"We all kind of pulled out all the stops," Monique Coleman said in a conversation with The Hartford Courant last week. "All of us coming back to this one, recommitting ourselves to the project that helped us all attain our successes, it's an expression of gratitude to the Disney Channel for making us superstars."



Coleman added that after the brilliant success of the first High School Musical, they are all aware that "he stakes were higher, and the bar was definitely raised" this time around.

The 26 year old actress portrays Taylor McKessie on the film, East High Science Club Leader and friend of Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens). Her other television credits include The Reading Room, Boston Public, Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

22 year old Lucas Grabeel also told The Hartford Courant that this time, the musical numbers and dance moves were definitely harder than ever.

"It was a lot harder regarding technical things we do," said Grabeel. "The dancing was harder, the music more challenging… every character is involved more."

In the sequel of the Disney hit, Lucas Grabeel reprises his role as Ryan Evans, the slightly better half of his fraternal twin sister, Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale). His other acting credits include Boston Legal, Veronica Mars, 'Til Death and Alice.

The first movie was more focused on the blossoming relationship between the two main characters played by Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Zac Efron. This time, however, Lucas Grabeel said that fans can expect to see more input from the other characters in the foreground in the much awaited sequel.

"The first High School Musical was much more about Troy [Zac Efron] and Gabriella -- her struggling with her new school and his struggle choosing between basketball and singing," Grabeel said. "This one is more about a group of people."

But despite the raised expectations, the actors and actresses of the show still had a lot of fun in the creation of the sequel, Monique Coleman said.

"I think there is an idea people have about what they expect from this movie," said Coleman. "I feel proud of the fact we didn't fall into the trap of allowing ourselves into being pressured into anything other than having a fantastic time."