#hsm spotlight

[entertainment]

Entertainment Spotlight: Joshua Bassett, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Joshua Basset is an 18 year-old actor and songwriter from Oceanside, California. He had a recurring role on Disney Channel's Stuck in the Middle, recently guest starred on Dirty John and recently starred in a recurring role on ABC's Grey's Anatomy. In High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Bassett plays Ricky, a sarcastic yet charismatic skate rat and high school junior, who launches a bold plan to prove himself to his ex-girlfriend Nini — by auditioning to star opposite her in the school's first-ever production of High School Musical. Joshua took the time to answer some of our questions:

Describe the role of Ricky in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Ricky is best described as a sarcastic sweetheart. He’s a skater, who plays guitar as a “side-thing.” Due to his parents’ rocky marriage, he has a difficult time with emotional intimacy, leading to a complicated love life. He “plays it cool” but really is a softy at heart.

What is your favorite line of Ricky’s (without any spoilers)?

It’s tough picking a favorite. I actually was able to improvise a chunk of dialogue in the season finale that made it in the final cut. It’s filled with spoilers, so you’ll have to take my word on it for now ;)

If you could spend one episode playing another character, which character would you want to play?

I would kill to be any character because they’re all so dynamic, but I’d actually rather BE Frankie Rodriguez (who plays Carlos). He’s the funniest person I’ve ever met. I envy his wit.

What’s your favorite song from the original HSM films?

“You Are the Music in Me” from “High School Musical 2” or “Breaking Free” from “High School Musical.” Both staples in my childhood.

How does it feel to be part of an iconic franchise like High School Musical?

I’m honored! How neat that the same people behind the iconic franchise I grew up with, put their faith in me for this series. It’s exciting, too, that it is its own thing – a kind of tribute to the first three, while also independently wonderful.

Thanks, Joshua! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!

[entertainment]

Entertainment Spotlight: Dara Renee’, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Los Angeles-born and Baltimore-raised, Renee' has entertainment in her genes.  Since the age of 11, Renee' has studied at her and her mom's performing arts studio, “Encouraging Youth to Dream.”  She recently starred as Savannah in Disney Channel's Original Movie Freaky Friday, has guest starred on ABC's The Kids Are Alright and recently landed the recurring role of Stunts on the hit ABC show black-ish.  Renee' plays the role of Kourtney, Nini's ride-or-die best friend who's obsessed with makeup tutorials and feminism in equal measure.  Kourtney works on the costume crew of "High School Musical," pulling together runway-ready fashion on a high school budget. Check out our interview with her:

Describe the role of Kourtney in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Kourtney is a powerful force to be reckoned with. She is Nini’s BFF and prides herself on being a feminist. She is most known for her makeup tutorials and whipping up runway fashion on a high school budget.  She works on the costume crew for “High School Musical,” making sure everyone looks fierce and sickening at ALL COSTS!

What is your favorite line of hers (without any spoilers)?

To Big Red, Ricky’s best friend: “I’m dismantling the patriarchy this year and I’m NOT afraid to start with you.”

Describe High School Musical: The Musical: The Series in emojis.

😱😍🤯☕️😭🙌🏾

Did you get a chance to meet with any of the original HSM cast members?

I actually got a chance to do an interview with Monique Coleman before I even auditioned for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series! She was legit so sweet and just straight up AMAZING. She has been a role model to me ever since I was young, and I feel like now that I’m older, I truly understand the powerful impact she has on people around the world. I love her soooo much!

I ALSO got a chance to meet Corbin Bleu in person at D23 Expo. That was beyond crazy due to the fact that he was my childhood crush! And seeing him now?! OMGOSH – he’s still as fine as can be!!!

What’s the funniest photo that you have on your phone right now (either share or describe it)?

So I go to a coffee shop here in LA and the waiter gives me a cappuccino on the house! And I’m over here thinking he’s flirting with me, so I took this selfie thinking I was cute. I go to the waiter to thank him - and I was low key flirting because I’m smooth like that! - and he proceeded to tell me that another customer ordered it but quickly realized he had a harsh allergy to the coffee…and the waiter was obligated to give it to someone else. The only other person in the shop was me.

Thanks, Dara! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!

[entertainment]

Entertainment Spotlight: Olivia Rodrigo, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Born and raised in Temecula, California, Olivia has been singing, playing music and acting since she was age six. She most recently starred in Disney Channel's comedy Bizaardvark. In High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Rodrigo plays Nini, who just returned from summer theater camp after finding her voice, her confidence — and her new boyfriend. Fiercely loyal to her two moms, Nini is a star — if she can just believe in herself long enough to stay put in the spotlight. We got the chance to ask Olivia some questions:

Describe the role of Nini in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Nini is a junior in high school who you wouldn’t be surprised to learn is a huge theater kid. Throughout the series, theater really serves as a guiding light for Nini as she navigates one of the most confusing chapters of her life. I mean, she’s a junior- she has to deal with love, her girlhood, finding her voice and her confidence, the SATs, and so much more.

What is your favorite line of hers (without any spoilers)?

