Set in a dystopian world where students’ futures depend entirely on their public academic ranking, Ranked tells the story of Lily, a student fighting to stay “Above the Average.” As her classmates compete ruthlessly to reach the top of the leaderboard, friendships fracture, secrets are exposed, and an impossible lie threatens to upend everything.

“Ranked holds up a mirror to the pressures today’s students face,” said Claudine Piechotta, director of the Harlequin Club’s production. “It’s a thought-provoking mix of intensity and heart that challenges us to ask: What are we worth? Who decides? And what happens when the system we trust begins to fail us?”

Since its premiere in 2019 at the University of California, Davis, Ranked has captured national attention, including being featured in the 2022 HBO documentary My So-Called High School Rank. With productions at high schools across the country and critical acclaim from Broadway World—calling it “a new requirement… all high school theatre groups shall have Ranked in their catalog”—this show has quickly become a defining story for a generation navigating achievement, anxiety, and authenticity.

The talented Harlequin Club cast and crew brings Ranked to life through an engaging score and heartfelt vocals that highlight the pressures and passions of students striving to succeed.

The Harlequin Club was selected to present Ranked at The PA THESPIAN CONFERENCE in January 2026. 

The Harlequin Club is Central Bucks West High School's student theatre organization and is fully self sustained through fundraising, donations and ticket sales. Under the leadership of Claudine Piechotta they have produced seven main stage productions to date: Macbeth (adapted by Ms. Piechotta) , R & H's Cinderella, Mean Girls, Alice by Heart, “Greatest Generation” (an original compilation of two one act plays: Badger, Happy Journey w/ generational music/dance), an original adaptation of Dicken's A Christmas Carol, written by Ms. Piechotta and now Ranked.  The club has won numerous awards in both performance and production and their performing arts students are proud members of both the International Thespian Honor Society, the Philadelphia Independence Awards and Bucks County Student Theatre Festival. 

Ms. Piechotta has 30 years of professional experience in the theatre, film, TV, and Radio as a writer, director and performer and continues to advocate for the integration of a full performing arts curriculum in Central Bucks. In its current extracurricular status, she is dedicated to showcasing exceptional student talent both onstage and behind the scenes and bringing dynamic, thought-provoking productions to the stage while providing educational and student leadership opportunities in the performing arts.