The main protagonists of the film High School Musical are Troy Bolton, the star athlete of East High and Gabriela Montez, the genius of mathematics who just transferred to East High. At first glance, the characters couldn’t be more different from each other. Bolton, played by teenage heartthrob Zac Efron, is the captain of the basketball team and is one of the school’s most popular personalities. He is well loved and is expected to lead his team, the East High Wildcats, to victory in basketball championships.
On the other hand, Gabriela Montes, played by eighteen-year-old Vanessa Ann Hudgens, is a math expert and is the new girl at school. She sees this as the perfect opportunity to try new things and not just focus on math, which has always been her greatest strength.
The two characters meet over winter break without realizing that they will end up being school buddies when classes resume. The two were forced to sing together during karaoke night at a ski resort and that’s when they realized they both enjoyed singing.
When they audition for the East High – Twinkle Town winter musical, they end up being called up for final auditions for the lead roles against the brothers Sharpay and Ryan Evans. The two teenagers have always starred in school productions.
Sharpay Evans is the drama queen of the school. Played by Ashley Tisdale, the Disney star who also has a regular role on the popular television sneaker The Suite Life of Zach & Cody, Sharpay isn’t happy that she might end up playing the lead role understudy for new girl Gabriela.
Sharpay’s talented brother Ryan is played by Lucas Grabeel. He helps his sister come up with plans to prevent sportsman Troy Bolton and math expert Gabriela from landing the lead roles in Twinkle Town.
Sharpay and Ryan also put on elaborate performances that really make their drama teacher, Ms. Darbus, proud. Add to this the fact that Ms. Darbus is wary of Troy’s true intentions for the audition.
Troy has a best friend named Chad played by Corbin Bleu. Corbin is also a Disney star who has starred in his own film about jump rope equipment: Jump In! Gabriela, on the other hand, finds a trusted friend in Taylor McKessie played by actress Monique Coleman.
Another character who plays an important role in Troy and Gabriela landing the coveted lead roles in Twinkle Town is the composer and pianist Kelsi Nielsen. Kelsi created all the music for the musical and helps Troy and Gabriela practice the songs. Kelsi Nielsen is played by actress Olesya Rulin.
Other characters in the film are: Zeke, the pastry basketball player played by Chris Warren Jr .; Coach Jack Bolton, father of Troy Bolton and coach of the basketball team played by Bart Johnson; Jason, a basketball player played by Ryne Sanborn; Ms. Monte played by Socorro Herrera; Director Matsi played by Joey Miyashima; and other support models.