High School Musical

‘Bop to the Top’ with High School Musical 

Camilla Fiorini, Director of Marketing and Development 

This year's Senior School production, featuring the contemporary classic High School Musical, was a resounding success. Open to all students from Years 7 to 12, the production brought together a talented cast and crew for months of rehearsals, culminating in three exhilarating nights of performance.

The support of the whole school community resulted in two sold-out Friday and Saturday night performances, showcasing the widespread anticipation for this production.

We enjoyed a wonderful performance from Jack Campbell-Manly as the super jock, Troy Bolton, while Maya Wimalasundera impressed as the brainiac Gabriella Montez. Their connection was moving and authentic as they poignantly performed duets like ‘Start of Something New’, and ‘I Can’t Take My Eyes of You’.

Avah Quinn, in her role as the spiteful Sharpay Evans, and Elijah Slavinskis as her reluctant sidekick, offered wonderful comic relief throughout the show, along with some suspect and frenetic dance moves. 

Troy’s right-hand, the jock Chad, was brought to life as a warm and likeable character by Sinclair McClimont’s enthusiastic performance. Moreover, Lila McMahon-Johnson, as the abrasive and intellectual Taylor McKessie, and Hayley Knowles, as the shy and creative Kelsi Neilson, also hit the mark beautifully.

However, perhaps it was Josh Tighe's portrayal of Mr Darbus, the pompous and passionate drama teacher, that stole the spotlight. He delivered a captivating performance of the teacher who was enraged by the lack of respect afforded to the ‘Arts’, and the overabundance of budget and glory heaped on the Sports Department.

Iconic songs like ‘When There was Me and You’, ‘Breaking Free’ and the finale ‘We’re All in this Together’ had parents with young adults tapping and clapping along, in memory of watching High School Musical 1-3 on repeat. 

Congratulations to the Performing Arts Department for their enormous effort in putting on shows like this for our students and the wider community. 

Well done to the entire cast and crew who worked tirelessly to deliver a memorable experience to audiences over the three nights. And a big shout out to all the volunteers who helped with sets, hair and make-up, catering and refreshments. Dare it be said, ‘We’re All in this Together!’