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BECKLEY, W.Va. (AP) — Bright and early on the morning of Feb. 4 inside Stephen Wilson's classroom at Woodrow Wilson High School, more than a dozen students of all grade levels and all social cliques stood on a wooden platform dancing and singing, "We're All in This Together."
Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors. Art kids, track stars, theater nerds, basketball players. Short and tall, black and white. All in this together — that's the message behind Woodrow Wilson's upcoming musical production, "High School Musical."
"In 'High School Musical,' there's so much diversity, but even though they're all different, they all end up as friends," said Wilson, an English and theater teacher and co-director of the musical. "It's like a snapshot of our school."
Woodrow has the most diverse student population in Raleigh County, and students in the theater class are encouraged to get to know the kids who aren't in their usual friend groups.
"We ask them to sit somewhere new and we play games that make them learn each other's names," Wilson said. "They've really formed a lot of friendships."
An unusual friendship formed two years ago during rehearsals for another musical production between Teron Lawson, now a junior, and Bryce Hylton, now a senior.
Teron runs track, and Bryce spends his time in theater and choir. The two wouldn't typically cross paths, but when they both auditioned for "Shrek: The Musical," they were cast as the lead characters, Shrek and Donkey.
They spent hours together during rehearsals and formed a friendship that lasted well past the final curtain.
They'll be back on the stage again this year, starring as Chad Danforth and Ryan Evans.
"Theater brings a lot of diverse students together," Teron said. "It also helps keep kids out of trouble. It's a welcoming place."
Teron was one of a handful of student-athletes who decided to take part in the Shrek musical, breaking all the teenage-clique boundaries.
"They did what 'High School Musical' is all about. It's not just about jocks and cheerleaders, it's about everyone coming together," said Dawn McGinnis, director of musical choir and co-director for the upcoming performance.
"It was an amazing step. It really changed how the entire school looked at arts."
This year is time-appropriate for Woodrow to feature the performance, as 2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the release of the Disney Channel original, "High School Musical."
Ten years ago, these now-high school students hadn't reached double-digit ages yet, but some of them remember "High School Musical" very fondly.
"I keep telling everyone I'm living out my childhood dream," said Maggie Cook, a senior cast in one of the lead roles, Gabriella Montez.
She was crazy about the musical when she was younger; she said she even had a "High School Musical" karaoke video game.
"It's all about branching out, being who you truly are, and finding yourself during your four years of high school," Cook said.
She's been involved in many of the school's activities and programs, including cheerleading, but after graduation, she says the theater program will be the one she misses most.
Seniors Sarah Fox and Breanna Hawkins, too, will miss the creative aspects of the program; this year, they're in charge of costume design.
Breanna has had a hand in the musical production all four years she's been at Woodrow, from technical work behind the curtains to creating the set with the school art club.
Fox, however, is getting a crash course into the theater scene — it's her first year.
"We watched the movie and looked at other productions of the musical to find costumes," Breanna explained.
They've spent time ordering pieces online and giving their stamp of approval or denial for students who've pulled items from their own wardrobes.
They both said they're enjoying the behind-the-scenes aspect of their roles, and they encourage everyone to come out and see the culmination of everyone's hard work.
"High School Musical" will be performed live at the Woodrow Wilson High School Auditorium on April 21, 23, 24, 28, 29 and May 1.
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Information from: The Register-Herald, http://www.register-herald.com
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