Eleanor Roosevelt High School is in the production stage of the High School Musical Play, based on High School Musical on Stage! for the 2023-2024 school year. The play is set to be performed on the following dates, Thursday, March 14, Friday, March 15, and Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 7 pm. Students will be able to watch the play performed during 4th and 6th periods on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. 

In the movie produced by Kenny Ortega, two high school students, popular star athlete, Troy Bolton, and mathlete, Gabriella Montez serendipitously meet each other at a karaoke party as they both sing a song together. After the celebration, they return to school and audition for the school play. Sharpay Evans is jealous of them and attempts to diminish their chances of being in the play. Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez are both determined to attend the auditions, while also juggling commitment to the basketball team and academics. 

Ms. Angelique Sterling, the drama director at Eleanor Roosevelt High School says she “enjoys the experiences students form in the acting field.” The energy and personalities of the characters in the play truly capture the spirit of our student body. Although Ms. Sterling uses the term, “drama director”, she is also a theater teacher.  As a theater teacher she “enjoys seeing her students forming their own thoughts along with making discoveries.” As a drama director, Ms. Sterling says, “while producing “High School Musical” and “The Wizard of Oz Gone Wrong”, watching her students receive directing notes and applying those notes successfully is such a wonderful moment.” 

Drama has been the lifelong passion of Ms. Sterling, and was rediscovered during the time she was an undergraduate, “I was running away from my passion, I realized theater/drama was the best journey for me during my junior year in college.” Through her dedication and ambition to the art of acting, Ms. Sterling directed her first production, which is also her favorite production, “7 Guitars” by August Wilson in March, 2023. This year, Ms. Sterling is looking forward to the production of High School Musical, saying, “it’s going to be filled with fun, energy, and unforgettable memories.” 

As students in the production crew cooperate with each other, they rely on their personal experiences in the theatrical journey. Sophomore, Grace Zannou, who’s one of the set designers, says “my eighth-grade teacher sparked my interest in acting because she introduced me to theater.” When asked what her favorite part of being a set designer was, she replied saying, “the people I’ll be working with and getting to know them.” Through talking to other students, and forming a close bond with them, the connection in the ERHS musical community grows stronger. 

Sophomore, Ella Childress is a sound designer and says her love for theater emerged from “watching movies and plays”. Although she enjoys the art of theater, she says being a set designer is difficult, “it’s a big responsibility because it’s a musical, so the notes produced are based on the songs.” There are exciting scenes in the play Set Designer, Grace Zannou and Sound Designer, Ella Childress are looking forward to. 

In 2007, High School Musical on Stage! was ranked as the fifth most frequently produced musical by U.S. high schools, according to Time magazine. The reason why High School Musical is so popular is because it brought a new perspective of teenagers’ views on musicals. The creative storyline, along with the songs became a major principal in 2000s’ entertainment. The tuneful songs and unique dance sequences have always been a classic highlight of our generation.

The High School Musical play truly captures the light of the ERHS community. The wide range of different organizations to be a part of represents our diverse body. In the play, students from various groups all work together to achieve their goal. The message portrayed is to stay true to who you are and have the courage to try new things. Everyone has their interests, their own passion, a spark that encourages them, and there is always a determination to try something new at school. As students in the hallways at Eleanor Roosevelt hurriedly rush to attend class, along with plans of attending clubs they’re interested in after school, one thing for sure is, we’re all in this together.