Stanford teens acting out in "High School Musical" at West T. Hill

DANVILLE — Lincoln County residents who see "High School Musical" at West T. Hill community theater in July may notice a few familiar faces on stage.

Three high school students from Lincoln County landed roles in the play and two of the roles are lead characters.

Dylan Godbey of Stanford will be playing the role of Ryan, who he said is a villainous character; Grayson Yaden of Stanford has the role of Sharpay, the twin sister of Ryan; and Karolyn Richey of McKinney will be playing a member of the high school "Braniacs" clique.

The plot of "High School Musical" has been compared to "Romeo & Juliet," but set in a high school and accompanied by all the customary high school drama.

Yaden said her role is a lot of fun, especially when she gets to reject the advances of a love-struck suitor.
Yaden, who acted in her seventh-grade play and will attend Lincoln County High School as a freshman in the fall, said she enjoys "the high" she gets from acting.

"It pretty much incorporates everything I like, like singing and dancing," she said.

Richey, who has been participating in plays for three years, said this will be her first time on a stage in a "real theater."

So far, she's enjoying the laid-back atmosphere at West T. Hill and learning how theater operates outside of school.

Richey said her favorite part of the play is performing the song, "The Status Quo."

Godbey said he likes that as a villain, he gets to say lines people wouldn't normally say in real life. He said he particularly likes his final line in the play, "in theater, break a leg when it's good luck."

Godbey said he has been acting since he was 4 years old and would love to make a career out of it.

"Acting is a part of me," he said. "I don't think I could live without it."

SO YOU KNOW

"High School Musical" opens at West T. Hill Theater in downtown Danville on July 6. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Show dates are July 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22. Tickets cost $10 each and can be purchased by calling (859) 319-0205 or visiting tickets.westthill.com.