The lead stars characters in the movie High School Musical is Troy Bolton, East High's star athlete and Gabriela Montez, the Math Whiz who just transferred to East High. At first look, the characters can not be any more different from each other. Bolton, played by teen heartthrob Zac Efron is the basketball team's captain and is one of the most popular personalities in school. He is well loved and is expected to lead his team- the East High Wildcats to victory in the basketball championships.
On other hand Gabriela Montes, played by eighteen year old Vanessa Ann Hudgens, is a Math whiz and is the new girl in school. She sees this as the perfect opportunity to try new things and not just focus on Math which has always been her greatest strength.
The two characters meet during winter break without realizing they will end up being schoolmates when classes resume. The two were forced to sing together during karaoke night at a ski resort and that's when they realize they both enjoy singing.
When they audition for East High's Winter Musical- Twinkle Town they end up being called back for the final auditions for the lead roles against the siblings Sharpay and Ryan Evans. The two teens have always starred in the school's productions.
Sharpay Evans is the school's drama queen. Played by Ashley Tisdale, the Disney star who also has a regular role in the popular TV shoe The Suite Life of Zach & Cody, Sharpay is unhappy that she might end up playing understudy for the lead role to the new girl Gabriela.
Sharpay's talented brother Ryan is played by Lucas Grabeel. He helps his sister work out schemes to prevent the jock Troy Bolton and Math whiz Gabriela from landing the lead roles in Twinkle Town.
Sharpay and Ryan also stage elaborate performances that really make their drama teacher Ms. Darbus proud. Add to this the fact that Ms. Darbus is cautious about the real intentions Troy for auditioning.
Troy has a best friend named Chad played by Corbin Bleu. Corbin is also a Disney star who has starred in his own movie about jump rope teams- Jump In!. Gabriela on the other hand finds a dependable friend in Taylor McKessie played by actress Monique Coleman.
Another character that plays an important role in Troy and Gabriela landing the much coveted lead roles in Twinkle Town is song-writer & pianist Kelsi Nielsen. Kelsi created all the music for the musical and helps Troy and Gabriela practice the songs. Kelsi Nielsen is played by actress Olesya Rulin.
Other characters in the movie are: Zeke, the pastry-making basketball player played by Chris Warren Jr.; Coach Jack Bolton, Troy Bolton's father and the coach of the basketball team played by Bart Johnson; Jason, a basketball player played by Ryne Sanborn; Mrs. Montez played by Socorro Herrera; Principal Matsi played by Joey Miyashima; and other supporting casts.