"High School Musical" was a Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) released in 2006 by Disney that has become its most successful DCOM to date. Reminiscent of "Grease" and "West Side Story," "High School Musical" is a traditional love story set in a modern-day high school. The two main characters incur trouble from peers when they try out for their school play, but bring friends from various groups together in the end to realize that cliques are disadvantageous. Two sequels have since been produced and the movie franchise remains popular with children and teens.
If you are a parent to a pre-teen, chances are good that you have already been asked to host a "High School Musical" party at your house. Whether your child wants to celebrate a birthday or just have a few girls over for a sleepover, you can create a "High School Musical" theme with party plates, napkins, cups, streamers and invitations. Plan a movie marathon night where the invitees can watch all three movies. Take a break in between to eat and stage a talent show where guests perform a song, dance, recite a poem or act in a scene together.
Younger children may enjoy coloring their favorite characters from "High School Musical," "High School Musical 2" and "High School Musical 3." Free online printables allow younger children to color characters like Vanessa, Gabriella, Troy and the movie logos. Plan a night with younger children where you watch one of the movies together, color pictures during or after, and discuss themes that the movie raised like cliques, friendship and romance.
The popular "High School Musical" franchise spawned an equally popular play when it released a play in 2007 called "High School Musical on Stage!" with lyrics by Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, Ray and Greg Charm and many more. Time Magazine reported in 2008 that the play had become a popular production for high schools across the nation. One act editions for middle schools and two act editions for high schools are available from Disney. If you or your child is interested in performing the play, talk to your school's drama department about planning the production, which will involve licensing it from Disney.