I love when Nini responds to a hiccup in her audition with the words, "I’m not thrown." She is resilient, strong, and determined, and I think we can all use a little bit of her spirit.

What was the audition process like?

The audition process for the show was so much fun! I met Josh (Bassett) the first time I went in, and, after our scenes, we sang a super spontaneous cover of "Count on Me" my Bruno Mars. It was the most magical audition!

Do you have a dream role that you’d like to play one day?

Ooh, I’ve always wanted to be part of a musician biopic. Exploring who a musician is and what message they are communicating makes me connect so much more with their work. Music is such an important means of expression, and when you learn why a musician is saying what they’re saying, the music just becomes so much more meaningful to me. As for who I would want to PLAY, I’d say I would love to play Amy Winehouse.

What is the funniest blooper that happened during filming?

I’m not sure if this really counts as a “blooper,” but if anybody ever sees me after a dance number, they will probably think I just finished a marathon. I have no idea why, but I just get so winded.

Thanks, Olivia! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!

[entertainment]

Entertainment Spotlight: Sofia Wylie, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Born in Scottsdale, Arizona, Sofia Wylie, who is trained in ballet, lyrical, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Jazz, started her performance career as a dancer. You may recognize her from her starring role in the popular Disney Channel series Andi Mack (and our past Answer Time and Spotlight with her!). In High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Sofia plays transfer student and ambitious yet entitled theater kid "Gina." Check out her Spotlight:

If you had a catchphrase, what would it be?

Life is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you’re gonna get.

What’s the most memorable thing that happened (so far!) while shooting High School Musical: The Musical: The Series?

Performing at the iconic locations within East High like the auditorium, cafeteria, and gym!!! I’ve grown up watching the original movies so physically being within the place that HSM was shot is surreal.

What’s the funniest photo that you have on your phone right now (either share or describe it)?

This was the cast of HSMTMTS and I at Disneyland. Right before one of the rides they gave us these 3D glasses and OF COURSE we had to have a full photo shoot beforehand. 

Are there any aspects of the original HSM movies that fans can expect to see in the series?

Yes!!! There are many renditions of the original songs that I know the audience will love. They will bring so much nostalgia to those like me who LOVED the HSM soundtrack, but yet they are different and made our own!

What’s your favorite song from the original HSM films?

Fabulous from High School Musical 2. Sharpay was and is my favorite HSM character so of course after watching this scene in the movie, I had to force my sister to video me recreating it over and over and over! It’s crazy that 10 years later, I’m now playing a Gina a very Sharpay 2.0 in High School Musical ; the Musical ; the series!

What’s something about High School Musical: The Musical: The Series that you think will surprise fans?

The fact that the show is so incredibly different than the original movies. The way that the show is shot is in docu-style, which gives off a lot of glee/office vibes. It’s hard to imagine loving a group of characters as much as the world loved the HSM cast, but I promise you, once the world sees how versatile, diverse, and just downright incredible this new characters are, they will fall in love with each of them just as much, if not more.

Describe High School Musical: The Musical: The Series in emojis.

🤩💃🏽😱🎤🤯

What’s the best advice that you’ve ever received?

The best advice I’ve ever received has definitely been given from my parents. They’ve always done their best to instill the characteristics of a genuine person who treats others with love and kindness. To treat people the way I would like to be treated. To always stand up for what I believe in. To know my worst and to never allow anyone to make me feel lesser than. These little pieces of gold are the best things anyone could ever teach me.

Thanks, Sofia! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!

[entertainment]

Entertainment Spotlight: Kate Reinders, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

A stage, film and television actress, Kate Reinders was a series regular on ABC's Work It and Lifetime's Sherri and guest starred on Modern Family and Ugly Betty. Her theatre roles include Broadway productions of Meteor Shower, Something Rotten!, Wicked, Sam Mendes' revival of Gypsy and Beautiful, the Carole King Musical. Her High School Musical: The Musical: The Series character, Miss Jenn, is the school's new high-energy, low-reality drama teacher, who believes musicals can save lives.  She may suffer from serious imposter syndrome, but she would do anything for her students, even if it means fudging a few credits on her C.V.

Describe the role of Miss Jenn in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Miss Jenn is East High’s new drama teacher!  A Salt Lake City native, she has taken a hiatus from her professional acting career to return home and pass on the gift of theater to the next generation of Wildcats.  She is excited to show these kids that theater is so much more than just putting on a show.  It changed her life when she was their age, and she knows it will change them, too. She’s “in the business of saving lives,” one kid at a time.

What is your favorite line of hers (without any spoilers)?

“Give us your tired, your poor, your chosen-last-for-dodgeball. You’re safe here.”

If you had a catchphrase, what would it be?

Trust the process!

Do you have any fun facts about the filming of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series that fans would be surprised to know?

Our kids sing live! And the hamster is real.

What are some themes that the series explores?

Our series is about learning to embrace what makes us all unique, quirky, and different— and finding out that our differences are what make us stronger together. And that sometimes you end up where you didn’t plan to, and that’s where you should be.

Thanks, Kate! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!

