Wildcats Week: The Making of a Musical in 5 Days
Ever wondered what it takes to put on a full-scale production in just one week? Welcome to our behind-the-scenes diary of High School Musical: Musical in a Week!
Each day we’ll be sharing a glimpse into the rehearsal room, giving you updates on what our talented students have been working on as they bring the show to life. Check back daily to follow the journey from first warm-up to final curtain call.
Friday – SHOW DAY!!!! We’re All in This Together
Show day has arrived!
Excitement levels were sky-high as the cast and creative team gathered at Brockenhurst Village Hall this morning. The hall quickly transformed into East High, with the team arriving early to set up staging, lighting, sound, and props ready for the big performance.
The students are buzzing with energy — pompoms, basketballs and all — but also showed incredible focus as they polish their lines, songs, and choreography one final time. The morning began with a technical run to make sure that the lighting and sound were spot on, followed by a full dress rehearsal this afternoon. Seeing the entire cast in costume together on the stage has brought a new spark of magic to the production.
At 4.30pm, the curtain goes up and our Wildcats will take to the stage to perform High School Musical JR. in front of friends and family. It promises to be a celebration not only of their talent, but also of their teamwork, resilience, and the friendships formed over an intense but joyful week.
We couldn’t be prouder of everything the students have achieved. From the very first warm-up on Monday to today’s final bows, their hard work and enthusiasm have been nothing short of inspiring. This week has truly shown that we’re all in this together.
Thursday – Bop to the Top!
With just one day to go before the big performance, today was all about polishing and perfecting.
The cast began the morning by adding the finishing touches to the show, including rehearsing the number for their final bows. They then launched into a full run-through of every scene, script, and song before breaking for lunch — a real milestone in the rehearsal process.
The afternoon saw the first full dress rehearsal, with costumes and staging bringing the world of East High vividly to life. Miss Kayleigh, Miss Amber, and Ben were all on hand throughout the day, guiding, supporting, and encouraging the students as they worked through the show.
It was fantastic to see how much confidence has grown in just a few days. From basketball players to cheerleaders, teachers to drama club kids, every cast member is embracing their role and the East High spirit. The excitement for tomorrow’s performance is stronger than ever!
Wednesday – Stick to the Status Quo
Day Three and our Wildcats are really finding their stride!
The morning saw more work on dances and songs, including the addition of a basketball routine that had the studio buzzing. At the same time, lots of detailed script work took place, with students really starting to develop their characters and bring East High’s story to life.
As rehearsals continued, the cast began to pull the different elements together — songs, choreography, and dialogue all weaving into a fuller picture of the show. And to add to the excitement, today was the very first time the entire cast tried on their costumes together. Cheerleaders, basketball players, teachers and more — it was a glimpse of how fantastic Friday’s performance is going to look.
The production is moving from pieces to a whole, and it’s wonderful to see the talent and teamwork of our students shining through.
Tuesday – Get’cha Head in the Game
Day Two was all about focus, teamwork, and building on the strong start from yesterday.
After their usual warm-up (complete with games to get both voices and bodies moving), the students recapped some of the key dances and songs they’d already learned. Confidence was growing fast, and it was fantastic to see how much they had remembered from Day One.
The morning then split into groups: lead actors began staging some of their main scenes, while others dived into rehearsing dance routines, prop-making, and even a little scenic crafting to bring East High to life.
Later, rehearsals turned to learning more of the show’s big songs. Smaller groups worked separately on solos and featured numbers, while the ensemble kept polishing their chorus material. By the end of the day, the cast had taken big steps forward with both their acting and their staging.
It’s safe to say our Wildcats are definitely getting their heads in the game!
Monday – Day One: The Start of something new!
Our week kicked off with a big group warm-up to shake off the nerves and get everyone ready for the exciting days ahead.
Next came auditions — completely relaxed and optional, but full of energy and fun. Students sang either solo or in groups, and it was brilliant to see so much enthusiasm shining through. From there, Miss Amber and the creative team set the casting, choosing our leads, ensemble, soloists, backstage helpers and even dance and singing leaders.
Costumes were allocated — from cheerleaders and basketball players to teachers and more — before the afternoon ramped up with rehearsals of two of the show’s biggest numbers. Singing, dancing, friendship and so much passion filled the studio, and it’s safe to say High School Musical fever has well and truly begun!
