We Got Answers to All Your Questions About "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" Season 3
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It's almost time for the highly-anticipated third season of our fave comfort show, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. New episodes are about to hit Disney+ and we seriously can't wait to be reunited with the wildcats. The fan-favorite series is switching gears for its third season — instead of producing another musical and letting cutthroat theater kid drama consume them at East High — Gina, EJ, Ashlyn, Carlos, and Ricky are headed to Camp Shallow Lake.
If that name rings a bell, it's because that's where EJ and Nini first met ahead of season 1. According to recurring cast member Joshua Bassett, season 3 ties back to the show's humble beginnings. Whether that's with another love triangle or beating out the competition for a lead role, we're still looking forward to all the new season has to bring.
We caught up with the cast of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series — Matt Cornett, Dara Renée, Julia Lester, and Frankie Rodriguez — about season 3. They dished on their favorite character dynamics, what it was like working with HSM alum Corbin Bleu, and their favorite on-set memories. Plus, Matt speaks on EJ and Gina's budding relationship this season.
17: How can we expect to see EJ and Gina's dynamic evolve in season 3? What's been the best part of playing the frenemies-to-lovers arc?
Shoutout to @RoundWayGirlA03 for this question!
Matt Cornett: It's been super fun and I have to say, Sofia's amazing and she's one of my favorite people to do scenes with 'cause she's hilarious and goofy. It's always a blast filming with her. I've said since season 1 that EJ and Gina are actually similar in so many different ways. In season 1, they both were in the wrong a little bit in some things and I truly think they're both good people and they both have hearts of gold and want the best.
This season, obviously they start as a new fresh couple in that honeymoon stage and they're so excited to be at summer camp together and get to spend this summer together and just focus on each other and making this relationship flourish. Obviously, there's High School Musical: The Musical: The Series drama that ensues. I'm not gonna spoil anything, but it's going to be a spicy summer.
17: We see a lot of different characters interacting this season, from Ricky and Jet to Kourtney and Carlos. What has been your favorite character dynamic this season and why?
Dara Renée: There is one dynamic that has not been announced yet, and that is my favorite and it has to do with me and someone else. I can't say who, but that's one of my favorite dynamics. It's really fun, you wouldn't expect it. Also, me and Frankie every day on set. I love him so much. That's my baby right there.
17: What can you tease about Kourtney’s storyline this season? Are we going to see her more involved on stage or backstage?
Shoutout to Mia for this question!
DR: Tea! I feel like this season, the fans who have been supporting Kourtney and have been following her journey are gonna be really, really pleased with what she does and who she becomes. I feel like Kourtney completely transitions and I was able to write a song for Kourtney and express, through my words, what she's going through. I really feel like those who have been with me through season 1 are gonna be like, "Dang, okay. So that's why Kourtney does what she does."
17: Over the course of the series, we’ve seen Carlos and Seb’s relationship evolve from a crush to something more. Was it weird to film at camp without Joe Serafini and how do you think this plays into Carlos’ experience?
Frankie Rodriguez: The first day was kind of like a weird fever dream because we not only have some new cast members, but it's a whole new crew. It's a whole new setting and type of environment. So, something that you thought you were so familiar with is now completely different. Different just means there's a change of energy and [we were able to] welcome these new groups of people who are also so excited to make the show. That part of it was really cool, to see the way everyone blend so quickly. Halfway through that first day, it was pretty clear. Everyone was like, "Alright, we're back to where we left off." To start off, it was a weird experience, but it was, of course, so hard to have to say goodbye at the end of the season.
This season, [Carlos is] actually not the choreographer, he's in a new environment where he is actually just wanting to focus on himself as a performer and what that means for him. What I've learned from playing this character is that there's a sense of being fearless and being open to trying new things. I think that's definitely something that I like to bring on in my real life of just being like, "Not everything's gonna work, but I won't know until I at least try."
