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[playmakings]

( PLAYER INFORMATION )
- ★ NAME: Chasekat
- ★ AGE: 24
- ★ TIMEZONE: CST
- ★ CONTACT: chasekat
- ★ CURRENT CHARACTERS & LATEST AC: N/A

RESERVATION LINK: here!

( CHARACTER INFORMATION )
- ★ NAME: Kelsi Nielson
- ★ AGE: 18
- ★ CANON & CANON POINT: High School Musical, post movie 3 (after first semester of Julliard)
- ★ CANON INFORMATION: Kelsi's wiki page (note: the Wiki has her name spelled wrong; she spells it with an ‘o’ in the canon)
- ★ PERSONALITY: Kelsi arguably undergoes the most change in the movies--she starts out as a bit of a cardboard cutout in the first movie. Shy, meek, not very comfortable with others--the quintessential nerdy girl; the one bullied and hiding from the world. Luckily, Kelsi grows into much more than that as the series progresses.

Kelsi is shy, yes, but she's also intelligent and artistic. Her artistry comes not in the form of painting or dancing, but instead song. She's the best in her school and arguably the best of her age in the country, given that Juilliard made an exception to accept her into the program.

Despite all of this, Kelsi doesn’t have an ego. A lot of this is because of her lack of self-esteem thanks to Drama Club ringleader Sharpay Evans. Whereas Sharpay is the performer side of the dramatic arts, Kelsi is the creator, the type of person who has no problem letting other people on stage as long as she can help them or create something that way. She sees herself as a creator, an architect giving other people something to work on and mold, like the foundations of a building. In a lot of ways, that reflects her relationships with the Wildcats. This is especially true once Troy gets her out of her shell.

Troy actually calls her the playmaker, and, again, that analogy reflects both her art and who she is herself. She's instrumental in writing the school musicals, of course, and giving all of her peers and, later on, friends a chance to shine. At first, Kelsi doesn’t understand what Troy meant by calling her the playmaker, but he elaborates and tells her that the playmaker makes everyone else look good. Kelsi is the one who sets up plays--hence the basketball analogy--and watches with pride as the drama unfolds on and off the stage. Troy falls in love with Gabriella. Ryan stands up to Sharpay. Sharpay realizes it's all right to have friends and not minions. She really is the unsung hero type, and that suits her just fine.

While she may use the fact that people tend to overlook her and underestimate her to her advantage sometimes, such as hearing things she isn’t necessarily meant to hear, a lot of helping people be the best they can be is (in her opinion) for selfish reasons. Kelsi positively encourages absolutely everyone, even if they're not so great--arguably especially if they're new or haven't done something before. The performing arts and music changed her life completely, and she wants to show that to others and give them a chance as well. Kelsi is the one who actively brings people into her craft the moment anyone shows any sort of hint that they’re interested or they could be good at it (for example, when she volunteers the Wildcats to perform on two different occasions.) Additionally, she pushes people to do their best and reach their full potential no matter what (though not nearly as aggressively as Coach Bolton or even Troy) because deep down, she's uncertain if she's going to live up to all of her expectations or if she's as good as people say. Watching Troy and Gabriella have a whirlwind romance, in a way, is something she's able to take and live vicariously though. This feeling of living vicariously through other people lessens as the series progresses and Ryan gets her out of her shell, but it's still evident even in the final installment. It's a habit Kelsi's trying to break, even if it's hard.

Because music is so important to her, she goes through a lot of strange things she thinks are normal for her craft. Hanging out with Sharpay is the best example, especially since Sharpay has always treated her like a lackey (which she didn't mind until the end of the first movie.) Kelsi has learned to be extremely tolerant to the less-than-tolerant crowd. Ms. Darbus and Sharpay both have that personality trait and Kelsi's been with them so long she's not only gotten used to it, she's actually used it to her advantage--in the first movie, Kelsi is patient with Ms. Darbus during the rehearsal process for the spring musical, playing the piano to accompany all actors who are auditioning. Another example of this tolerance is playing the music for Sharpay’s ramped-up version of “You Are The Music In Me” (just one song written by her that Sharpay’s asked her to transpose into her key) during rehearsals for the Lava Springs Midsummer Night’s talent show. It’s because of this patience that Kelsi’s able to set things in motion; in the first movie, because of her tolerance for Ms. Darbus and the Evans twins, Kelsi is the one who stays behind and gives Troy and Gabriella the impromptu audition that earns them a call-back. In the second movie, because of her tolerance for Sharpay specifically, Kelsi’s also the one who witnesses Troy’s final decision to downgrade his summer job back to being a dishwasher and pull out of the talent show. As soon as she discovers the change in plans, she dashes off to tell the others that Troy’s come to his senses.

Kelsi also isn't just used to Sharpay and other diva-types like her, but aside from a few snide comments when Sharpay's not there or not listening, it doesn't bother her at all. As a matter of fact, not once does she snap at Sharpay--instead she's far more likely to glance at Ryan. The exception to this is when she stands up for herself, of course, but it's never done with animosity or tantrum-like behaviour. She's extremely patient and generally non-confrontational, and it shows in how she's used to working with the Evans twins. Even when the manager of Lava Springs (the country club owned by the Evans family) literally grabs the chocolate pudding out of her hands when talking to her all she does is pout slightly.

She does, however, stand up for herself. It mostly revolves around her friends, of course, because they're important to her. Sharpay tried to sabotage the spring musical auditions during their junior year and Kelsi insists she can play the piano for Troy and Gabriella’s song (that she specifically wrote for them), staring Sharpay down just so they can get their chance. It isn't that Kelsi doesn't care about herself, it's more than she's far more invested in helping others in any way she can--even looking Sharpay in the eye and telling her that yes, she really does want to accompany them. She doesn't even get jealous, either. She channels her feelings and emotions and gives songs out to be about the people singing, not for her at all.

To some, Kelsi might seem a little standoffish because she's so quiet. She lives in her own head--after rehearsal at Lava Springs in movie 2 she immediately gets up and marches out, still staring at her music while everyone is hanging out and congratulating each other. She's invested in the one thing she loves more than life itself: music. She isn't afraid to let anyone know, either.

Kelsi actually tends not to show much emotion unless it's on the subject of music, and then it's as if she wears her heart on her sleeve. Her personality changes most because of this--she's quiet and shy and reserved until she's near a piano or behind her turntables. She's most comfortable in places like the music room, where she can be herself and just let her mind work. That's not to say she transforms into a cheery head-cheerleader type when she's within a five foot radius of a baby grand, of course. It's more that because she's in her element she feels comfortable and safe. By the end of the third movie that sense of comfort extends to whenever she’s with the Wildcats, especially Ryan. It takes a long time of not being noticed to warm up to other people and for her to see that people aren't notes on a scale or lyrics in a song book.

When talking about music, as stated before, she's much more of an active listener. She's not afraid to put herself out there (so long as it's not performing) so much as she assumes she's going to accompany Sharpay and Ryan in 'What I've Been Looking For' during auditions for the spring musical junior year. When turned down, it shows on her face that she's incredibly disappointed, especially since it’s her own song and the first time her music will be used in a school production. Still, that doesn't stop her from doing what she loves. The moment that she discovers that Troy and Gabriella are interested in the musical and earn a callback, she nearly trips over herself in haste to make rehearsal schedules, letting the duo know that she’s always practicing in the mornings and after school and even sometimes skipping Biology class. She even goes as far as to invite them to breakfast at her house if that’s better for them. One thing that can be said about Kelsi is that she’s incredibly passionate about music and about the way her life is shaped in song, but no one stops her when she starts making plans and sharing her excitement. In fact, Ryan later on encourages her to do just that--one of the most spectacular examples of music being the one thing that truly makes her feel comfortable is during her senior year when she and Ryan share a piano bench before school in the music room. Kelsi feels comfortable enough to share a new song with him before anyone else and she feels safe enough talking about it to Ryan that she actually starts rambling, getting excited that someone else is interested in composing and knowing that she won’t be judged for getting wrapped up in her work. She's easily excitable when work like that comes up and isn't afraid to show it, especially since she has a tad more confidence in her ability by the end of it all thanks to Ryan. She'll jump at the chance for people to do what she loves--during the summer, she makes plans in her head about how everyone on the junior staff at Lava Springs can be involved in the talent show (“You two can be the leads, Chad can sing back-up and everyone can dance...”.) Even when it’s not specifically her expertise, she is the encourager of the group, engaging people to dance during ‘Work This Out’, and assuring people that Ryan will help with dance and she'll help them before the talent show. She's a very good teacher as well which is displayed by her ability to teach Troy numerous songs in a short time space (sometimes an hour only) throughout the movie series.

Kelsi will do anything to save what she thinks is important: the musicals. Thinking fast under pressure, she immediately signs up the entire class after Sharpay mentions she wanted to do a one-woman show for the spring show during their senior year. Even if the others immediately started objecting (save for her best friend Ryan), Kelsi is adamant that they should do at least this one last thing together. She feels invested in the Wildcats because they're the only friends she's ever really known.

She's also incredibly invested in everything working out and everyone being a team--she even starts attending basketball games and the like when Troy befriends her and the Wildcats posse forms. Kelsi believes in everybody sticking together, so much so that even when Troy temporary abandons his friends to spend his time with Sharpay and the U of A Redhawks (courtesy of connections via the Evans family) during the summer, she doesn’t give up on him. When they get the letter saying junior staff members can't participate in the Lava Springs talent show, she doesn't blame Troy for not being around. Instead, it's a silent 'I'm not mad at you, I'm disappointed' sort of stare that really seems to snap Troy out of it. It’s the fact that Kelsi is the one friend of Troy’s that didn’t burn the bridge with him immediately that made him realize he was making a mistake.

Kelsi has the courage to face everyone when they're arguing--it's just that, for the most part, she keeps to herself and lets others make plays. After all, she is the 'playmaker.' She's not calculating, however, she's just extremely perceptive. She sees herself as a side/minor character even in her life, and it's up to her to support the leads.

Her only true friend and solace is Ryan. The closest relationship she's ever had, Ryan is the one that sees a teeny different side of her. When Kelsi signs them up for the senior year's musical he's the only person not protesting until the resident Wildcat parents known as Troy and Gabriella step in. Ryan believing in her is what ultimately gives her the confidence to dress better, be more confident, and grow into part of the team. She's extremely protective of her work--she refuses to give Sharpay the song she wrote specifically for Troy and Gabriella--but she trusts Ryan enough with her things and composing methods. A huge indicator of the amount of trust she has for him is based on her decision to invite him to come into the music room early before school. The music room is a place that is ultimately Kelsi’s safe haven and very, very few people are ever seen in the room with her and her work. Kelsi is arguably the most supportive of Ryan, and vice-versa. When Ms. Darbus first announces to her students that there are four nominees up for a Juilliard scholarship, Kelsi is less than confident that she’s one of them. As soon as Ryan’s name is announced, her face lights up in excitement for her best friend. However, the moment she realizes that she, too, is nominated, Ryan gives her a look that clearly says she deserves it and that he never had any doubt. Even Ms. Darbus knows that they are each other’s other half as she names them composer and choreographer of the show and before she can even elaborate they immediately start planning like they were waiting their whole lives for this moment. Though not girly by any means, Kelsi's shown to be incredibly domestic around Ryan especially in the music room sharing a pot of tea while Kelsi shares a new song with him. Kelsi and Ryan are the type of friends who know just what to say to one another without really saying anything at all; a good example of this is when Kelsi begins to spiral into her ramblings about how much work she still has left for the musical and Ryan tactfully cuts her off with an invitation to their senior prom. Despite the fact that they’re both at odds with each other over the competition for the Juilliard scholarship, they cheer each other up with the line 'We'll be alright even if we're miles apart.' It’s evident that they’re both a little worried about what the future holds for them (and the idea of separating), “but whatever happens, I know I’ve got you.”

Essentially, while at first Kelsi looks to be a typical slightly quiet, artsy girl, she's so much more--she's dedicated, intelligent, encouraging and loving. It just so happens she really is that talented. The only problem is that inspiration can strike her literally anywhere, and she's maybe a little on the clumsy side. Just a little. Trusting her first instincts have proven good so far, such as signing everyone up and improvising when Rocketman comes in instead of Troy during the senior musical, but she's still growing into who she could potentially be. Still, at the bottom of all of it? She's a playmaker. And a really, really good one.

- ★ COURT ALLIANCE: Seelie. Kelsi's personality fits with all four of the sayings.

1. Death before Dishonour: She's never backed out of a difficult situation and has tried to be as honest as possible. It's apparent mostly in her music--she never compromises herself or her songs and would never, ever be untrustworthy. She certainly plays by the rules.

2 & 3. Love Conquers All & Beauty is Life: Kelsi's bread and butter. She writes about true love all the time--and has certainly witnessed it, thanks to being in a Disney movie Troy and Gabriella. As for beauty? If there wasn't beauty in life, she would probably not even write songs.

4. Never Forget a Debt: She'll never forget when Troy helped her up from tripping over the piano, and how him helping her helped all of them in the long run. She helps him as much as he possibly can just because he remembers her name and is a jock, not a drama club participant. She purposely goes out of her way to help him after that, even in the first movie when she's still too-shy and in her shell.

- ★ ABILITIES:
+COMPOSITION Accepted into Juilliard of all places, one of Kelsi's biggest strengths is her music. Able to write two entire musicals and one showcase piece in just a little over a year, she's quite capable of holding her own against adults.
+CONDUCTING Her play, her rules. Or more accurately--her play, her instructions on how to play in the orchestra pit. When she's not playing herself, of course.
+MUSIC Her second biggest strength is piano. Her favourite to compose on and play, but she's also seen with a music mixer and is capable of at least some percussion. NOTE: She's a musical wunderkid thanks to Disney Movie magic, so I headcanon that she can at least play some Violin and Flute as well. In order to compose for something it's easier if you know a little bit of how to play it yourself, after all.
+SONG AND DANCE While definitely not her strong suit, and despite being a little clumsy, she can sing and dance--the dancing bit, though, goes to Ryan. She's not winning Dancing with the Stars but it's still above average for a normal 18 year old.
-NORMAL Kelsi is exactly what it says on the tin--completely normal, save for her composing abilities. She has no special powers, no laser beams out of her eyes, and even wears glasses constantly due to poor vision.
- ★ INVENTORY: 1. 1 Set of clothes (Fall, college hipster style)
2. 1 chai tea latte courtesy of Starbucks
3. A suitably hipster mail carrier bag containing two textbooks, a laptop, various small notebooks, pencils, an iphone (and headphones of course), butterscotch candy and a small folder of sheet music
4. A wallet (student ID, etc, 30 bucks in cash)

( SAMPLES )
- ★ NETWORK SAMPLE: Okay. [ Kelsi takes a deep breath, trying not to look too frazzled. She's feasted, woken up, and...Nope. She's still here. She takes a quick breath and offers a shy, slightly waning smile to the network of lockets. ] So this isn't a dream, that's--great. [ That's one word for it ] Which means if we're all here for a very long time, it's probably a good idea to say hi? So...

[ A little awkward, but she lifts her hand in greeting, the smile completely gone after her hand moves to fall on her lap. ] Hi. I'm Kelsi, and if there are any Wildcats out there, please let me know? At first I thought this was a dream, except normally my dreams involve East High still, and musical signups, and--oh! Right. I also wanted to know if anyone here has a good singing voice. And maybe if you were okay with letting me hear it?

It's not for something weird! I promise, I promise, it's just--If I'm going to be here for a while, I might as well do something. Like write, right? [ Wow Kels, way to not tell people what you actually do. ]

- ★ LOG SAMPLE: here!