Casting

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.

Jack Scott is the nerdy school announcer who trips over his own feet. Think about casting a student who will make this role his own and can portray a "gift of gab" radio voice. Jack can be quirky in all aspects: looks, dress and comportment. Most importantly, look for a character actor with superior diction and good comic timing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Ensemble makes up all the other characters who populate East High School: Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians, Skater Dudes, Cheerleaders, Ms. Tenny, Science Decathlon Moderator, etc., with a few featured solo parts further described below. The ensemble is present throughout the show and provides the vocal power for the group numbers. These roles vary in size and in vocal, acting and dance requirements, so you can cast performers with a wide range of abilities. The ensemble participates in several self-contained numbers, which provide great opportunities to use groups of students that can rehearse together. (For example, the sixth-grade chorus in one number, the seventh-grade classes in another, etc.) Don't be afraid to mix your age groups here. Look for students whose enthusiasm and ability to take direction can allow your ensemble to look like a perfect representation of your school and community.

Ripper is a cool skater dude who is, lo and behold, a cello player! Cast a student who can sell this fun "double personality" with one short but sweet air cello solo!

In the big Audition scene, James is the auditionee who sings so badly off key it would scare anyone! Cast a person who can confidently sound bad& this can be a challenge for a good musician.

Susan is the "pop star wanna be" audition candidate. Cast someone who is not afraid to go over-the-top with this short yet humorous part.

Cathy is the auditionee who can belt like Ethel Merman! Cast a student that can fill the auditorium with her voice. It doesn't need to be pretty!

Cyndra is the final auditionee and she sounds like an opera audition for the Met. If you have a young singer that can imitate an obnoxious vibrato in a serious manner, there's your perfect choice!