A show/ character guide for Disney+’s “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” featuring who plays who, character descriptions, storylines, and general information.
Information is updated as new episodes are released and watched, and images are changed as better ones are captured.
General Information About High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Groups & Organizations
- University Clowns (3.2): The group Marvin, Dana, and Carol were in together before Nini was born
Notable Locations
- East High: The school everyone goes to which hosted the High School Musical movie and whose mascot is actually a leopard and not a wildcat.
- Salt Lake City, Utah: Where the show takes place
- Salt Lake Slices Pizzeria: Big Red’s family’s pizzeria that has had five assistant managers in the least three months.
- North High: East High’s rival school
- Camp Shallow Lake (3.1): A camp in California where a notable of the cast goes for the summer
- Founders (3.3): Susan and John Fine, around 200 years ago
Other Noteworthy Information
- Casting For Frozen (3.3): Kourtney is Elsa, Gina is Anna, Carlos is Olaf, Ricky is Christof, Ashlyn is part of the ensemble, and EJ is Sven
- Maddox is the Stage Manager
Olivia Rodrigo Plays Nini Salazar-Roberts
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 1 “The Audition”
While she can be seen as reserved, if not quiet, Nini has long dreamed to be at the front of center stage and take on the lead role in a musical. Which, with Ms. Jenn putting on a production of High School Musical, and Nini having the support of new boyfriend EJ, she thinks this might be the start of something new.
Additional Information About Nini
- Is playing Gabriella in High School Musical
- 1.5: Kourtney makes it appear, since middle school, Nini has often seen herself through her boyfriends’ eyes and has wrapped her identity in them.
- 1.5: Is 16 years old.
- 1.8: Her real name is Nina but since Ricky couldn’t pronounce that, he called her Nini and is stuck.
- 2.8: She and Ricky were each other’s first kiss
Quotes and Gifs
Am I something to you and not someone.
— Nini (2.6)
Joshua Bassett Plays Ricky
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 1 “The Audition”
Nini’s ex who, when she told him, in a grandiose style, she loved him, he decided to have them take a break, which she took as a break-up. Now, with Nini moving on, he decides to go against his dislike for musicals to try to win her back.
Additional Information About Ricky
- His parents are having marital problems and have been for who knows how long. Thus explaining why Nini speaking of love may have freaked Ricky out.
- Is playing Troy in High School Musical.
- 1.8: His real name is Richard but Nini gave him the nickname Ricky.
- Age (3.8): Turned 18
Kate Reinders Plays Miss Jenn
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 1 “The Audition”
A former Broadway talent who is a huge High School Musical fan and with her needing a day job, she decides to become a drama teacher. One which, for her first production, she plans to stage High School Musical at the place it was recorded, for the first time!
Additional Information About Miss Jenn
- Was an extra, not featured dancer, on the original High School Musical movie – she tried to make her resume more attractive.
- 1.4: Her parents divorced when she was 14.
Quotes
Sometimes, the really good stuff begins only when something else ends.
— Miss Jenn (3.8)
Mark St. Cyr Plays Mr. Benjamin Mazzara
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 1 “The Audition”
The S.T.E.M teacher who isn’t too fond of the arts. At least in terms of pushing kids towards them as a career instead of a hobby.
Additional Information About Mr. Mazzara
Frankie A. Rodriguez Plays Carlos
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 1 “The Audition”
Miss Jenn’s right hand and a huge gossip who keeps her in the know of who is who and other people’s business.
Additional Information About Carlos
- 1.5: Has mutual feelings for Seb and made the first move.
- Background (2.1): Is Mexican
- Sisters (2.4): Has at least two sisters
- Age (2.5): Turns 16
Sofia Wylie Plays Gina Porter
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 1 “The Audition”
A transfer student who is used to being the lead due to her singing and dancing talent. Which makes her being an understudy for the first time not only a shock and insulting but a bit devastating as well.
Additional Information About Gina
- Is Nini’s understudy for Gabriella.
- 1.5: Has gone to 5 schools in 7 years.
- 2.8: She crochets in her spare time
- 3.4: She is going to be a junior in the fall
Quote(s) and .Gifs
I don’t do anything right the first time. My thing is that I just keep pushing, and I never quit.
— Gina (2.6)
It’s not even a fight. It’s a one-sided confusion.