17: How has Ashlyn's confidence grown since having to step into a leading role last season? Do you think that experience has changed her in any way?
Shoutout to @redlynsthinker for this question!
Julia Lester: Yes, to all of those things! I think that she has really found herself during season 2 and found her place in theater and what makes her feel special and what makes her shine. She's sort of riding this elevated sense of self-worth right now, and it's very exciting to see her take all of that confidence and go into a completely new environment where there's new people around her. I don't know if those feelings are gonna stay true to how she is because the people around her are changing and are being shaken up. So we'll see if that carries over into season 3 or if she changes a little bit.
17: How cool was it working with Corbin Bleu? Did he have any fun OG HSM stories that he shared with the cast?
Shoutout to Daisy for this question!
FR: Oh my gosh. I tried not to bug him with too many High School Musical questions. I wanted to keep it cool and make it seem like we were peers and best friends but I was internally screaming. It is kind of crazy to grow up with a franchise as prominent as High School Musical that had such an impact on your life and then all of a sudden, you're acting in a scene with one of the core members. It's a surreal experience, and just to see how kind and nice he was made it even better.
JL: He's extremely warm, kind, and welcoming. I never felt hindered or nervous to really express how much I appreciate him and the work that he's done for all of us. He's been a huge supporter of the show since before we even started, so to have him actually on set and in there with us was something that I think all of us have been really waiting for.
17: How was it welcoming Saylor Bell and Adrian Lyles to the HSM:TM:TS family?
Shoutout to Jimena for this question!
FR: I mean, it's fairly easy if you've met them, they are the sweetest people that you will meet. It's really nice to be able to welcome in people who are just as excited to make the show and to see what happens next. It's kind of weird to think there was a time that they weren't there now, 'cause they became such a pivotal role to that. So, it was great. I love them so much.
JL: I completely agree. Like you said, Frankie, the second you meet them, you're like, "Oh, of course you're here. Like, of course you fit into this family." They brought such a lovely, bubbly, and effervescent new energy to the group that we haven't been lacking, but something that we haven't really felt since season 1. There was this childlike playfulness and excitement that came with the two of them and it was really fun to go back to like, "Oh yeah, this is their first season and they're just as excited as we were the first season, like let's match [the energy]" and it was so much fun.
17: In past seasons, the cast has made some pretty fun memories, from playing pranks to making impromptu music videos near your trailers. What was your favorite memory while filming season 3?
MC: There are so many good memories. Honestly, some of my favorite moments with everyone this season have been, during our lunch times. A lot of times, we would just go sit in the middle of the field at camp and put a bunch of blankets down and sit there, play a little music, talk, hang out, and have a picnic for lunch. It was beautiful 'cause we're in the LA weather, it's sunny. It's just good vibes. It felt like I was at camp with my best friends.
DR: Literally same for me. I mean, it was so much fun on set. I remember we had night shoots and listen, I'm scared of the dark, I'm not gonna lie. I think ghosts, goblins, monsters, and all of that are in the forest, so I don't play with trees at night. Being able to be around everybody in the dark when they're like, "Boo!" [while] coming up the corner — even though it was scary, I loved it because we were just having fun and laughing and it was amazing.
JL: It really felt like we were at camp. Something our show has done since season 1 that we pride ourselves on is the nostalgia factor for all age groups. There was a real sense of nostalgic and childlike summer fun for all of us. And like [Matt] said, we were making TikToks behind the scenes and having picnics on the lawn for lunch. There were night shoots where we were sometimes out till 3:00, 4:00 in the morning where all of us are losing our minds. That's the time when we would bond the most because we would be huddled in a tent covered in blankets trying to stay warm in front of one tiny heater. How can you not look around and just love all the people next to you? So, that was extremely fun and I'm so excited for people to see that translates onto the screen. I think it's really obvious in this season.
Parts of this interview have been edited and condensed for clarity.
Season 3 of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series premieres Wednesday, July 27, 2022 on Disney+.
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