Episode Guide

Season 1

N°	Title	Release date
1	"The Auditions"	November 8, 2019 (Freeform, ABC, Disney Channel)
Ricky returns to school for the new year to discover that his former girlfriend, Nini, is now dating E.J., whom she met at a theater camp over the summer. On her first day as the new drama teacher at East High, Miss Jenn announces that the school will be staging a production of High School Musical: The Musical. Mr. Mazzara warns Miss Jenn of the need to be professional while at work. Nini is inspired to audition for the musical after typically participating as a chorus member; and Ricky decides to audition in an attempt to impress Nini and rekindle their relationship. Nini meets transfer student Gina, who intimidates her with her dance abilities. Nini boldly auditions for the role of Gabriella by singing "Start of Something New", while Ricky auditions for Troy by singing the song that Nini previously wrote for him as a declaration of her love; "I Think I Kinda, You Know". Upset, Nini confronts Ricky, before the cast list is posted, revealing Ricky and Nini in the lead roles of Troy and Gabriella respectively.
2	"The Read-Through"	November 15 2019
Miss Jenn commences rehearsals for the musical with a cast read-through of the script. Nini tries to avoid Ricky, as she is unimpressed that he auditioned to get closer to her, rather than for the benefit of the production. Nini criticizes Ricky for not taking the production seriously, which leads him to contemplate quitting. However, Gina convinces Ricky to continue participating in the hope that his romantic attempts cause Nini to quit, allowing her to assume the role of Gabriella. This backfires when Nini is impressed by Ricky's newfound efforts to practise the dance routines. E.J. is jealous of Ricky being cast as Troy, and after suspecting that Ricky has been messaging Nini behind his back, he plans to steal Nini's phone and check her messages. Gina steals Nini's phone on E.J.'s behalf, and offers an alliance; to help him remove Ricky from the musical so that he can play Troy opposite Nini. Meanwhile, Miss Jenn acquires a prop from the original film, Gabriella's phone, to be displayed throughout the show's run.
3	"The Wonderstudies"	November 22 2019
Now in possession of Nini's phone, E.J. listens to a heartfelt voicemail that Ricky leaves for her and deletes it; before returning the phone to lost and found out of guilt. Nini arrives late to rehearsals after Gina reschedules the session, aware Nini would not receive the update while missing her phone. Nini feels intimidated when Gina choreographs a complicated dance routine, and steals some of her belongings in retaliation, believing Gina stole her phone. E.J. convinces Nini to return the items, and writes a song for her, "A Billion Sorrys", when he realises he must confess his own actions. After E.J. hints that he listened to the voicemail, Ricky inadvertently reveals to Nini that E.J. stole her phone. Meanwhile, Mr. Mazzara confronts Miss Jenn about the prop phone she acquired; finding a receipt for her purchase of the item online after she claimed it was a gift from one of the cast members of the original film. Mr. Mazzara rebukes Miss Jenn when he discovers she was merely an extra in the film and suggests her position at the school was awarded based on the false claim that she had a larger role. He pressures her to inform her drama students.
4	"Blocking"	November 29 2019
Nini confronts E.J. about stealing her phone causing a fight between the two. Ricky's mom returns early from Chicago and he learns that his mom and dad are splitting up. At rehearsal the cast of the musical begins blocking scenes. Nini finds out that Ashlyn knew about E.J. stealing her phone and Ashlyn begs Nini to forgive him. Not wanting to go home and face his parents Ricky plans on spending the night at Big Red's house. When that doesn't work out Nini's mom says Ricky can spend the night there. Nini initially opposes the idea but is okay with it after she learns what happened. Nini and Ricky have a conversation about his parents which almost leads to a kiss between the two; Nini however, pulls away. Gina promises to help E.J. get Nini back and get the role of Troy in the musical only if he takes her to the homecoming dance. When Nini goes to get Ricky extra pillows Ricky leaves to go home where his mom is packing her stuff and says she'll be staying at least through the end of the week.
5	"Homecoming"	December 6 2019
Nini and Kourtney ditch the homecoming dance for a girls' night with Miss Jenn tagging along. They go to a karaoke bar, where Miss Jenn meets Mike. At the dance, Gina's plan does not follow through, since Nini did not show up, and ends up striking a relationship with Ricky. Carlos feels stood up as Seb does not show. At the end, Miss Jenn gets a foreboding phone call from Principal Gutierrez.
9	Opening Night	January 3 2020
It’s almost 1 week till Show Time, so it gets a bit rough at rehearsals as everyone tries to put on a musical in under 1 week. Miss Jen tries to motivate the cast in order to make the show a success. Ricky tries to convince Gina’s mother to let her stay for the show. And Nini gets a call that will change her life forever.
10	Act Two	January 10 2020
It's Act Two of opening night, and the stakes have never been higher. After last-minute cast changes in Act One - and so much left unsaid between Ricky and Nini - there's more drama offstage than on.
11	Behind The Musical: Special Extended HSMTMTS Episode	January 17 2020
Calling all High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Fans!!! Take a look backstage. Get to know the cast. Get behind the scenes look at how an episode is made. And catch a sneak peek at Season 2 of the series.