The document provides a detailed synopsis and context for the Disney musical "High School Musical". It summarizes the plot of Act 1, describing how Troy and Gabriella meet and audition for the school musical despite facing opposition from Sharpay and pressure from friends. It also introduces the main characters and their roles in different social groups at East High School.

1. Unit 2:Production Workshop
Jessica Collins

2. 
High School Musical, the
playwright is David Simpatico and
the show premiered in 2007.

3. 
 At East High School (in Albuquerque, New Mexico) ("Wildcat
Cheer"), Troy Bolton tells his Jock friends, Chad Danforth and
Zeke Baylor, about meeting Gabriella Montez on New Year's
Eve during winter vacation on a ski trip. Gabriella, who has just
moved to Albuquerque, also tells her newfound Brainiac
friends Taylor McKessie, Kelsi Nielsen and Martha Cox of her
vacation. We meet Sharpay and Ryan Evans, the two drama
stars of the school. Sharpay is selfish, and Ryan follows her
orders but tries to be friends with everyone. Troy and Gabriella
have a flashback to New Year's Eve when they met. ("Start of
Something New"). One-half of the song is during the
flashback, then we return to East High where
Chad, Taylor, Kelsi, Ryan, Sharpay, Zeke and other students
sing of their New Year's Resolutions.
Synopsis: ACT 1

4. 
 In homeroom, Mrs. Darbus tells her class of the upcoming winter
musical, "Juliet and Romeo", a new version of Shakespeare's
"Romeo and Juliet", written by Kelsi Nielsen, a shy East High
student. When Ryan, Sharpay, Troy, and Gabriella start using their
cell phones, Mrs. Darbus gives them all detention. Chad
interferes, telling Mrs. Darbus that Troy cannot go because they
have basketball practice after school and that they have an
upcoming championship game. Mrs. Darbus then gives Chad a 30
minute detention, and gives Taylor detention when she remarks
that Chad can't even count that high. At Gabriella's locker, Troy
runs into her and they show their amazement of how they found
each other again. Sharpay walks by and tries to flirt with Troy, but
he shows no interest in her. Sharpay observes that he is interested
in Gabriella and she is interested in him. Later, the Jocks have
basketball practice ("Get'cha Head in the Game").

5. 
 Pacific Repertory Theatre's School of Dramatic Arts High School Musical Act
1 Finale.
 In a Science class, Gabriella shows her smarts by pointing out a flaw in the
teacher's equation. Taylor is impressed and asks, on behalf of her Science
Club, if Gabriella could join their team to win the upcoming Scholastic
Decathlon, although Gabriella refuses. Sharpay overhears and has Ryan
investigate by Googling her.
 Discovering that Gabriella was a very intelligent Brainiac at her old
school, Sharpay prints her newfound information and puts it in Taylor's
locker. The students later head to the Mrs. Darbus's room for
detention, and act like animals. Taylor then asks Gabriella again to join the
Scholastic Decathlon team based on the printouts Sharpay planted in her
locker, and Gabriella agrees. Everyone does the 'ball of noise,' and Coach
Bolton comes to get Troy and Chad for practice and then talks to Mrs.
Darbus about it.

6. 
 The next day, thespians audition for the play ("Auditions").
Sharpay and Ryan audition as well ("What I've Been Looking
For"). After the auditions have been declared closed, Gabriella and
Troy sing the song as Kelsi intended it - much slower ("What I've
Been Looking For (Reprise)"). Although Troy and Gabriella did
not intend it to be an audition they are called back for a second
audition. When their friends hear the news they spread it via cell
phones ("Cellular Fusion").
 Sharpay is furious, believing Troy and Gabriella have stolen the
lead roles and broken the 'rules' of East High. Though most of the
school agrees, lyrical chaos erupts during a lunch break when
students begin telling their secret obsessions outside of their
cliques ("Stick to the Status Quo"). The scene culminates with
Sharpay getting 'caked' by Zeke (who secretly likes her), after
Gabriella spins into him. Act I ends with Sharpay angrily shouting
"Someone is going to pay for this!"

7. 
 Jack Scott recaps events before Troy and Gabriella dance on the
rooftop garden ("I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You"). Zeke comes
to Sharpay's locker and tries to flirt with her. Meanwhile, the Jocks
and Brainiacs plot against the infuriated duo during study hall.
Sharpay and Ryan see the Jocks and the Brainiacs mingling
together and imagine they are trying to help Troy and Gabriella. So
Sharpay lies to Mrs. Darbus saying that Troy and his dad are
trying to ruin the auditions because she gave Troy detention. Later
at practice, ("Wildcat Cheer (Reprise)"), Mrs. Darbus talks to
Troy's dad and then he talks to Troy. Gabriella comes to practice to
see Troy while Martha comes and takes her to the lab. Troy's dad
thinks Gabriella is the reason why Troy got detention. He tells Troy
that he is a playmaker and not a singer. This infuriates Troy who
angrily asks his father if he ever wondered if he could be both and
storms off in a rage, leaving his father stunned.
ACT 2

8. 
 The Jocks and Brainiacs put their plan to work, pushing at Troy
and Gabriella to 'split up'. Eventually, Troy, furious with his
friends for telling him the same things his dad did, gives in and
pretends that he doesn't like Gabriella, completely oblivious to
the phone in Zeke's hand, transmitting Troy's words directly to
Gabriella ("Counting on You"). Gabriella hears and becomes
very upset. Troy and Gabriella, lonely and upset, sing ("When
There Was Me and You"). The Jocks and Brainiacs then realize
that they have gone too far and feel guilty for ruining Troy and
Gabriella's relationship.
 Act 2 Finale of Pacific Repertory Theatre's School of Dramatic
Arts production of Disney's High School Musical.

