When Troy Bolton takes a trip to Colorado in his junior year of high school, he never expected to meet the girl of his dreams, Gabriella. When he doesn't get a call after meeting her, he assumes she didn't want to be with him, and returns to his daily life as an East High Wildcat in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The day after winter break, he is sitting in home room, listening to their drama teacher rant, when he notices that Gabriella has not only moved to Albuquerque, but now attends East High! The relationship blossoms, and soon they audition for the spring musical, Twinkle Town. After a long race, they finally win the part over twin prima donnas, Sharpay and Ryan Evans.