Exclusive: Kylie Cantrall Spills the Beans on Joining the Epic Final Season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Summary

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series will release all eight episodes of its final season at once on August 9th.

The spinoff series will showcase the original cast members of High School Musical and offer fans the chance to appear as extras in High School Musical 4. Kylie Cantrall, portraying the role of Dani, a contemporary antagonist, had the privilege of collaborating with the original cast members.

Disney+ will release all eight episodes of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Wednesday, August 9th. Although the show's fourth season will be its last, the spinoff series will go out with a bang. As a special tribute to fans of the original franchise, the Wildcats will have the chance to be featured extras in High School Musical 4, alongside returning cast members Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Lucas Grabeel, Bart Johnson, Alyson Reed​, and Kaycee Stroh.

Kylie Cantrall takes on the role of Dani, the show's new "mean girl" and a contemporary version of Sharpay Evans. However, this isn't Cantrall's first collaboration with Disney. The actress has also worked on projects such as Raven's Home, Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., and Gabby Duran & The Unsittables. Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, Kate Reinders, Liamani Segura, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, and Julia Lester will all be returning as series regulars for season 4.

Kylie Cantrall Talks High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 4

Screen Rant: You're coming in during the final season of the series, so were you a fan of the show beforehand?

Kylie Cantrall: Absolutely. I was a dedicated viewer of the show from its very first episode when it premiered on Disney+. The anticipation surrounding the show was incredibly high. Additionally, I was already aware of Olivia Rodrigo and Sofia Wylie, who were both famous Disney actresses prior to their involvement in this show. The Disney community is quite interconnected, so it's common for us to be familiar with each other. I've been faithfully following the show since its debut, never missing an episode, and have continued to stay up-to-date with every season. Personally, I believe it's an outstanding show.

Speaking of which, what are your thoughts on the original High School Musical movies?

How was your experience collaborating with the original cast members?

Kylie Cantrall expressed her excitement about meeting Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman, describing it as a super iconic experience. In a memorable moment, she found herself sitting next to Monique in the makeup trailer and couldn't contain her admiration, exclaiming, "Oh my gosh! I loved you!" Monique was incredibly kind and they had a lovely chat. Kylie emphasizes that both Corbin and Monique are incredibly sweet.

Apart from acting, Kylie is also a musician. She appreciates the opportunities that allow her to blend both crafts together, and finds great joy in this unique combination.

Kylie Cantrall expressed her excitement about combining her two worlds and favorite aspects of her work, considering it a dream come true. She believes that for any musician, being a part of a musical like High School Musical is a dream realized.

When you were familiarizing yourself with Dani's character and reading the script, what initially caught your attention?

Kylie Cantrall: The aspect that really captivated me at the start was her resemblance to a mean girl. [Laughs] Ever since, I've always had a fondness for characters embodying the "mean girl" archetype. Naturally, Sharpay from the original High School Musical and Regina George from Mean Girls were among my favorites. Drawing inspiration from these two characters allowed me to understand Dani better and shape her persona. It served as my initial motivation. Undoubtedly, this was the most thrilling aspect of playing Dani. I had never portrayed such a sassy character before, therefore delving into her personality was an incredibly gratifying experience.

Tim Federle's collaborative approach with his actors allowed for open discussion and creative input. I appreciated the freedom to share any ideas with him, even texting him the night before with new concepts to try on set. He was always supportive and open to exploring different possibilities. One aspect I loved was his dedication to developing Dani's character with depth and complexity. He didn't want her to be a typical, one-dimensional villain. Throughout the season, we see various facets of Dani's personality emerge. She is not just a sassy girl but also someone with her own insecurities and experiences personal growth. It was important to both Tim and me that I had the opportunity to showcase these different layers of Dani.

I thoroughly enjoy Dani and Kourtney's friendship. What do you like most about their dynamic?

Kylie Cantrall: Firstly, Dara Reneé is an incredible person, which made it effortless to establish that dynamic with her. We have a great rapport off-set, which made sharing many scenes together so enjoyable. Her energy is infectious. I also appreciate how different they are from each other. Kourtney and Dani's contrasting personalities complement one another perfectly. Throughout the season, it's fascinating to witness how their dynamic evolves and completely changes from where it began. Their friendship is undeniably special.

Have you found a particular aspect of the season to be your favorite or is there something new that the show hasn't done before?

Kylie Cantrall: Absolutely, you can expect all the timeless High School Musical dances. The music is incredibly nostalgic as we are featuring all the songs from High School Musical 3, bringing back that classic feel. It's really cool because it appeals to fans of the original movies due to that nostalgia factor. However, even if you haven't seen the original movies, the songs are just so good that you'll love them regardless. So, prepare for fantastic dance numbers, incredible song renditions, and plenty of drama. Drama is definitely a prominent element this season, and we absolutely enjoy that.

What is your favorite character from the series? Is there one that particularly stood out to you?

Kylie Cantrall: Personally, I think Carlos is my favorite character. Honestly, Frankie Rodriguez is one of the most hilarious individuals I've ever interacted with. Your comedic timing and wit extend far beyond the camera too.

What is your main takeaway from this experience? With the prevalence of reboots and revivals in our world, would you be interested in returning to this project, if given the opportunity?

Kylie Cantrall: Absolutely. Being a part of this project has been an absolute dream come true. It's undeniable that this franchise and these movies hold such a significant place in pop culture. Additionally, the camaraderie off set is incredibly heartwarming. The entire cast has been incredibly welcoming and accepting, which I am extremely grateful for. I will definitely miss being a part of it. Although I believe this current run has come to an end, I remain hopeful that there might be a spin-off or something similar in the future. My fingers are definitely crossed.

About High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 4

The Wildcats, who had a memorable summer at Camp Shallow Lake, are now back at East High. They are getting ready to put on a stage production of "High School Musical 3: Senior Year." However, their plans take an unexpected turn when Principal Gutierrez reveals that Disney has chosen their school as the filming location for the highly anticipated "High School Musical 4: The Reunion" movie. As a result, the Wildcats will have the opportunity to be featured extras in the film. For more interviews with the cast of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, check out our other content.

Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez & Julia Lester

Showrunner Tim Federle

All 8 episodes of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 4 premiere Wednesday, August 9 on Disney+.