Artista Academy to present High School Musical

The first high school age group of actors created by Artista Academy will present High School Musical as their first production.

Called Lumina, the group was created in 2025 as a natural extension of Artista Academy’s program which features local children.

Founder and artistic director of Lumina, Gabriela Gallo, said their program has included kids from Grade 2 to Grade 8. That young talent would say goodbye as their high school careers began.

“I just thought to myself, “Why am I saying goodbye to these kids, when I don’t have to and we can continue to build off the skills they’ve already learned with me,” she said.

An experience teaching high school students in London, England cemented the idea in her mind.

And while watching their confidence build has been rewarding, Gallo said the experience started off as an amazing one right at the very beginning, as they showed up to audition.

“It takes a lot for me to be gob smacked and I really truly was because these kids, in what would be seen to others as a competitive environment with auditions, and they want the roles, the way that they cheered each other on and built each other up was… honestly I get chills just thinking about it,” she said. “It was amazing to just watch the way that they made every person feel so supported and encouraged and just feel like a million bucks through the audition process.”

Gallo said it’s been exciting to watch the young actors grow and watch herself grow as well as she met the challenges.

Artista Academy operates on three pillars pledging to develop confidence, creativity and community.

The latter is exemplified in the return of the Chairs for Charity initiative.

Theatre goers can choose to pay for a $30 ticket, instead of the regular $15, and all proceeds go to a local charity.

“The students got to brainstorm and come up with a list of possible charities and then we all voted,” she said, adding Southeast Cancer Support Services won the vote. “I just think it’s such a great way for people to come and enjoy the show, support these kids, and for the kids to also feel they are supporting their community and giving back to those people that are supporting them.”

High School Musical, released by Disney in 2006, has everything Gallo said she looks for. It offers lots of singing, dancing, parts and big numbers with a chorus.

The 40 students will all perform in all shows, but two casts will take part. Those that have the lead roles one day will be in the chorus the next, giving them the opportunity to double the lead characters and give more students that experience.

“I thought it was just a great start for the Lumina program with catchy music and lots of energy,” Gallo said.

The synopsis is simple:

“Troy Bolton, the star athlete at a small-town high school, falls for a nerdy beauty Gabriella Montez at a holiday karaoke party. When they return to campus. Troy and Gabriella audition for the upcoming school musical. Meanwhile, the jealous Sharpay and her twin brother Ryan conspire to squelch their chances. The two must struggle to make it to auditions while also meeting their existing obligations to the basketball team and the academic decathlon.”

Gallo said this is a show the community does not want to miss.

“It’s never been seen in this community, this level of dedication and skill from these teenagers who are working so hard to put on a fantastic show for their community,” she said.

The actors agreed, saying they relish their roles.

Gemma Dyck plays Ryan, the twin brother of Sharpay.

Playing a male character is a challenge for Gemma, but one she says is enjoyable.

“It’s kind of hard for me to be that cheesy, goofy guy as a girl,” she said. “It’s really fun though.”

Annabelle Rozenhnal plays Sharpay.

Not her first time playing the main antagonist, (she was Scar in a production of Lion King) it remains a challenge.

“It’s really stepping out of myself,” she said. “I get to do a lot of things I would never normally do and experience being a completely different person.”

Lexie Ontong plays Gabriella, and it’s a new challenge as well.

“This is the first time I’ve played a love interest before and it’s quite fun honestly,” she said.

She said guests will have a great time.

“They’re definitely going to feel quite joyful because of all the fun we have on stage and how passionate we are.”

Liam Drieger plays Troy, and he admits the role is closer to his real-life persona than many others.

“Troy is supposed to be like a confident, cocky, just kind of average high school jock, basically,” he said.

Lumina will take the stage for two shows each on Feb. 7 and Feb. 8.

To learn more or to buy tickets go to ArtistaAcademy.ca.