The spotlight hits the stage as “We’re All in This Together” concludes the show that the actors had been working for months to perfect. One actress, in particular, stands out to the crowd. She is the show’s star and Gabriella’s spitting image; the talented senior smiles and waves to the roaring crowd. A moment that will forever be preserved in the fans’ memories and the cast members’ hearts
Senior Olivia Vemulapelli stole the spotlight this spring in Sunnyslope’s production of High School Musical. She played Gabriella all three nights that the play went on: April 24-26 at 7 pm in the Sunnyslope auditorium. Fans were blown away by the accuracy of the performance, the chemistry between the lead actors, and the way Olivia captivated the audience with stunning singing and acting.
From the moment Vemulapalli stepped on stage as Gabriella Montez, it was clear she had fully transformed into the character. According to Madeline McDonald, the theater teacher and director at Sunnyslope High School, Vemulapalli was the obvious choice. “Automatically from the audition, I felt like she already possessed a lot of the traits that I was looking for,” McDonald said. “She was just very natural and believable in the role.” Vemulapalli’s work ethic and ability to take direction made her stand out from the beginning.
Her dedication to the role wasn’t just noticed by McDonald, but it was deeply felt by her co-star, Jack Tatham, who played Troy. “Olivia embodied the role of Gabriella just by studying and working on that like I’ve never seen before,” Tatham said. “She was so very dedicated… her work ethic is how she was able to bring that character to life.” Tatham also shared how the chemistry between them on stage wasn’t forced, it came naturally. “We just became naturally better friends, and that just led to a very organic and authentic chemistry between us,” he said.
Even audience members were blown away by Vemulapalli’s performance. Octavia Schlegel, a freshman who attended the show, said she went in as a fan of the original movie but left even more impressed. “I was ABSOLUTELY, all caps, a fan of the movie, but I am an even bigger fan of the play,” she said. “Not only did every cast member look the part, but they acted the part perfectly.” When it came to Vemulapalli specifically, Schlegel noted, “She has all of the beauty and the talent and the voice…it just perfectly matched.”
Behind the scenes, Vemulapalli worked hard to bring Gabriella to life in her unique way. “I just watched a bunch of different versions on YouTube of people doing the theater version, and I took aspects of what I liked and didn’t like,” she explained. “I found her mannerisms, and that helped me get into the character.” Olivia also credited her fellow cast members and teachers. “I definitely had a lot of help from Miss Krause, Ms. McDonald, and just like, the cast was really helpful,” she said.
While Vemulapalli is heading to UCLA in the fall to study business economics with a possible minor in film, she says her experience playing Gabriella made a lasting impact. “It’s made me a lot more confident on stage,” she reflected. Vemulapalli is a proud member of Sunnyslope’s advanced dance team and credits her performance skills to that: “Definitely doing dance helped me play Gabriella.” As her final curtain closes at Sunnyslope High, Vemulapalli leaves behind ripple effects from the splash she made in her first-ever theater performance.
