SALT LAKE CITY, UT. (Top40 Charts/ Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) - Principal photography kicks off May 3 on Walt Disney Pictures' upcoming theatrical production 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year.' The all-new feature film will be shot on location in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is set for release in theaters October 24, 2008. Walt Disney Studios Motion
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Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman return to the roles they created in the international smash hit 'High School Musical' and the record-breaking 'High School Musical 2.' Kenny Ortega, who helmed the first two films for Disney Channel, once again directs, adding new duties as executive producer. 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year' is produced by Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush; Don Schain serves as co-producer. Peter Barsocchini, veteran HSM writer, penned the screenplay.
'High School Musical 3: Senior Year' finds high school seniors Troy and Gabriella facing the prospect of separation as they head off to different colleges. Joined by the rest of the Wildcats, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about the future. With incredible new music and exciting dance numbers designed to take maximum advantage of the big screen, this motion picture extravaganza delivers plenty of high-energy entertainment from East High's talented ensemble.
A trio of new stars joins the original cast in 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year' as sophomore Wildcats at East High. An international casting search involving more than 1000 teen actors across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom led to the casting of three rising young talents: Matt Prokop as 'Jimmie 'the Rocket' Zara' ('Hannah Montana,' 'The Office'); Justin Martin as 'Donny Dion' (TV's 'A Raisin in the Sun,' upcoming films 'The Express,' 'Black Water Transit,' 'The Soloist'); and British actress Jemma McKenzie-Brown as 'Tiara Gold' ('The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard,' 'M.I. High').
Other actors reprising their roles from the first two Disney Channel movies include Olesya Rulin, Chris Warren Jr., Ryne Sanborn, KayCee Stroh, Bart Johnson, Alyson Reed and Leslie Wing. Behind-the-scenes talent includes director of photography Daniel Aranyo ('High School Musical 2,' 'The Cheetah Girls 2'), production designer Mark Hofeling ('High School Musical,' 'High School Musical 2,' 'Minutemen'), and costume designer Caroline B. Marx ('The Killing Room,' TV's 'Gilmore Girls'). Director Ortega again shares choreographer duties with Charles 'Chucky' Klapow and Bonnie Story - the three earned an Outstanding Choreography Emmy for 'High School Musical.' Composer David Lawrence also returns.
