Bowling Green High School is soaring and flying into this year’s musical production: High School Musical.
Auditions began the week of November 10th, but even before the auditions, the choir ran into problems: there weren’t enough guys to put on the show, and if they did not find more actors, the show would have to be cancelled. The choir students got their head in the game, promoted the show on social media, and recruited male students to audition.
While it was stressful, Junior Ian Tweedy said, “The choir was ready to do whatever it took to put on a good show.”
The cast list for High School Musical had been highly anticipated since the show was announced last spring. Students put in extra work to make sure they felt prepared for their auditions, so they could bop to the top of the cast list. Ian said he familiarized himself with the content and rehearsed with other people auditioning to gain confidence for the audition.
The audition process was spread across four days. It started with students singing their audition song and running through lines with five other students, and ended with a dance audition where the students were taught a dance number on the spot. The dance segment included all auditioning students.
“It was very nerve wracking, but at the same time, I was super excited because I was surrounded by friends,” Junior Hallie Slocum said.
Tweedy also added that the support of his friends and directors helped to calm him. On November 19th, the cast list was posted outside the office for students to see. Tweedy, who was cast as Troy Bolton, said, “I was surprised! I thought a lot of people were equally as talented or better than I was.” Slocum, meanwhile, broke out in tears upon hearing that she had been cast as Sharpay.
“I am excited to put on a good show and accept the greater responsibilities being a lead takes. I am going to put the story out there,” said Ian. The cast is eager and ready to live up to the hype around High School Musical.
By Maggie Pollard