Disney's High School Musical JR.
We're all in this together in Disney Channel's smash hit musical phenomenon featuring the students of East High.
Restrictions may apply for International Licensing.
Show Essentials
18
Roles
+ Ensemble
G
Rated
1
Act

Full Synopsis

On the front steps of East High, it's the first day after winter break ("Wildcat Cheer"). The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations and look forward to the new year ("Start of Something New"). In Ms. Darbus' homeroom, basketball team captain, Troy, discovers that Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. When he calls her, the eccentric drama teacher quickly confiscates all cell phones and assigns detention. Between classes, Gabriella and Troy look at the audition sign-up for the school musical, but the drama diva, Sharpay, discourages them. At basketball practice, Troy tries to shake his desire to sing at the urging of his best friend, Chad ("Get'cha Head in the Game"). Taylor, the science club president, discovers Gabriella's intelligence and encourages her to join the upcoming science decathlon.

While the students learn how to "act" at detention, Troy's dad, Coach Bolton, faces off with Ms. Darbus – his star players can't miss practice because Friday is the championship game! The next day, hopeful Thespians strut their stuff for Ms. Darbus ("Auditions"), but they're no match for Sharpay and her twin brother, Ryan ("What I've Been Looking For"). Troy and Gabriella arrive too late to audition, but Kelsi, the show's composer, plays the song her way and encourages them to sing ("What I've Been Looking For – Reprise"). Ms. Darbus overhears and gives them a callback, which turns the school order upside down! Sharpay is furious, and some students try to break out of their cliques during lunch ("Stick to the Status Quo"). The Jocks and Brainiacs devise a plan to trick Troy and Gabriella into forgetting about the musical and committing to their respective competitions ("Counting on You"). Thinking each one has betrayed the other, Gabriella and Troy are crushed.

Against Ryan's advice, Sharpay convinces Ms. Darbus to move the callbacks to conflict with the science decathlon and championship game. Chad and Taylor put their heads together to make things right again ("We're All in This Together"). While the Brainiacs and Jocks compete, Sharpay and Ryan pull off a polished callback performance ("Bop to the Top"). When Taylor's laptop shuts down the electricity, Troy and Gabriella rush to the theatre, but are too late for their callback. When the East High students arrive to rally behind them, Ms. Darbus relents, and they sing their way into the lead roles ("Breaking Free"). Back at the gym, the Wildcats win the game, and the whole school comes together as winners ("We're All in This Together – Reprise," "High School Musical Megamix – Bows").

Casting
← Back to Disney's High School Musical JR.
Cast Size: Medium (11 to 20 performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Gabriella Montez

Gabriella Montez is the new student who’s struggling to find her place at East High. She’s a Renaissance woman who doesn’t fully identify with any of the cliques, and so she’s taking her time – and realizing her confidence – along the way. Smart and independent, Gabriella can be shy and vulnerable at times. She comes into her own when she discovers her talent and love for singing with Troy, so look for a strong actor with a fantastic voice.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Troy Bolton

Troy Bolton, the most popular student at East High, is the star of the basketball team who yearns to be more than what others – especially his dad, Coach Bolton – want him to be. A natural athlete and leader with charm to spare, Troy discovers he loves to sing, but is afraid to admit it to his basketball buddies. Look for a solid actor who can convey the full range of Troy’s emotions from sensitive to self-assured, and who can dance and sing very well. Consider auditioning your potential Troys and Gabriellas together to get a sense of the pair’s dynamic.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: Bb3
Vocal range bottom: Eb2
Sharpay Evans

Sharpay Evans is the dramatic and self- centered star of the school musicals. Between her and Ryan, she’s the alpha twin – over-the-top, demanding, and always “on,” with a flair for the theatrical. This diva knows how to work a crowd, so cast a performer with solid acting chops and strong singing and dancing skills.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A3
Ryan Evans

Ryan Evans is Sharpay’s fraternal twin and, like her, he lives to sing, dance, and get loads of attention. Subordinate to his sister, Ryan generally follows Sharpay’s orders and lets her have the spotlight, but he longs to break free from her shadow and assert himself. Choose a “triple threat” for this actor – strong singer, dancer, and actor – because everything Ryan does is calculated and executed impeccably. Consider auditioning Ryan and Sharpay in pairs as the success of “Bop to the Top” depends on this dynamic duo performing perfectly – and with a ton of energy.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: A3
Vocal range bottom: G2
Kelsi Nielsen

Kelsi Nielsen, the neo-feminist writer- composer of the winter musical, Juliet and Romeo, possesses a shy demeanor but no tolerance for the egocentric likes of Sharpay. With only one lyric to sing, focus on finding a strong actor who can play the compassionate underdog with intelligence and an uncanny ability to shoot zingers at Sharpay with timing and accuracy.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D4
Chad Danforth

Chad Danforth, one of Troy’s best friends, is a sports fanatic. Focused on winning the basketball championship, Chad slowly begins to understand that there might be more to life than ball – including his crush on Taylor. Look for an actor that partners naturally with Troy, is a leader of his own accord, and can handle a couple of short solos and acting scenes.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: G3
Vocal range bottom: B2
Zeke Baylor

Zeke Baylor, Troy’s other best buddy, is a basketball player with a sweet side. He has two secrets: a crush on Sharpay and a love for baking! Look for an actor with some singing chops who can portray this Wildcat with no shame in his (basketball or baking) game. Zeke has some higher parts to sing, so if necessary, the actor you cast can speak-sing parts that may be out of his natural range.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: G#3
Vocal range bottom: G2
Taylor Mckessie

Taylor McKessie, the very put-together president of the Science Club, is super-assertive and very intent on Gabriella joining the Science Decathlon team so they can (finally!) win the competition. Taylor has a hidden soft spot for Chad, but would never let it be known that she’s into a jock, so cast a performer who can portray confidence – and just a slight air of pretentiousness.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: A3
Vocal range bottom: A2
Ms. Darbus

Ms. Darbus is East High’s eccentric drama teacher. Passionate and disciplined, she never stops trying to enrich the lives of her students through the wonders of live theater. Look for a performer who knows how to milk every line and gesture for this role, as the key to Darbus is in her killer comic timing. Be careful of making her too wacky, though; this educator genuinely loves her art and her students, so make sure her heart shines through.