— Gina (3.5)
Matt Cornett Plays EJ Caswell
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 1 “The Audition”
On top of being Nini’s new boyfriend, he is a senior, the class president for his year, and captain of the water polo team.
Additional Information About EJ
- Has been in theater for three years.
- Is playing Chad in High School Musical.
- 1.4: Has the unfortunate habit of doing bad things in order to support people he likes. For example, he poisoned a girl at camp so Nini could get the lead role.
- 1.6: Has a 4.3 GPA
- Legacy Kid (2.4): EJ’s grandfather and parents went to Duke University
- What Does EJ Stand For? (3.5): Elton John
Dara Renee Plays Kourtney
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 1 “The Audition”
Nini’s friend who always has her back and is a staunch feminist.
Additional Information About Kourtney
- 1.4: Handles costumes for the musical.
- Favorite Movie (3.4): Camp Rock
Ashlyn (Julia Lester)
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 2 “The Read-Thru”
Ashlyn is EJ’s cousin who is a talented singer/ songwriter and doesn’t put up with EJ’s ego or insecurities.
Additional Information About Ashlyn
- Has AP classes
- Harry Potter House (3.3): Ravenclaw
- Personality Type (3.3): ENFP
- American Girl Type (3.3): Samantha
- Background (3.6): Ashlyn in Jewish
- Sexuality (3.6): Comes out as bi
Seb (Joe Serafini)
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 2 “The Read-Thru”
The son of farmers, Seb has a huge love for musical theater and will be playing Sharpay in Miss Jenn’s High School Musical production.
Additional Information About Seb
- Age (2.5): Is younger than Carlos
Big Red (Larry Saperstein)
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 2 “The Read-Thru”
Ricky’s best friend who isn’t a strong reader but is the best friend a person can ask for.
Additional Information About Red
- 1.4: Has sleep apnea
- 1.10: Reveals himself to be a good tap dancer.
- 1.10: Revealed that he is Big Red III
- What Is Red Short For (2.5): Redonovich
- Nickname (2.5): Oregano Origami
- 3.8: Has been with Ricky for every birthday since they were in pre-school
- Reveals he is bi
Carol (Nicole Sullivan)
Carol (Nicole Sullivan)
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 4 “Blocking”
One of Nini’s moms.
Additional Information About
Lynne (Beth Lacke)
Lynne (Beth Lacke)
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 4 “Blocking”
Ricky’s mother who is divorcing his dad and relocating to Chicago.
Additional Information About Lynne
Michael “Mike” Bowen (Alex Quijano)
Mike (Alex Quijano)
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 4 “Blocking”
Ricky’s custodial parent who was hoping to reconcile with his mother, but that didn’t come to pass.
Additional Information About Mike
Principal Gutierrez (Valente Rodriguez)
Principal Gutierrez (Valente Rodriguez)
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 6 “What Team?”
The principal of East Side High School who doesn’t really get Miss Jenn but writes it off as her being an arts person so, naturally, he finds her weird.
Additional Information About Principal Gutierrez
Terri (Napiera Groves)
Gina and Terri (Napiera Groves)
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 7 “Thanksgiving”
Gina’s mom who works for FEMA, hence why she and Gina move so often.
Additional Information About Terri
- Is a single parent.
- New Job (2.6): Is working in Louisiana
Malou aka Lola (Jeanne Sakata)
Malou (Jeanne Sakata)
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1, Episode 7 “Thanksgiving”
Nini’s Chinese grandmother who Nini is close to.
Additional Information About Malou aka Lola
Dana (Michelle Noh)
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1 Episode 9 “Opening Night”
Nini’s other mom, and likely her biological one.
Additional Information About Dana
Kalyani Patel (Deepti Gupta)
Character Introduction
First Noted In: Season 1 Episode 9 “Opening Night”
The dean from the Youth Actors Conservatory.
Additional Information About Kalyani
Zackey Roy (Derek Hough)
Ms. Jenn’s ex who surpassed her by going to NYU Tisch and even being on Broadway, specifically acting in the Little Mermaid. Currently, however, he is the theater teacher for North High.
Additional Information
- Introduced In Season 2 Episode 1
Quotes & Gifs
Lily (Olivia Rose Keegan)
One of the new kids at East High who, due to having a theater background, sees everyone else who auditions for the Spring musical as an amateur.
