Creating High School Musical on Stage - a 20 year journey

Ammonite are thrilled to continue their relationship as Technical Directors and Production Management for Chris Harper Productions in their revival production of High School Musical on stage, co-produced with Hope Mill Theatre.

The studio was appointed for the production at Salford’s Lowry Theatre in August, followed by the immediate transfer to Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in October.

Ammonite are responsible for the full management of all the departments including stage, set, props, lighting, video, sound, rigging and crew. And we are pleased to say it lives up to the fresh and joyful adaptation the directors had envisioned, whilst simultaneously protecting the childhood nostalgia of the 2006 TV film on its 20-year anniversary. 

The result of all these moving parts? A sparkling success.

It’s an honour for us to be a part of the team that will breathe life into such a beloved franchise for a new generation. We wanted to share a bit more about specific elements of the production that really make it sing:

Technical Design Highlights

The production design incorporated several key features:

• Set and Stage Design: On stage seating is always fun for the audience, but especially when the stage is a working basketball court. It takes weeks of draughting plans and talking to workshops to transform a free space into a suitable dance, school and sports floor. The stage extends out close to the audience so they can feel immersed in the production, as designed by Andrew Exeter.
• Lighting: The lighting of this show by Rory Beaton is incredibly versatile. This production requires classroom scenes, sports hall lighting, a faux musical and more. The lighting thrives in the songs, where the stage is transformed into a concert-like spectacle. 
• Projection: The video design by George Reeve involves both live camera and incredible content that is plastered over the three walls of the set perfectly in time with the choreography
• The Disney Magic: You’ll have to see the show to find out what that is!

‍Seeking Production Management?

If you require Production Management, get in touch today! Contact us on info@ammonite.ltd

‍Team Credits

Production Management - Rob Casey, Matt Roper and Genna Hill for Ammonite

Co-Directors - Joseph Houston and William Whelton

Choreographer - Aaron Renfree

Set Designer - Andrew Exeter

Lighting Design - Rory Beaton

Sound Design - Matt Peploe

Video Design - George Reeve

Costume Design - Sophia Pardon

WHAM Design - Angela Carradus

Props Supervisor - Marcus Hall Props

Equipment supplied by:

Lighting - Christie Lites

Sound - SSS

Video - Blue-I

Set - Mi Workshop

Rigging - Unusual Rigging

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Written by Grace McCaffrey