Having recently acquired some national fame, Emily Jordan has been chosen to helm the brand new performing arts program at West Covina Central Middle School. But as difficult as it is to say goodbye to her beloved Lone Cactus students and faculty in Temecula, it is most certainly going to be much harder, perhaps even devastatingly so, on the ones that she is leaving behind. Principal Julius Phillipa nearly tears up each time he thinks about living only with the memory of his rising-star drama teacher, but deep down he knows it's all for the best. And thus, the Emily Jordan era at West Covina Central Middle begins.

As Emily Jordan arrives at West Covina Central Middle School to begin her first semester as Drama Director, Music Teacher Franklin T. Hendrix excitedly organizes a meeting for her to meet the other members of their new Performing Arts Program faculty. Not everyone is as thrilled to welcome Emily as Franklin is, but she marches onward unabashed, eagerly awaiting the first day of school.

Making herself at home in her new environment, Emily immediately hits it off with her students at West Covina Central. Most are already ecstatic about imitating animals in acting class and listening to lectures on boybands, but she hopes the ones that aren't will come around soon. Emily also meets her faculty choreographer, who has extensive experience.

The time has come for the faculty to decide the manner in which they will kick off their new Performing Arts Department, so Principal Steven Merriweather calls Emily and her creative team to his office to hash out the plan for the Gala. Because of pressure from the Superintendent, as well as community expectations for a powerful showing, the stakes are high to deliver, and Emily has just the idea to bring the house down.

In an effort to promote unity throughout the performing arts faculty staff, Emily organizes a Brunch and invites all of the teachers, to enjoy a day off together and get to know each other better. It's a day that none of them will forget... or remember.

As rehearsals for the Gala loom closer, things are simultaneously settling in, and racing forward, at West Covina Central.

West Covina Central students are diving headfirst into rehearsals for the opening night gala and spirits are high. Emily guides the student to find their own voices, while also readying her own song to be the headliner, and Franklin may have an X-Box or two in the closet.

Upon seeing some discrepancies in Emily's supposed work history, Claire decides to go down to Temecula to question the Lone Cactus Principal, Julius Phillipa, in an attempt to uncover the truth. Meanwhile Emily has troubles of her own as Kendra stops showing up for rehearsals and some school days. On the day of the Gala, she leaves the school in search of Kendra during the all important final dress rehearsal, leaving Franklin alone to deal with all of their production problems.

With all of the teachers notably absent on the day of the show, the West Covina Central students have to finish putting the Gala together themselves. Claire returns from Temecula, Emily tries to track down Kendra, and Franklin is somewhere, in no state to be productive.

The long awaited Program Opening Night Gala is finally here at West Covina Central Middle School, and the turn out for the show is fantastic. Time to finally break out those box-steps.