[entertainment]

Entertainment Spotlight: Julia Lester, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Los Angeles native Julia Lester has been working professionally since the age of five. Some of her television credits include recurring roles on the comedy Mom, Prince of Peoria, and Mr. Student Body President. She has performed in dozens of local and regional musical productions including Carrie: The Musical and Next to Normal. Lester plays E.J.'s cousin, Ashlyn, an "old soul" who worships Sara Bareilles and is an aspiring songwriter on the sly. Julia took time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions:

Describe the role of Ashlyn in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Ashlyn is a true old soul, hippie at heart with an affinity for crystals and songwriting. She definitely likes to keep herself as a middleman. She wants to be friends with everyone and just wants peace and happiness between all her classmates. Slightly introverted, Ashlyn keeps her talents hidden but is open to learning how to be more confident!

What is your favorite line of hers (without any spoilers)?

My favorite line is “I’m dying. I’m deceased. Yes.”

What’s the most memorable thing that happened (so far!) while shooting High School Musical: The Musical: The Series?

Some of my favorite memories are jamming and singing with the whole cast in between takes. Some people bust out instruments and we all join together and rock out!

Did you keep anything from set (or is there anything from set that you’d like to keep)?

I love getting to keep props from shows! I got a light up “E” for East High, and then I hope to keep some of my character’s crystals. There are also East High Drama shirts we wore and I would love to have a keepsake of one of them!

Have you ever been starstruck? If so, who was it?

I met Danielle Brooks after seeing her perform in The Color Purple on Broadway, and I SOBBED. MY. EYES. OUT. She’s incredible!

Thanks, Julia! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!

[entertainment]

Entertainment Spotlight: Matt Cornett, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Born in Rogers, Arkansas, Matt had a recurring role on Bella and The Bulldogs and guest starred on The Middle, Southland, and Criminal Minds, among others. He plays E.J., Nini's new love interest, the supremely confident son of two corporate lawyers, who secretly battles the pressure of living up to his picture-perfect Instagram account. Co-captain of the water polo team, senior class treasurer, and trust fund baby...it's not a good idea to cross E.J. if you get something he wants — like the lead in the musical. Check out his Spotlight:

Describe the role of E.J. in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

E.J. is Nini’s new boyfriend that she meets at summer camp while taking a break from her old relationship with Ricky. He’s the perfect kid who has everything, raised in wealth and has always gotten what he wants. However, you soon learn that E.J. has a tendency to hide a lot of things about himself, living his life in a metaphorical filter while trying to find out who he really is.

What is your favorite line of his (without any spoilers)?

One of my favorite lines is from the very first episode. And it’s when E.J. says “She thinks I’m a Chad?!” What’s so great about that line is it really truly shows off who E.J. is. He just expects to be playing Troy in the production and when he instead lands the role of Troy’s best friend Chad and sees the outcome of what’s actually happening it really hits him.  He doesn’t really know how to take it. It’s a very humbling moment.

If a theme song played whenever the character that you play entered a room, what song would it be?

That’s a really great question. I think any song that has anything to do feeling overconfident would fit E.J. However, E.J. actually deals with a ton of insecurities and tends to think deep down that he’s not good enough - that he has to put on this facade of being this confident guy. A song that fits perfectly with his inner conflict is “The Way I Am” by Charlie Puth.  This fits so well because it talks about being this person who seems a bit “out there” but if you look underneath the surface, is also a little anxious and insecure.

Do you have a favorite character arc or storyline?

One of my favorite character arcs and storylines is definitely Carlos. I love seeing all of the stuff that he goes through throughout the season. The ups and downs that he faces and the way that he pushes through them is really inspiring.

What inspired you to get into the entertainment industry?

I did theater when I was in middle school, and I fell in love with it instantly. I loved the concept of getting to explore and play so many different characters, create backstories and put your own take on them. My favorite thing is getting to share that love and passion with other people and getting to entertain people with that. I just love making people happy and getting the chance to make people smile and laugh.

Thanks, Matt! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!

[entertainment]

Entertainment Spotlight: Frankie A. Rodriguez,  High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Rodriguez has worked in television and film for the last four years and can be seen in the guest-starring role of Eduardo on ABC's Modern Family. In High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Rodriguez plays Carlos — captain of the color guard and the student choreographer for the show. Carlos thinks of Miss Jenn as a peer.  He eats lunch in her office, has been drinking espresso since the 3rd grade and already has his Tony Awards speech memorized.

Describe the role of Carlos in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Carlos is the student choreographer for their school’s production of “High School Musical.” Broadway is his motivation and Miss Jenn is his BFF. He’s very bold, loves to be creative and has a wicked sense of style.

What is your favorite line of his (without any spoilers)?

“Do you follow Zac [Efron] on Instagram?”

Are there any aspects of the original HSM movies that fans can expect to see in the series?

YES! There are a lot of fun Easter eggs and surprises that fans of the OG High School Musical movies should look out for.

What was the first thing you remember being a fan of?

American Idol! I had to have every CD, poster, and magazine for every season.

What do you geek out about?

I definitely geek out about furniture and house stuff. I like to go on Instagram and look up certain hashtags for inspiration.

Thanks, Frankie! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!