* Concept development: The idea for High School Musical came from producer Don Schain, who wanted to create a modern-day version of Romeo and Juliet set in a high school. He brought the idea to Disney Channel, who greenlit the project in 2005.
* Writing: The screenplay for High School Musical was written by Peter Barsocchini, who had previously written for the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Barsocchini drew inspiration from his own experiences in high school, as well as from classic teen movies like Grease and West Side Story.
* Casting: The casting process for High School Musical was extensive, with over 2,000 actors auditioning for the lead roles. Zac Efron was cast as Troy Bolton,Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella Montez, Corbin Bleu as Chad Danforth, Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie, and Lucas Grabeel as Ryan Evans.
* Music: The songs for High School Musical were written by a team of songwriters, including Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, and Ray Cham. The songs were recorded by the cast members in the studio, and the soundtrack album was released in January 2006.
Production
* Filming: Principal photography for High School Musical began in February 2006 and wrapped in May 2006. The film was shot on location at East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah.
* Choreography: The dance numbers in High School Musical were choreographed by Kenny Ortega, who had previously worked on the films Dirty Dancing and The Cheetah Girls. Ortega taught the cast members intricate dance routines, which they rehearsed for several weeks before filming.
* Post-production: The post-production process for High School Musical included editing, visual effects, and sound mixing. The film was completed in December 2006.
Release
* Theatrical release: High School Musical was released in theaters on January 20, 2006. The film was a box office success, grossing over $252 million worldwide.
* Home media release: High School Musical was released on DVD and Blu-ray on May 23, 2006. The film has sold over 4 million copies on DVD and Blu-ray in the United States.
* Television premiere: High School Musical premiered on Disney Channel on August 17, 2006. The film drew a record-breaking audience of 7.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched Disney Channel movie of all time.
Impact
High School Musical was a critical and commercial success, and it had a significant impact on popular culture. The film launched the careers of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, and it inspired a line of merchandise, video games, and stage productions. High School Musical also sparked a renewed interest in musicals, and it helped to pave the way for other successful Disney Channel musicals, such as Camp Rock and The Cheetah Girls.