Gender: female
Coach Bolton

Coach Bolton, the stern basketball coach and Troy’s sometimes overbearing dad, lost the big game years ago and wants a second chance through his basketball-star son. Cast an actor who can handle the demands of this mature role – and who can convincingly and comically spar with Ms. Darbus.

Gender: male
Martha Cox

Martha Cox, a proud member of the Science Club, possesses a private passion for break dancing. Look for a truly terrific dancer who can sing, or one who can comically approach the role as a super-enthusiastic, but talentless, dancer.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: G3
Ensemble

The ensemble is your show’s primary group of performers from which you will pull the featured roles and other, perhaps smaller, ensembles. Be sure to select strong singers – as few or as many as your production requires – as all ensembles require group singing. The featured roles call for either solo singing or solo acting, or both.

The BRAINIACS, headed by Taylor McKessie, are the smartest girls and boys in school, including Martha Cox and the change-adverse KRATNOFF.

The JOCKS and CHEERLEADERS are the East High athletes, including Troy, Chad, and Zeke. Both of these groups can be a mix of boys and girls.

The THESPIANS are the drama lovers, including Kelsi, Sharpay, and Ryan, as well as the following auditionees: CATHY, who belts like Ethel Merman, CYNDRA, the opera-lover, JAMES, who can’t sing on pitch and SUSAN, the wannabe pop star.

The PARTY KIDS are students in Troy and Gabriella’s karaoke flashback.

The REBELS, including Troy and Gabriella, don’t stick to the status quo, unlike the various school cliques.

Other featured performers include:

JACK SCOTT, the school announcer with a larger-than-life personality, longs to be a D.J. Look for an actor who will have no problem making this role his own, creating a quirky radio personality with a unique sense of style. While this actor will primarily stay as Jack throughout, there are opportunities to join ensemble numbers such as “Stick to the Status Quo” and “Get’cha Head in the Game.”

DRUM MAJOR, who cheers on the Wildcats.

MS. TENNY, East High’s chemistry teacher.

MODERATOR, for the Science Decathlon (can be double cast as Ms. Tenny)

Full Song List
Disney's High School Musical JR.: Wildcat Cheer
Disney's High School Musical JR.: Start of Something New
Disney's High School Musical JR.: Get'cha Head in the Game
Disney's High School Musical JR.: Auditions (Bop to the Top/What I've Been Looking For)
Disney's High School Musical JR.: What I've Been Looking For
Disney's High School Musical JR.: What I've Been Looking for (Reprise)
Disney's High School Musical JR.: Stick to the Status Quo
Disney's High School Musical JR.: Counting on You
Disney's High School Musical JR.: We're All in This Together
Disney's High School Musical JR.: Bop to the Top
Disney's High School Musical JR.: Breaking Free
Disney's High School Musical JR.: We're All in This Together (Reprise)
Disney's High School Musical JR.: High School Musical Megamix (Bows)

Connect

Curriculum Connection

  • Tragedy
  • Culinary Arts
  • Peer Pressure
  • Morals
  • Self-respect
  • Perseverance
  • Bullying

Billing

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Licence Agreement, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on house-boards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind. You agree to supply to the Licensor full details of all such material for Licensor’s approval prior to printing and distribution and supply two (2) copies of the program after printing.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.

Author Billing – Disney's High School Musical JR .

In accordance with the Dramatic Performing Rights License, all advertising, such as posters and program covers, must include the show logo as provided in the ShowKit® Director's Guide and all of the following author billing.
It is a violation of your contract if you crop or edit this logo in any way.
The [Licensee]
Production of

Disney

Book by
DAVID SIMPATICO
 
Based on a Disney Channel Original Movie Written by
Peter Barsocchini
 
Songs by
Matthew Gerrard & Robbie Nevil
Ray Cham, Greg Cham & Andrew Seeley
Randy Petersen & Kevin Quinn
Andy Dodd & Adam Watts
Bryan Louiselle
David N. Lawrence & Faye Greenberg
Jamie Houston
 
Music Adapted, Arranged and Produced by
Bryan Louiselle
 
The billing to you must be in the form specified above, including the words "Production of" below your billing, which shall be visually contiguous with the title, all so that the audience is informed that you are the producer. Your billing shall be no less than 50% of the size of the logo or artwork title, as measured by the proportion of the average size of your name to the largest letter in the logo or artwork title. The name "Disney's" shall be in plain type font, shall be no more than 33% of the title, as measured by the proportion of the size of the "D" in "Disney" to the size of the largest letters in the title, and in no event may you duplicate the tour logo or title nor the logo and title from the Disney Channel original movie "High School Musical."

Video Warning

If you purchase a separate license to allow non-commercial video recording of this production, you must print the following in your program. ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONAL, AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW. If you do not purchase the separate license for video recording, you must print the following in your program. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
ACTOR'S BOOK30
DIRECTOR'S GUIDE1
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MEDIA1
GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL1
PIANO VOCAL SCORE1

Production Resources

Resource
ACTOR'S BOOK TENPACK
CUSTOMIZABLE SHOW POSTER
FAMILY MATTERS
FAMILY MATTERS (PACK OF 10)
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT XX-LARGE
SCENIC PROJECTIONS
STREAMING & REMOTE LICENSE DISNEY