GET'CHA HEAD IN THE GAME WHEN THE NATIONWIDE CASTING CALL FOR NEW ABC REALITY SERIES "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: SUMMER SESSION" KICKS OFF

Details Available at www.abc.com/hsmsummersession

Millions of young people can vie to be part of Disney's "High School Musical" global sensation when the ABC Television Network launches a nationwide casting search for its new summer series, "High School Musical: Summer Session." The casting information and applications for the open calls can be found at www.abc.com/hsmsummersession. The series debuts on ABC on Sunday, July 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) and runs Sundays and Mondays (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) for three weeks, then continues Mondays at 8:00 p.m., ET through mid-September. The producers welcome anyone and everyone ages 16-22 who has dreamed of being center stage -- the high school quarterback who's never tried out for a play but has a song in his heart, the drama club extrovert looking to break into the big time, someone looking to trade the chess club routine for a dance routine -- all are invited to try to "Get'cha head in the game," as the hit song says. The finalists will ultimately participate in a summer music program to hone their skills, and one talented newcomer will receive the opportunity of a lifetime, becoming a part of the "High School Musical" family. The winner will receive a grand prizedetails will be announced separately. Lots of fantastic surprises await someone with the talent to go to the head of the class!

Two epic open casting calls will be held to help narrow the field, one in southern California (date, time and other details to be announced) and one at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida on May 7 (details to be announced). Both of these open auditions will be a part of the early episodes of the series. Anyone between the ages of 16 and 22 is welcome to give it a shot at the open calls (if you are under 18, you must bring your parent or legal guardian) and can download an application and view eligibility requirements at www.abc.com/hsmsummersession.

In addition to the open calls in southern California and Orlando, the casting scouts from "High School Musical: Summer Session" are scouring the country looking for otherwise unknown talent who they think deserve a chance to try out for this new reality series. The casting scouts will select some of these individuals to be brought to the final auditions, before a panel of judges, which will be held as the final phases of the open calls. If you are selected to audition, bring your A-game for a chance to appear before our judges and show them why you deserve to join the "High School Musical" family.

Executive producers of "High School Musical: Summer Session" are Jay Blumenfeld and Tony Marsh (both of "Here Come the Newlyweds"). The production company is The Jay and Tony Show. Hosts and judges will be announced at a later date.

Disney's "High School Musical" has been seen by over 250 million viewers and the sequel, "High School Musical 2," has been seen by more than 195 million viewers in 24 languages globally. The movies spawned stage productions at schools and in professional theatres around the world, multi-platinum CDs, DVDs and books, a successful consumer products franchise at mass retailers, themed shows at Disney Parks in Anaheim, Orlando and Paris, a sold-out 42 date arena concert tour in North America and Latin America and a popular touring ice show around the world.