Additional Information
- Introduced In Season 2 Episode 2
Quotes & Gifs
Emily (Addison Morgan)
Emily (Addison Morgan) practicing a scene with Nini
Emily was Nini’s rival at theater camp, but now is her roommate at the Actors Conservatory, and it seems being that has hurt Emily’s spirit a bit.
Additional Information
- Introduced In Season 2 Episode 2
Quotes & Gifs
Howie (Roman Banks)
One of the drivers of Salt Lake Slices who gives Kourtney a hard time when she gets hired.
Additional Information
- Introduced In Season 2, Episode 3
- Harry Potter (2.6): Is a big Harry Potter fan
Quotes & Gifs
Antoine (Andrew Barth Feldman)
A French exchange student who plays Lumiere in North High’s rendition of Beauty and the Beast.
Additional Information
- Introduced In Season 2, Episode 6
- Side-Gig (2.7): Does DJ on the side
Quotes & Gifs
Jack (Asher Angel)
A son of a pilot on his way to Miami, who chats up Gina while she is stuck at the airport.
Additional Information
- Introduced In Season 2, Episode 9
- Hometown (2.9): Denver
- Fun Facts (2.9): Is an Arianna Grande fan and scared of butterflies
Quotes & Gifs
Jamie (Jordan Fisher)
Gina’s older brother who is a music producer.
Additional Information
- Introduced In Season 2, Episode 11
Quotes & Gifs
Jet (Adrian Lyles)
Jet is an aloof kid who has no desire to really get close to anyone
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 3/ Episode 1
- Background (3.3): Raised himself on YouTube, is a self-taught piano player, but also had a music teacher who pushed him
- The Bad Boy (3.5): He got expelled from school, outed Maddox, and didn’t show up to her 15th birthday party
Quotes & Gifs
- AAD (3.3): All Adults Disappoint
Maddox (Saylor Bell Curda)
Nicknamed Gadget, Maddox is one of the staff members of Camp Shallow Lake
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 3/ Episode 1
- Sibling (3.3): Jet is her sibling, but it isn’t detailed whether it is biological, adopted, through foster parents, or just growing up with one another
- Special Friend (3.4): Madison, a girl Maddox used to butt heads with all the time, she is now estranged from, despite potentially being in a relationship with them at one time
Quotes & Gifs
Corbin Bleu
Corbin Bleu plays a heightened version of himself that is hosting a meta show about Camp Shallow Lake putting on a production of “Frozen.”
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 3/ Episode 1
Quotes & Gifs
Dewey Wood (Jason Earles)
Dewey is the camp director at Camp Shallow Lake.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 3/ Episode 1
Quotes & Gifs
Marvin (Jesse Tyler Ferguson)
Marvin is the sperm donor who allowed Nini to be, who is not very much like his biological daughter. His favorite color is green, hers is Black, he likes sports and Nini doesn’t that much. However, both do enjoy music, and Marvin reveals that with Nini’s moms, he was formerly in a band.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 3/ Episode 2 “Into The Unknown”
Quotes
Val (Meg Donnelly)
Val is a Camp Shallow Lake alumni (8 years running), who is currently a counselor in training (CIT). She also is someone who switched from musical theater to psychology thanks to her college experience.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 3/ Episode 2 “Into The Unknown”
Quotes
Alex (Aria Brooks)
An extroverted 8th going on 9th grader who is a fan of Gina.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 3/ Episode 2 “Into The Unknown”
Quotes
Emmy (Liamani Segura)
An introverted 8th going on 9th grader who is a fan of Gina.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 3/ Episode 2 “Into The Unknown”
Quotes
Michelle (Kimberly A. Brooks)
Michelle is Kourtney’s mom.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 3/ Episode 4 “No Drama”
Quotes & Gifs
Channing (Ben Stillwell)
Channing is Corbin’s cameraman who isn’t above finding and exploiting teenaged drama for a hit show.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 3/ Episode 4 “No Drama”
- Education and Experience (3.4): Has four years in the business and went to Tisch at NYU for undergrad
Quotes & Gifs
Madison (Jojo Siwa)
Madison is Maddox’s ex, who she has a complicated relationship due to Maddox getting clingy in the past.
Additional Information
- Introduced In: Season 3/ Episode 7 “Camp Prom”
Quotes & Gifs
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