High School Musical 2

At East High the final bell rings signaling the beginning of summer vacation, and the students converge in song ("What Time Is It").

As a symbol of his feelings for her, Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) gives Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) a necklace with his initial "T" on it. The Wildcats then sing one last chorus of "What Time Is It" outside of the school. ("What Time Is It (Pt. 2)")

Sharpay and Ryan Evans (Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel) plan to spend the summer at their family's country club, Lava Springs ("Fabulous"), But Sharpay's summer plans also include pursuing Troy, whom she has arranged to be hired at the club. However, Troy convinces the club's manager, Mr. Fulton (Mark L. Taylor), into hiring Gabriella and their close group of friends as well; this includes Gabriella's best friend, Taylor (Monique Coleman), and Troy's best friend, Chad (Corbin Bleu). Sharpay is enraged upon learning that Gabriella is working as one of the lifeguards. Mr. Fulton is unable to fire them upon Sharpay's command, since her mother (Jessica Tuck) approved of their hiring, so she orders Fulton to give them difficult tasks so they'd be opt to quit. Fulton attempts to intimidate the group, but Troy rebuilds their confidence and convinces them that they can persevere ("Work This Out").

Troy continues to worry about funding for college. Sharpay senses his need and arranges for Troy to be promoted, hoping that this will convince him to sing with her at the talent show. Meanwhile, Kelsi writes a ballad for Troy and Gabriella. Troy agrees to sing with his friends in the show ("You Are The Music In Me"), not knowing that Sharpay is vying for his attention. In the extended version, Sharpay and Ryan trap Troy as he prepares for a date with Gabriella, and perform their potential show stopper ("Humuhumunukunukuapua'a").

A visit from a local college basketball team, The Red Hawks, causes a rift between Troy and Chad when Troy chooses their companionship instead of his friends', and Troy begins to distance himself from his old friends.

Ryan realizes he does not mean much to Sharpay anymore, as she is ready to cast her brother aside for the opportunity to sing with Troy. Taylor and Gabriella invite Ryan to the baseball game, and Chad offers him Troy's position ("I Don't Dance").

Troy and Gabriella's relationship is strained when Troy sees Ryan with Gabriella, sparking jealousy. Owing to a "promise" from Troy, he and Sharpay practice their song for the Midsummer Night's Talent Show ("You Are The Music In Me (Sharpay Version)").

When Sharpay discovers that Ryan and the Wildcats are putting together their own performance in the show, she orders Mr. Fulton to ban all junior staff members from performing. Gabriella confronts Sharpay, and makes it clear that she will not play Sharpay's game. She quits her job at Lava Springs. Troy overhears the exchange, and tries to persuade Gabriella to change her mind. Gabriella expresses her loss of trust with Troy ("Gotta Go My Own Way").

Troy returns to work the next day to find that his friends refuse to talk to him. Kelsi silently shows Troy the notice from Mr. Fulton, causing Troy to question his own motivations ("Bet On It"). He begins to reconcile with Chad and his other friends. Then Troy confronts Sharpay, informing her that he will not sing with her, and Sharpay bursts into tears. The Wildcats and Chad forgive Troy for his absence and convince him to sing in the talent show, which he does only under the condition that they are all allowed to perform as well.

At Sharpay's supposed instruction, Ryan gives Troy a new song to learn moments before the show. As Troy goes onstage, he asks Sharpay why she switched the song, and Sharpay is shocked to find that her brother tricked her. Troy sings the song ("Everyday") alone — until Gabriella surprisingly joins him onstage. In the end, Sharpay proudly presents her brother, Ryan, with the award for the talent show. After the talent show, the Wildcats (including Ryan and Sharpay) go to the golf course to enjoy the fireworks. Troy and Gabriella finally share their first kiss.

Everyone celebrates the end of the summer with a pool party ("All for One").

• Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) is the male protagonist of the movie. He is the most popular male student at East High School, and the captain of the varsity basketball team. For this movie, Efron did all of his own singing, whereas in the first High School Musical, his singing was blended with singer Andrew Seeley's voice.
• Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) is the female protagonist of the movie.
• Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) is the antagonist of the film.
• Ryan Evans (Lucas Grabeel) is Sharpay's fraternal twin brother.
• Chad Danforth (Corbin Bleu) is Troy's best friend, and is very good friends with Jason and Zeke.
• Taylor McKessie (Monique Coleman) is Gabriella's best friend. She is also friends with Kelsi Nielsen and Martha Cox, and is dating Chad. She is captain of the school Scholastic Decathlon team. She has a summer job at Lava Springs as an Activities Coordinator. She always sees through Sharpay, and tends to be cynical when it comes to boys.
• Mr. Thomas Fulton (Mark L. Taylor) is the manager of Lava Springs.
• Jack Bolton (Bart Johnson) is the father of Troy.
• Mr. Vance Evans (Robert Curtis Brown) is the father of Ryan and Sharpay.
• Mrs. Darby Evans (Jessica Tuck) is the mother of Ryan and Sharpay, and president of the Lava Springs Board.
• Ms. Darbus (Alyson Reed) is the stern drama teacher at East High.
• Kelsi Nielsen (Olesya Rulin) is a student at East High. She is a pianist and composer.
• Zeke Baylor (Chris Warren Jr.) is friends with Troy and Chad, and plays for the basketball team.
• Jason Cross (Ryne Sanborn) is friends with Troy, Chad, and Zeke and plays on the basketball team.
• Martha Cox (Kaycee Stroh) is a student at East High. She is a friend with Gabriella, Kelsi, and Taylor.
• Jackie (Tanya Chisholm) is one of Sharpay’s friends (a.k.a The Sharpettes).
• Lea (Kelli Baker), another Sharpette.
• Emma (McCall Clark), another Sharpette.
• Mrs. Lucille Bolton (Leslie Wing Pomeroy) is the mother of Troy and the wife of Mr. Bolton.