When I first saw High School Musical in 2006, I promised myself that someday (when the show was turned into a stage production) I would audition for the role of Sharpay. I had no idea that a year later the Disney Channel Original Movie would be turned into a full musical and a theatre not far from my hometown would secure the first rights to the show in Maine.

I auditioned to play Sharpay Evans in the Maine Premiere of High School Musical at Community Little Theatre in Auburn. Sharpay is the over-confident and evil twin sister of Ryan Evans. In the movie, the pair was known for their synchronized musical numbers and flashy outfits. After a two-step audition process I waited anxiously for the cast list to be announced. When I finally read my name next to Sharpay Evans on the theatre's website, I sprinted around my neighborhood, completely unable to control my excitement.

Over the next few months I made incredible friends that I still connect with today and danced, sang, and acted my way through the most fun theatre experience of my life. To be honest, I haven't auditioned for any other major roles since then because I'm afraid I peaked at 17! (Although if I could find a stage production of 'Legally Blonde', I'd be there auditioning for Elle Woods ASAP.)

So, here are some slightly embarrassing photos and videos of myself as Sharpay along with my castmates. It's been 10 years since the original High School Musical came out on Disney Channel and 9 years since I auditioned for the live production. I miss these days!

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My co-star Michael Weber played my twin brother Ryan Evans and I think we pulled it off pretty well/ We both lightened our hair for the roles so we'd mimic the blonde locks of the actual characters, pictured below.

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Before we took the stage, Michael and I got pumped up by running some of our lines to each other and locking fingers so we could focus on being completely in sync with our choreography. The moments before taking the stage can be super intense!

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This was 2007 and if you can believe it, cell phones with HD video cameras weren't really a thing. I have a few video clips of our performances and rehearsals. This video shows the first time the full cast got together to rehearse the final number of the show with original movie choreography. If you can't tell (because this was before my hair was blonde) I'm in the right front in the white shirt and super trendy ripped flare jeans.

 

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