HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL notes from 3/14/08 meeting

ACT ONE NOTES:

• Boom One: generic drop that will be used in multiple ways;
• Perhaps with the title, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and Judy lights, lots of doors and “Laugh-In” type openings for the Cellular Fusion number, ala Birdie’s Telephone Hour, but updated with movement and fluidity to reflect the 21^st century cell phone culture.
• For opening, a banner that says “Welcome Back Wildcats!” This banner would be velcroed and split when the boom opens.
• We should discuss the Drum Major on a caster unit. The boom structure may not permit this.

Scene 1 East High School Steps SET

p. 1

“Wildcat Cheer”

• Top of the show: Boom One opens to reveal full stage SET. It is made of upstage units/panels that can be changed around for different looks, various groupings, etc. These units must be moved by IA crew. The changes will be done while Booms One or Two are closed, probably NOT a vista.
• Challenge: full stage moments should also have lots of levels.
• NOTE: Cafeteria table units, bleachers, and classroom desk units will be purchased.

Ski Lodge

p. 5

“Start of Something New”

• Unresolved: transformation to Ski Lodge and back to the High School. Perhaps the front doors will spin around to reveal a ski lodge… or signage … ? How can elements be multi-functional?
• Regarding a lighting effect for snow … it will be too light outside at that time. We may look into a low tech snow basket. Again, this sort of thing may not read unless the lights can reflect off the falling flakes. Maybe we do it by having actors with skis entering through the doors.

DJ Booth p.9

• School announcements geeky guy will have his own set up and come out of in One, SL and perhaps SR as well. I am thinking about using a self-propelled table with a skirt (Wildcat mascot), about the size of a xylophone, with a mic, a small xylophone, etc. We should discuss where he comes and goes.

Scene 2 Ms. Darbus’s Homeroom (Drama Classroom)

p.9

• SR, in front of Boom 2
• Maybe we can figure out a way to apply large Comedy and Tragedy masks to the boom that can be replaced with a Chemistry icon to help isolate our locations.
• Homeroom classroom will play with minimal scenery; theater teacher needs an anchor area for her props; a table or desk or “closet” in a boom door that can hide surprise props (collection basket for cell phones).
• HOW MANY TABLE/DESKS? 16-20?

Scene 3 Hallway, played in front of Boom 2, SL

p.12

Bulletin Board

Functioning lockers

DJ Booth p.14, enter from in ONE, DSL if the desks are exiting DSR.

Scene 4 Gym, full SET.

Basket ball hoops.

2or3 rolling Bleachers with brakes. Commercial units.

Wildcate Banners.

“Get Your Head in the Game”

Scene 5 Chemistry Lab Boom 2 SR

p. 20

• Science Lab Minimally, the classroom can be established with a rolling, standup blackboard with mathematic/chemistry equations and notes on it, lab tables, etc.
• Alan’s notes indicate 4 rows of 2 or 3 climbable lab tables with brakes. We should look at the space to determine number of desks, etc. The transitions in and out may become a traffic jam in the wings. Lets talk.
• Giant rolling blackboard, unless it is appliquéd to the boom.
• A table with test tubes, glass beakers, etc. to look like a “giant hamster tube city.”

Transition … Isolated Spots Ryan and Sharpay—Lockers SL Boom 2

DJ Booth p.23, in ONE, DS???

• Functional lockers in the boom. Large enough for Ryan to fit in.

Scene 6 Theatre—full stage or is this the rehearsal room in front of Boom One?

p.24

• Detention
• Ballet bar, costume hamper, rolling ladder.

DJ Booth p.29 Placement depends on in and out of Detention props. OR VO.

Scene 7 Theatre, Full Stage Set. Following Day

p. 29

• Theater space/Auditorium for auditions—still unresolved: stage area? Small proscenium?
• Upright piano
• A-frame ladder
• Cherry picker
• Several rolling bins for softgoods and props
• Electric (must be able to stand on … discuss)
• Several desks?
• Backstage stuff

“Auditions”

“What I’ve Been Looking For”

Scene 8 Various Places—all in front of Boom ONE

p.42

“Cellular Fusion”

• Laugh-in “look”
• Bye Bye Birdie
• Numerous doors and maybe shutter door openings.
• Farce

Scene 9 Cafeteria SET

p.44

“Stick to the Status Quo”

• As Cafeteria tables are set upstage of Boom One, continue the convention of actors moving scenic elements by having a few cafeteria tables moved into position by actors as the Boom opens to reveal the rest of the set pre-set behind the Boom. Need at least 10-12 cafeteria tables, round with attached seats.
• Can there be a line for the basketball court which doubles as the chorus line? Yes but lets discuss.

