Columbia Falls drama presents ‘High School Musical’
CHRIS PETERSON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 2 weeks AGO
Austin Counts as Troy Bolton, and Aubrey Smith playing Gabriella Montez during a recent rehearsal for High School Musical at Columbia Falls High School.
Chris Peterson is the editor of the Hungry Horse News. He covers Columbia Falls, the Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All told, about 4 million acres of the best parts of the planet. He can be reached at [email protected] or 406-892-2151. | February 26, 2026 6:45 AM
The Columbia Falls High School drama club will present “High School Musical” this week at the Little Theater.
Columbia Falls alumni and current substitute teacher Ben Woody makes his directorial debut guiding the 40-member cast and crew through the production.
Woody is a 2007 graduate of Columbia Falls and way back when was involved in theater when he was in high school. He also sang in the Sonifers.
Today he has two master’s degrees (one in English, the other in counseling) and hopes to teach English permanently at the high school or junior high. Directing the musical seemed like a good fit.
“It sounded like it would be fun,” he said. “It took a lot of time to choose a show this year.”
This is the 20th anniversary of the Disney classic, Woody noted.
“High School Musical” follows student Troy Bolton, the captain of his school basketball team (the Wildcats, no less), and Gabriella Montez, an academically gifted transfer student, who together audition for the lead roles in their school musical, causing division among the school’s cliques.
Drama ensues, as one might expect in high school, as Bolton falls in love with Montez and there’s a “play within a play” throughout.
“It’s very fun,” Woody said.
They started rehearsals in early January. High school choir director Emily Hackethorn is assistant director.
There are four shows: Feb. 26, Feb. 27 and Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. and a matinee at 2 p.m. Feb. 28 as well.
Tickets will be available at the door for $10 ($6 for seniors, students, and veterans) and are on GoFan now for $6.
The direct link to buy online is: gofan.co/event/5955490
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