are broken as the Mean Girls community mourns the loss of Stephanie Bissonnette.
Our original Dawn Sweitzer, Stephanie was part of our Broadway company from our first performance to our last. pic.twitter.com/JKCATGVhMi
— Mean Girls On Stage (@MeanGirlsStage) December 18, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with Stephanie’s family, friends, and the entire Mean Girls community during this time. We will miss her profoundly and encourage everyone to do something they love today in Stephanie’s honor.
— Mean Girls On Stage (@MeanGirlsStage) December 18, 2022
Bissonnette was a talented dancer who did the choreography for The Muny, Riverside Theatre, Seven Angels Theatre, and Shakespeare Theatre Company.
According to a source, she was also in Ensemble, a documentary about Broadway dancers that was made during the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown.
Rest in peace, Stephanie Bissonnette. During this hard time, her family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers.