9. 
 The next day, Sharpay and Ryan are rehearsing for their
callback while Sharpay talks to Ryan about her role in the
school. Then Troy comes in looking for Gabriella and Ryan tells
him that she is in the theatre. Troy goes to the theatre and tells
Gabriella that they were set up and he didn't mean what he
said and sings to remind her of New Year's ("Start of
Something New (reprise)").
 Hearing that the callback date has been moved up by request of
Sharpay to the same time as the big game and the Scholastic
Decathlon, Troy and Gabriella announce to the Jocks and
Brainiacs that they are going to not do the callback, but instead
help their respective teams for their events. The Jocks and
Brainiacs say they should do the callbacks. Troy and Gabriella
refuse, but the teams decide to lend a helping hand anyway
("We're All In This Together").

10. 
 On the day of the big game/Decathlon/callbacks, the
students are excited for the festivities. Sharpay and Ryan
perform their callback song ("Bop to the Top"), which at
the same time happens with the basketball championship
and the science decathlon, during which Taylor engineers
an electronic meltdown in the decathlon and light
malfunctions in the game, which forces all the students to
move to the theater. Chad and Taylor explain to Troy and
Gabriella that this is their only chance. Mrs.
Darbus, hesitant to allow Troy and Gabriella an audition
due to their lateness, has no choice but to let them
audition as the auditorium fills with students ("Breaking
Free"). Mrs. Darbus gives Troy and Gabriella the parts on
the spot with everyone watching.

11. 
 The end of Act II brings us to the gym where all the
main characters wrap up their plots (Chad asks out
Taylor, Zeke gets Sharpay to be nice to him, Jack
Scott and Kelsi literally fall head over heels for each
other, and Sharpay makes up with Gabriella and
Troy). The Wildcats win the big game and the
Decathlon. The students celebrate ("We're All in
This Together (Reprise)") followed by a recap of all
the major songs in the show ("Megamix").

12. 
 High School Musical is based in modern times and
this is shown through the use of technology such as
mobile phones used by Sharpay for example.
Therefore it is also set in a time with no current
apparent conflict or discrimination as there is a
number of ethnics actively taking part in the show.
Historical Context

13. 
 The show is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is
scene through the hot weather seen throughout the
show through the use of set for example blue skies
and sun and the choice of clothing for example the
females wearing skirts and t-shirts whereas the
males wear shorts and t-shirts.
Geographical Context

14. 
 It is apparent throughout the show that the
characters are heavily shown as being in particular
social groups and breaking out of these conformity's
being a big deal. These groups include The Jocks,
The Thespians, The Brainiacs, The Skater Dudes and
The Adults.
Social Context

15. 
 Troy Bolton - Captain of the Basketball team, Father is the
coach. Secretly has a talent for musical theatre. Has a close
relationship with fellow basketball team member Chad
Danforth. Main Lead.
 Chad Danforth - Basketball team member, friend of
Troy's. Initially doesn’t like the idea of Troy splitting
himself between basketball and musicals. Throughout the
show has a emerging relationship with Brainiac Taylor
McKessie.
 Zeke Baylor - Basketball team member. Passion for baking
doesn’t want to break away from what he is known for
and what is expected of him.
Main Character Analysis

16. 
 Sharpay Evans - Lead in every school musical since
kindergarten. President of the drama club. And most popular
student. Although she has a catty aggressive side that shows
she will do anything to stay on top a sensitive side is shown.
Has a close relationship with brother Ryan Evans.
 Ryan Evans - Sharpay's brother. Performs with Sharpay in
musicals. Vice president of the drama club, sometimes wishes
Sharpay allowed him to have relationships with students from
other social groups.
 Kelsi Neilsen - Pianist for the drama club. Composer of the
winter musical. Quiet and inteligient.
 James Parker - An earthworm expression. Has the worst sense
of pitch.

17. 
 Gabriella Montez - The "New Girl" to East High
School, met Troy over winter break. Has a romanctic
relationship that grows throughout with lead male Troy
Bolton. Has a hidden talent for musical theatre and is the
main persuasion for Troy to be involved in the School
Musical.
 Taylor McKessie - Head of the Brainiacs. Very smart. Has
an emerging relationship with Jock Chad Danforth. At
first isn’t supportive of the Brainiacs newest recruit
Gabriella splitting her time with musical theatre.
 Martha Cox - Brainiac, who has a passion for hip-hop
dancing.
 Kratnoff - Brainiac, who is very much against Martha
Cox's dancing, and "knows everything about everything"

18. 
 Ripper - Head of the skater dudes. Passion for the cello
 Mongo - Skater dude. Rippers's "sidekick"
 Ms. Darbus - Drama Teacher. Dislikes the Jocks and
Coach Bolton. Thinks the whole world revolves around
Musical Theatre and the annual School Musical.
 Coach Bolton - Gym Teacher and coach of the basketball
team, isn’t supportive of Troy wanting to do the musicals.
 Ms Tenny- the Chemistry Teacher.

19. 
 Scenery: Inside school, lockers, corridors, posters on
walls, canteen, large round tables, levels, ‘stage area’.
 Props: Microphones, basketballs, cutlery in
canteen, chairs, Sharpay’s dog.
 Costume: Cheerleader outfits, Basketball outfits in the
‘wildcat’ colours of red and white, casual clothes, glasses
for braniacs, Sharpay and Ryan matching in pink and
white.
 Scenic Lighting: Natural lighting for most scenes as they
take place in a school but stage lighting for when the
show’s take place.
 Sound: Musical Numbers.
Initial Creative Ideas: