Former CQUniversity Music Theatre student Liam McIlwain has been cast in the much anticipated Disney High School Musical - Live on Stage!.

Liam, who recently turned 25, will play Ryan Evans, the vice-president of the drama club and Sharpay's downtrodden younger twin - a major role with key singing and dancing parts.

Former Mackay student Liam McIlwain will play Ryan in the Australian production of High School Musical.The musical debuts in Sydney on December 18 followed by Adelaide (February 28, 2009), Canberra (April 3, 2009) and Newcastle (April 18, 2009). It will also be staged in Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne and Perth, but dates are still to be confirmed. Ticket information can be accessed at http://www.hsmliveonstage.com.au/ .

Director of the Australian production Jeff Calhoun said: "Having auditioned people in America, in the UK and Australia, we found some of our best talent in Australia."

Liam went to the top of the class when he auditioned with 800 other hopefuls for a part in what has been said to be the most successful stage production in the world.

"I believe we have a fresh, vibrant cast that will make the Australian production an exciting theatre experience," Casting Director Lynne Ruthven said.

Liam first saw the original High School Musical movie about a year ago.

"I secretly loved it and wished it was around when I was a kid."

His favourite song is "We're All In This Together" and he suspects he and his character Ryan are pretty similar.

Liam McIlwain as Ryan Evans in High School Musical.Liam is particularly looking forward to performing to a younger audience: "I'm really excited to be in a show that will bring young kids into the theatre, some for the first time".

"I can still vividly remember going to the theatre for the first time as a kid and I loved it. That's why I'm performing in musicals today."

Born in Brisbane, Liam studied a Bachelor of Music Theatre in Mackay through CQUniversity and later completed a Diploma of Arts (Dance) from the Dance Factory in Melbourne as a scholarship student. While at CQUniversity he performed in productions of The Sound of Music, Chess and Kiss Me, Kate.

"I learnt a lot in these shows that helped prepare me for the professional world," Liam said.

While still studying he made his professional debut in Bye Bye Birdie and was cast in the Australian tour of Grease - The Arena Spectacular in the ensemble and also understudied the roles of Doody and Sonny.

He performed the role of Bobby in the Australian Premier reading of Sondheim's Saturday Night, Michael Matthews in the new Australian opera McCubbin and also appeared as a featured dancer in My Fair Lady, Sunset Boulevard and the Bollywood feature film Salaam Namaste (Black Cat Films).

Teagan Wouters (as Sharpay Evans), Liam McIllwain (as Ryan Evans) interview by Print Media at the announcement of the Australian cast.Liam toured Australia as an original cast member of the world premier of Dusty - The Original Pop Diva and featured on the subsequent television documentary series Dusty - Little By Little (ABC).  Next he performed the role of Skimbleshanks in the International Tour of Cats with successful seasons in Taiwan, Korea and Thailand .

Most recently, he performed in the Sydney and Melbourne revival seasons of Shout - The Legend of the Wild One!.

Not bad for someone who was born into a non-performing family who ran a civil contracting company and didn't start dancing until the relatively late age of 16.

The cast of the Australian production of High School Musical.