Pom-Poms and Prejudice
Perfect for high school performers, this fresh adaptation sets Jane Austen’s beloved novel in the hallways of Pemberley High School. Elizabeth Bennet is a smart, outspoken cheerleader just trying to survive junior year. But life gets complicated when wealthy transfer student Charles Bingley arrives and instantly falls for Elizabeth’s sister Jane. His pretentious best friend and president of the drama club, William Darcy, seems determined to ruin everyone’s happiness – especially Elizabeth’s.
As Elizabeth navigates the social hierarchy of Pemberley High, she finds herself dealing with her boy-crazy younger sisters (one of whom runs off to pursue reality TV fame), her mother’s increasingly desperate matchmaking schemes, and the charming new ROTC cadet with a mysterious grudge against Darcy. Add in an awkward youth pastor with a Christian rap career, a best friend who makes questionable but practical life choices, and more high school drama than a semester’s worth of detention, and you’ve got a comedy that proves first impressions aren’t always what they seem.
This play maintains the wit and heart of Austen’s novel, while tackling contemporary issues like social media pressure, college applications, and the eternal awkwardness of high school romance. Students will relate to the modern setting, and teachers will appreciate the literary connections and surprising moments of poignancy amid the laughter.
Approximately 75-90 minutes.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
When Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice over two centuries ago, she probably never imagined her story would translate so perfectly to a modern high school. Yet here we are, with Elizabeth Bennet leading cheers instead of taking countryside walks, and Darcy writing pretentious plays instead of managing Pemberley.
As a playwright and educator, I’ve always been struck by how many of Austen’s themes resonate with today’s teenagers. The pressure to meet family expectations, the challenge of seeing past first impressions, the struggle between practicality and passion – these are as relevant to today’s high school students as they were to Austen’s Bennet sisters.
In adapting this beloved novel for the stage, I chose to embrace both the humor and heart of the original while translating it into a world today’s students understand. Elizabeth and her sisters navigate not just romance but college applications, extracurricular activities, and social media presence. Darcy’s pride manifests in theatrical ambitions rather than land ownership. Even Mrs. Bennet’s marriage obsession finds new life in her enthusiastic embrace of PemberleyPrep posts, potential homecoming dates, and the promise of future dental insurance plans.
Some changes were necessary, of course. Wickham’s scandal needed to be more appropriate for high school performers and audiences while still maintaining its impact on the family’s reputation. Charlotte’s practical marriage became a practical career choice. And Lady Catherine De Bourgh found new life as an incredibly intense cheer coach.
But at its core, this is still a story about pride, prejudice, and the courage it takes to admit when you’ve judged someone unfairly. It’s about family (even when they’re embarrassing you on social media), friendship (even when they’re making questionable life choices), and learning to see people for who they really are (even if they write terrible plays about teenage angst).
My hope is that this adaptation will not only entertain but might also inspire students to explore Austen’s novel and recognize how its themes continue to resonate in their own lives. After all, high school – like a Jane Austen novel – is ultimately about figuring out who you are and who you want to be.
Break a leg!
Bryan Starchman