Stephanie Bissonnette Cause of Death Tragic: "Mean Girls" Broadway Cast Performed Despite Illness

Stephanie Bissonnette, a cast from "Mean Girls" the musical on Broadway, has died because of a rare form of brain cancer after being diagnosed three years ago. She was 32.

The production team of "Mean Girls" on Broadway shared the devastating news via Twitter: "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."

According to Deadline, Bissonnette was first diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer called medulloblastoma in 2019 and even took the time off to undergo treatment, but quickly returned to Broadway because of her passion and love for her craft.

The "Mean Girls" musical cast and production team definitely felt this love, as they mourned her death and celebrated her life and talent.

"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."

"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."

'Twinge'

According to reports, Bissonnette first noticed something was wrong with her when she felt a strange "twinge" while she was performing in 2019.

"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.'"

Bissonette acted quickly on her illness and had the tumor removed by February 2019, and underwent treatment, but despite her cancer, Bissonnette pushed through and performed, being there from the very first to the last performance on Broadway.

According to E News, Bissonnette is not only a Broadway performer, she is also a dance teacher and choreographer.

She studied at Point Park University under the Conservatory of the Performing Arts and has been quite successful in her craft.

She has had a hand in choreographing for the following theaters: The Munnt, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Seven Angels Theatre, and Riverside Theatre.

Tags

Broadway, Death, Dead, Mean girls