High School Musical 4

New Wildcats Filmmakers cast Matt Prokop (Hannah Montana, The Office) as Jimmie the Rocket Zara, Justin Martin (TVs A Raisin in the Sun, The Express, Black Water Transit, The Soloist) as Donny Dion, and British actress Jemma McKenzie-Brown (The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard, M.I. High) as Tiara Gold. To find the three new actors, we auditioned thousands of kids and it came down to 15 kids that we thought had star quality, explains Borden. We brought them into a dance studio and had them sing, dance, play sports. In the end, the final three had some magic that we felt would transfer to the big screen. Adds Ortega, Theres that certain kind of effervescence, energy and excitement, a chemistry that is underneath the words, the music, the dancing that some of these kids carry into the room with them. And you want to know them and spend time with them. From the first day they arrived, they came in ready and excited, continues Ortega. I felt like we made really great choices. All of them come from good schooling and experience. In a matter of hours they were a part of the team. When we thought about introducing new characters, the one thing that we all said was we do not want to find the new Troy or the new Taylor, says Borden. We want to find new characters, we dont want to clone anyone. That isnt how school or life really is and that isnt how we want these actors to be perceived. Each new class is a new start, adds Rosenbush. Each new adventure is your experience to understand and to learn and to exercise your talents and your aspirations. So by watching Matt, Justin and Jemma in these new character roles, were going to see them find themselves. But theyre still dealing in this magical world of East High. Jimmie the Rocket Zara is your classic sophomore, says writer Barsochinni. When youre that age, you think you rule the world. Hes a young kid on the basketball team who really idolizes Troy Bolton. But on the other hand, sophomores think theyre the coolest thing in the world. We wanted that kind of character at East High. Actor Matt Prokop, 18, was thrilled to be cast as the rocker-wannabe. Its a dream. I would have never thought in my life that I would be in a musical—I didnt sing and didnt dance before HSM3, he says. Its kind of scary because everyones heard of High School Musical 15 CASTING and now its going to be in theatres. Justin Martin was cast as Donny Dion, best friend to Jimmie and towel boy for the basketball team. Explains Borden, Those two guys hang out and theyre kind of like Abbott and Costello. Theyre an unlikely team, which is really fun. Adds Barsocchini, Of the pair, Donny Dion is the brains of the operation. Donny checks out the depth of the water before he jumps in the pool. Martin adds, Hes sort of a chill character. He balances out crazy Jimmie. He idolizes Troy and Chad and hopes to be like them, but also wants to get them out of the school so he and his partner-incrime Jimmie can take over. Martins family shared in his excitement of being involved in the project. I have an 8-year-old sister who thinks Im the coolest brother ever, says Martin. The search for the Tiara character took filmmakers across the pond to find Jemma McKenzie-Brown. When we met Jemma, we thought this girl can do a lot of things, says Barsocchini. Shes got some sophisticated abilities. We knew we could give this character of Tiara more colors in the rainbow than we originally thought. Adds Ortega, Jemmas smart, sophisticated beyond her years and funny. Shes effervescent and a ball of fun. She can sing. She can dance. I think shes got that thing that Ashley has. Tiara transfers to East High from England, explains Barsocchini. Shes a couple years younger than our principal characters and might have a couple surprises up her sleeve. She becomes Sharpays personal assistant—her Mini-Me, adds McKenzie-Brown. She looks up to Sharpay and sorts out her diva demands, but secretly, Tiara is conniving. Shes the naughty one, Sharpays a diva—together were a nightmare. The veteran cast members opened their arms to the new arrivals. Its great having the new cast members, says Coleman. It totally parallels real high school.