Steven Klenk of Mean Girls at Paramount Theatre

For Steven Klenk, taking the stage in Mean Girls at Paramount Theatre is more than a career milestone—it is a homecoming. Raised in Crete in Chicago’s south suburbs, the performer grew up attending shows with their mother, including productions at Paramount, and dreaming of one day being part of that same theatrical magic. Now, after years of community theatre, show choir, college training and a move to New York City, they return to Aurora in the role of Damian, bringing a deeply personal full-circle story to Paramount’s production of the Broadway hit.

In this Q&A, Steven reflects on the teachers, family members and fellow performers who helped shape their journey; the emotional moment they learned they had booked the role; and why young artists should keep seeking out the spaces, people and opportunities that make them feel at home.

Where did you grow up and how did that shape you?

I grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago, in a small town called Crete! I was an only child, raised by the most incredible mother who encouraged me in anything and everything I ever took interest in. Growing up, she would take me to see the touring productions in Chicago and to the Paramount Theatre to see shows, and I was hooked. I would put on plays in my family room with my childhood friends and played my original Wicked the musical CD until it wouldn’t play anymore. Having my mother fan the flame from such a young age definitely made such a huge impact on my trajectory and wanting to pursue performing as a career. 

When did you first discover your love of performing?

After doing little plays for my mom in my family room, and absolutely LOVING doing class plays in Elementary School, my mom signed me up for acting classes at The Rialto Theatre in Joliet. After that, she signed me up for the annual Summer Enrichment Program through the Crete-Monee High School theatre program, where they would produce large-scale productions every summer. This program would have a cast of 40-50 students ranging in age from elementary school to high school, and I am ridiculously grateful that I grew up in that program. I found my people, and having a circle of friends who can uplift, support, and distract you from life stressors I was facing as a kid truly kept me going.

What experiences helped lead you from your early beginnings to Broadway?

That summer theatre program was a HUGE reason why I continued performing. When I got into high school, I continued performing in theatre and then joined the Crete-Monee Cavaliers. Show Choir was another very important part of my early beginnings. I’d go to Showchoir Camps of America every summer, which is where I was introduced to Millikin University, where I’d end up furthering my education. I was encouraged to audition for the Illinois High School Theatre Festival All-State production and ended up being cast in 2017 (Sweeney Todd) and 2018 (Big Fish). Being a part of those productions changed my life. They introduced me to some incredible people and opened up my eyes to a world beyond my local theatre program. One of whom, I’m actually sharing the stage within Mean Girls. Getting to do this show with Ben Dow, making our Paramount Debut’s together, has been a truly beautiful experience!! 

What did it feel like to learn you had booked a Broadway role?

Ohhhhh I cried. I cried and cried and cried. Living in New York City now, I was crossing my fingers and toes for an opportunity to come home and perform here and have this full circle experience. My callback audition ended up being 3 days after I lost my Nannie (Grandmother), and I got the offer to play Damian the next day. The love and support my Nannie showed me in every single thing I ever did has made this an incredibly bittersweet run. I dedicated my show to her and am very grateful to have been able to reserve a seat in her honor at the opening night. 

What do audiences not always see about the work that goes into performing multiple shows a week?

The preparation! Our ensemble is truly one of the hardest working I have ever seen. They are doing some incredibly vigorous choreography in this show, and the way they attack it with ferocity in every single performance is inspiring to watch. Our swings, understudies, and dance captain have truly been the backbone of our show, sometimes doing split track performance covering for multiple people. The work they have done throughout this process has been ridiculously inspiring to watch, and I’m grateful to have had a front row seat to their brilliance. 

What advice would you give to young performers from your hometown who hope to follow a similar path?

If you love or find solace in something, immerse yourself in as much of it as you possibly can. Watch the YouTube videos, take the classes, join the group, listen to the music, audition for the show, take the trip. There is no rule book, and there is no finish line. Everyone has a completely different journey, and as long as you have trust in yourself, keep your head up, and continue forward regardless of what comes between you and your truth, you will rise above it. ALWAYS advocate for yourself. “Create your own reality” has been a mantra I’ve lived by for many, many years. I firmly believe in it. If anything, this experience with Mean Girls at Paramount Theatre has been a testament to that. It has been the dream of all dreams, and the most beautiful full circle experience.  

From family-room performances in Crete to the Paramount stage in Aurora, Steven Klenk’s story is a reminder that big dreams often begin close to home. Their journey has been shaped by a supportive mother, formative local theatre programs, meaningful friendships and the determination to keep moving forward—especially when the path was not always easy. As they bring Damian to life in Mean Girls, they are also honoring the people and places that encouraged them to pursue the stage in the first place.

For aspiring performers across the Chicago suburbs and Fox Valley, their message is clear: lean into what you love, seek out opportunities to grow, advocate for yourself and trust that your own path can lead somewhere extraordinary. Mean Girls at Paramount Theatre offers audience plenty of laughs, powerhouse performances and sharp Broadway spectacle—but for this cast member, it also carries the special joy of coming home.

Learn more about the Aurora Area and plan your trip