How did Stephanie Bissonnette die? 'Mean Girls the Musical' star, 32, was battling brain cancer since 2019
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In one of the most devastating news coming out from the entertainment industry, Stephanie Bissonnette, a renowned dancer and member of ‘Mean Girls the Musical’, died at the age of 32. The news of her death was confirmed by the members of the Broadway musical on social media and the official Twitter page of ‘Mean Girls the Musical’ shared the tragic news with the world.
In a heartbreaking statement, the show mourned the loss of the supremely talented artist and noted that her presence always made the room brighter. The musical show also stated that the dancer-choreographer “inspired” them to be brave in their lives and she’ll always be remembered as one of the most talented artists in the world of Broadway.
“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. 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 show tweeted.
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Our hearts are broken as the Mean Girls community mourns the loss of Stephanie Bissonnette.
— MEAN GIRLS on Broadway (@MeanGirlsBway) December 18, 2022
Our original Dawn Sweitzer, Stephanie was part of our Broadway company from our first performance to our last. pic.twitter.com/JKCATGVhMi
The show concluded the statement by saying that the entire ‘Mean Girls’ community will miss her “profoundly” and requested her loved ones to do something they love to honor the actor’s legacy. “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,” the statement concluded.
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 Broadway (@MeanGirlsBway) December 18, 2022
Bissonnette played the role of Dawn Schweitzer in Tina Fey's ‘Mean Girls the Musical’ and received a lot of praise for her performance.
Even though the cause of death hasn’t been revealed, the dancer-turned-actor never shied away from sharing about her battle with medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer. According to Playbill, the choreographer was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2019 and underwent surgery. In April 2019, she posted a photo of herself ringing a bell and letting the world know that she graduated from radiation. At the time, she thanked God and her loved ones for giving her the strength to come out of this life-altering situation.
She wrote, “Today I graduated from Radiation. A Good Friday indeed. Thanking the lord for his love and light through this. We can only go up from here friends.”
Apart from acting, she was also working as a dance instructor at the Broadway Dance Center. Her class primarily focused on style and musicality in the contemporary musical theatre spectrum. Bissonnette graduated with a BA in Dance Performance from Point Park University Conservatory of the Performing Arts.
Stephanie also appeared in music videos including Keith Urban's ‘Never Comin' Down’.
Rest in Peace, Stephanie!