BOOM 1

INTERMISSION

• Gymnasium SET: full stage units, rolling basketball hoops, or baskets mounted to the backs of two units that can turn around when needed.
• FYI: 60 teen chorus

ACT TWO NOTES:

At Bar 24 of Entr’Acte, we repeat the “Oh” vocals from the end of Act One “Status Quo.” Brainiacs get chased on by Martha, who does some hip hop moves and then chases them DSR. Jocks get chased on by Zeke, who is carrying 2 big trays of cupcakes with bright pink icing. He chases them off DSL. At the end of Entr’Acte, Jack Scott pops up from behind booth, hits xylophone haphazardly, then begins dialogue.

DJ Booth p. 51

Scene 1 Rooftop Garden (Horticulture Club Headquarter) SET

“I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”

• Green house set needed
• Hanging plants
• Potted trees
• Flowers
• One flower pot needs removable flower
• Need to indicate SET as on top of 2 or 3^rd story.

Scene 2 Hallway Sharpay’s Lockers played in front of Boom 2

p. 55

Scene 3 Study Hall (Library Stacks) BOOM 2

p. 56

• Desks for classroom and long tables for Study Hall can be actor carried and placed; simple bookcase units will suggest library and also be actor motivated.
• 6-8 Book units
• 2-4 long rectangular tables casters and brakes.
• (we should discuss these numbers in terms of traffic in and out.)

Transition “Wildcat Cheer (Reprise)”

THIS IS LIZA’S

Scene 4 Gym SET, full stage with baskets, perhaps mounted to backs of upstage units

• BLEACHERS
• Nets and banners
• Jocks running basketball drills

p.59

Scene 5 Locker Room SL/ Lab SR in front of Boom 2

p. 64

“Counting on You” (Alan/Liza?)

• Close Boom 2 for Locker Room scene, SL and Science Lab, SR
• Boom Two: design idea for split artwork; SR representing interior classroom/homeroom/science lab, SL side representing lockers, moving off from center area of boom representing hallway interior of school with signage, bulletin board, call board, maybe vending machines, etc.
• SL side of Boom 2, Locker Room: perhaps sliders used for interest here; must check to insure that sliders can be used smoothly. Benches needed. Gym Locker room lockers should have a specific look, to distinguish them from the other hallway, school lockers.
• Concept – Mirror imaging scenes and focusing the parallels for visual point of view.
• Sense of claustrophobia and stalking of Troy & Gabriella
• Like cats being run up a tree
• Brainiacs use books, posterboards, as props
• Jocks use towels, posterboards as props
• Need to take pics of Troy and Coach to blow up for large format graphics
• Need to figure out a clever way of displaying photos for an audience of 12,000. Maybe Liza’s idea of flip cards which create large images. Discuss.
• At the end of the number Troy needs to be on bench and Gabriella on top of lab table.

Scene 6 Isolated Spaces—where to be played? In front of Boom One?

p. 69

“When There Was Me and You”

Scene 7 Rehearsal Room—in front of Boom One, ballet barre, rolling costume rack, upright piano and bench, minimal

Doorways through boom one.

p. 71

Boom Box Dance

Scene 8 Theatre SET—open boom to reveal theater space set

p. 74

Juliet and Romeo set and balcony

“Start of Something New (Reprise)”

Scene 9 Study Hall (Library Stacks) to be played in front of Boom One with rolling tables and bookcases that can be actor motivated and moved.

DJ Booth (IS THIS A VO?) This establishes locations. Jocks on benches SL, Science Competition SR with lab tables, Boom One opens on a the theatre.

p.77

“We’re All in This Together”

Scene 10 Lab / Theatre / Locker Room & Gym—Note above with Gym set upstage area

p.83

“Bop to the Top”

“Breaking Free”

• DS desks and benches will be easy to strike as scene moves into full stage and theater space
• Then Theatre units pull away to reveal Gym

Scene 11 Gym SET—all theatre goes away a vista to reveal Gym

p.95

“We’re All in This Together (Reprise)”

“High School Musical Megamix”

• Challenge: fluid transformation from theater space to gym a vista
• NOTE FROM COSTUMES: School colors: red and white