Lauren Estes-Velez

Hartselle Enquirer
The Hartselle Junior High drama department’s spring play for 2018 will be a Disney tribute. Students will be performing “High School Musical.”

The show will be staged at the Hartselle High School Auditorium Feb. 15-17 at 7 p.m. and also Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.

Davis Bates, who is playing Troy said he grew up watching Disney movies and is excited to play a character that he grew up watching on television.

“In my head I just keep thinking, ‘Wow, I get to be him, I get to be that guy now,’ and I just think that’s really cool,” Bates said. “Doing theater makes me feel like I can truly be myself, even though I’m playing someone else. Being onstage playing a part gives me more confidence than anything else.

“I’ve been doing shows since eighth grade, and my first show was ‘Beauty and the Beast,’” Bates said. “I just auditioned for it because some friends finally convinced me to, and I’ve been coming back ever since.

“Troy Bolton is captain of East High’s basketball team and the most popular student at the school. He meets Gabriella Montez at a ski lodge on New Year’s Eve, and they sing together during karaoke. Troy develops an interest in singing and becomes torn between playing basketball and performing. I can relate to Troy because I have also had to figure out ways to balance performing and playing soccer.”
Hartselle’s Becca Faulk is playing lead Gabriella and said she got involved in theater in second grade and hasn’t missed a show since.
“I’ve loved Disney since I was a little kid, and I was obsessed with the movies when they came out, so just being in this production is exciting,” Faulk said. “Gabriella is the new girl to her school. She’s very smart but wants to keep a low profile at her new school. She’s very shy and avoids attention, but she grows into herself throughout the show.”

Emma Bennich calls Sharpay the lead “mean” role and said she is excited to play this type of character because it’s very freeing and honest.

“Theater is a place that I feel like I can really express myself. I feel free when I’m on the stage,” Bennich said. “My dad did plays growing up, and when I was old enough that I could remember short lines and stuff, I started doing them with him, but I’ve performed on stages since I was 2 years old.

“I’m such a huge Disney fan, and one of my favorite memories from when I was young was when my six closest friends came over to my house to watch the premiere of HSM,” Bennich said. “I just remember being so obsessed with it after that.

“In most of the shows I’ve been in, I have been one of the antagonists. They are so fun to play because you can just scream and let all of your meanness out. I love strutting my stuff and being the star.”

Jacob Garrison plays Chad. He said he got into theater his freshman year after a request from dram instructor Lisa King to participate.

“I play Chad Danforth, and we’re very different,” Garrison said. “He only plays basketball and doesn’t focus in class. He spends all his time thinking about and playing basketball. But it’s fun to expand my horizons as an actor and a person. You should do what you’re passionate about. Chad is passionate about basketball, so that’s what he does, but not everyone has the same niche. We all enjoy different things that all deserve respect.”

Abbie Drake was cast as Taylor for High School musical and said she enjoys acting because she gets to connect to the audience.

“I took Mrs. King’s drama class in junior high, and I loved being able to be a different person on stage, since I am a very shy person,” Drake said. “I love being able to be whoever I want on the stage and really connect with the audience to make them feel the same things your character feels.

“Taylor is a confident, smart student. I love being able to play her because she is so outspoken about how she feels, which is the complete opposite of me. She helps me see things in a different way than I normally would.

“Taylor also learns the hard lesson of being loyal to your friends. That has really taught me that we all can count on our friends.

“I hope that the audience takes away that you should try new things, and don’t be afraid to break out of social boundaries,” Drake added. “Do what you love and don’t care what other people think. To me the show is really about working together and accepting others, I really hope the audience sees the same thing.”

Kelsi is portrayed by Kalin Sharp, who said she can easily relate to her character.

“I chose theater because it gives me the opportunity to be someone else. I got involved through school theater from a very young age and church plays, and I have been acting since the first grade,” Sharp said. “Kelsi is a very shy, awkward composer who tends to spend most of her time in the background and just accepts Sharpay’s snottiness until her turning point, when she finally begins to stand up for herself. I like playing Kelsi because I relate very easily to her. She’s a lot like me.”

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Contact King at 256-612-1208 or at lisa.king@hartselletigers.org for tickets. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.