High School Musical 2 Stars Share Dance Tips

"I DON'T DANCE"

If you feel like you've got two left feet, don't panic! Take a peek at our 'High School Musical 2' guide to dancing inspired by the film's sassy song, 'I Don't Dance.' It's packed with star secrets and boogie tips from the movie's cast. Follow their advice and you'll be wowing everyone on the dance floor in no time?

STEP TO IT!
Zac: The best way to get better at something is to practice. We really stepped up the routines in 'High School Musical 2' and I'm not the best dancer in the cast, so I really had to put a lot of effort in to make it work. To me, dancing is all about having fun. I find it really fulfilling to watch myself progress and become crisper, so I'm glad I stepped up to the plate in this movie.

ENJOY YOURSELF
Corbin: Try to have fun when you're dancing! Many of the dance moves in 'High School Musical 2' came out of the cast messing around and improvising. For example, there's a kind of rollercoaster move in 'What Time Is It' which came about after the director saw a long line of dancers sitting down in a row during rehearsals. An idea really can come from anywhere!

IT TAKES TIME
Lucas: A lot more time and effort went into the film than people think. We rehearsed and practised for three weeks when we starting work on 'High School Musical 2.' And even though 'What Time Is It' lasts for three minutes in the movie, it took an entire three days to shoot! Practice makes perfect, so it was all worth it.

TOGETHER, FOREVER
Monique: During the first 'High School Musical' we all had a difficult time learning the dances, so we learned them separately from the principal dancers. But this time around we all learned them together because everyone had improved so much. If you're going to do a big routine with friends, get them all together for practice sessions as often as possible ? that's the best way to a show-stopping performance.

FILM FAVE!
Ashley: I had so much fun filming the second movie! My favorite dance routine was the one for 'What Time Is It.' We shot the scene at East High, which was very memorable. It shows all the characters and what they're excited about for the summer... and it looks really cool.

MIRROR, MIRROR
Corbin: A top dancing tip is to rehearse in front of a mirror. Big dance studios all have huge mirrors so that dancers can see what they're doing and where they're going wrong. You don't need a huge mirror if you're at home just use the one on the back of your bedroom door or wardrobe.

SAY IT WITH A SMILE!
Lucas: If you practice in front of a mirror, don't forget to look at what your face is doing while you move around. If a routine is energetic, your face might look tired ? but try to keep a smile there to show you're having a good time, too!

HOME IMPROVEMENT
Monique: Who's the worst dancer in the cast? Ha ha! I can't answer that! I will say that the most improved were Ryne Sanborn [who plays Jason] and Olesya Rulin [who plays Kelsi]. How did they do it? They practiced, of course!

NATURAL WONDER
Vanessa: I think I was a natural born dancer. Even when I was two-years old, I was dancing around the house and knocking things over. I started to take singing and dancing lessons pretty early on, but I didn't do it because I wanted to be famous ? I did it because I loved it. If you don't enjoy dancing, maybe it's not the thing for you ? but if you do, keep at it and have fun!

BLEU BABE
Monique: Corbin was the quickest to learn the dance moves in the first and second films. He's a natural dancer ? and easily the best dancer in the cast. He made the routine All For One seem effortless, even though it was really tricky. That was probably the most energetic routine we had to learn this time, but we're all really proud of the way it looks in the finished film.

BABY BOOGIE
Corbin: I started dancing when I was two years old, so I've had a lot of practice ? but even I still mess up. There's so much involved with the routines that another tip is to make sure you really you can do a routine without having to think about it. Practice until you know if upside down, inside out!

THAT?S SHOWBIZ!
Zac: If you want to get into performing, go for it! Try out at your local theatre, sign up for a school play and see if you enjoy being in the spotlight and if you're any good at performance. If it makes you happy and you're good at it, then that's what you need to do in life.

WET 'N' WILD!
Monique: There was a lot more sweat this year because the routines were so much harder than the first movie. Who was the sweatiest cast member? That would have to be me! I was so sweaty I would have to blow dry my underarms in between takes.

CHEER UP?
Ashley: My sister and mum were cheerleaders when they were at school and they used to joke about me being so uncoordinated. They were completely surprised by my dancing in 'High School Musical', though. They were in awe! It just shows what a lot of practice can do.

IT'S A KNOCK OUT!
Monique: During filming, I went flying and knocked over a couple of dancers. It was a real 'OMG' moment! I slid the whole way across the room but I made it look cool. What's my advice if you take a tumble? Try to look on the funny side of it and laugh it off.

PARTY HARD!
Corbin: I get invited to a lot of proms and parties because I know how to have fun on the dance floor. I don't worry about how I look when I'm boogying. I can't stand it when you go to parties and everyone stands on different sides of the room watching everyone else. Let everything go and have fun. Dance the night away! If you're shy, practice some simple dance moves at home in preparation, but make sure you get on that dance floor because dancing is so much fun.