Joe Serafini

{{Infobox person

| name = Joseph Serafini

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Joseph Ronald Serafini

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1998|01|22}}

| birth_place = Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| other names =

| occupation = Actor

| years_active = 2005–present

| alma_mater = University of Michigan

| website = {{url|https://www.joe-serafini.com}}

}}

Joseph Ronald Serafini (born January 22, 1998{{Cite instagram |user=joe_serafini_|postid=B7pR9Ctli3z|title=a truly GOLDEN birthday. thank you to everyone for all the love you've been sending my way today!!! I feel it and I appreciate it more than you know 💖 |date=January 22, 2020|accessdate=June 3, 2021}}) is an American actor. He plays Seb Matthew-Smith in the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Early life and education

Serafini is from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. He was a longtime performer at the Pittsburgh CLO Academy (Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera), where he performed with their "Mini Stars" touring vocal group and earned a Gene Kelly Award scholarship.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Announcing-the-Winners-of-Pittsburgh-CLOs-2016-Gene-Kelly-Awards-20160529|title=Announcing the Winners of Pittsburgh CLO's 2016 Gene Kelly Awards!|journal=Broadway World|date=29 May 2016|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=December 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195457/https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Announcing-the-Winners-of-Pittsburgh-CLOs-2016-Gene-Kelly-Awards-20160529|url-status=live}} He graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2016.{{Cite web|title=Joe Serafini Visits With BPHS Music Students|url=https://www.bpsd.org/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=6YYA0I2&dasi=2I0|access-date=2022-01-13|website=www.bpsd.org|language=en|archive-date=January 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113093106/https://www.bpsd.org/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=6YYA0I2&dasi=2I0|url-status=live}} He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2020.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2019/11/01/Tuned-In-Pittsburgh-ties-in-High-School-Musical-and-Encore-on-Disney-ABC-s-Little-Mermaid-Live-tunes-up/stories/201911010024|title=Tuned In: Pittsburgh ties in 'High School Musical' and 'Encore!' on Disney+; ABC's 'Little Mermaid Live!' tunes up|journal=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|first=Rob|last=Owen|date=31 October 2019|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=December 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206114355/https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2019/11/01/Tuned-In-Pittsburgh-ties-in-High-School-Musical-and-Encore-on-Disney-ABC-s-Little-Mermaid-Live-tunes-up/stories/201911010024|url-status=live}}

Career

During his time with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO), he performed in several productions including A Musical Christmas Carol, Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up, Oliver!, Les Misérables, The Sound of Music, Into the Woods, and Anything Goes.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pittsburghclo.org/artistdatabase/artists/artist/8502|title=Joseph Serafini|website=Pittsburgh CLO|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=February 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217202650/http://www.pittsburghclo.org/artistdatabase/artists/artist/8502|url-status=live}} He currently teaches master classes there.{{Cite web|url=https://allevents.in/pittsburgh/master-class-with-joe-serafini/200018477173545|title=Master Class with Joe Serafini|website=All Events|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=February 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217202653/https://allevents.in/pittsburgh/master-class-with-joe-serafini/200018477173545|url-status=live}} Outside of the CLO, his stage roles include The Music Man concert at Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington D.C. and The Burnt Part Boys with the Bald Theatre Company. He won a Level II Theatre Award at National YoungArts Week in Miami.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bpsd.org/protected/articleView.aspx?iid=6GYUU3Y&dasi=2I0|title=BPHS Senior Receives National Theatre Award|website=BPSD|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=December 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195459/https://www.bpsd.org/protected/articleView.aspx?iid=6GYUU3Y&dasi=2I0|url-status=live}}

Serafini has starred in children's series Scientastic! He began starring in the recurring role Seb Matthew-Smith in Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series in 2019. That December, it was announced he would be promoted to series regular for season 2.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.theatreartlife.com/lifestyle/joe-serafini-high-school-musical/|title=Joe Serafini: On High School Musical & Serving The Larger Story|journal=Theatre Art Life|first=Angela|last=Tricarico|date=January 8, 2020|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=February 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217202654/https://www.theatreartlife.com/lifestyle/joe-serafini-high-school-musical/|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-12-05/high-school-musical-the-musical-the-series-disney-plus-joe-serafini|title='High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' ups Joe Serafini to series regular|journal=Los Angeles Times|first=Christi|last=Carras|date=5 December 2019|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327005207/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-12-05/high-school-musical-the-musical-the-series-disney-plus-joe-serafini|url-status=live}} Serafini appeared in a guest role in the third season. On September 23, 2022, he and Andrew Barth Feldman released "In My Head", a duet written by songwriters Daniel Mertzlufft and Jacob Ryan Smith about the budding romance between two young men.{{cite web | url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Andrew-Barth-Feldman-Joe-Serafini-Share-New-Single-In-My-Head-20220923 | title=Andrew Barth Feldman & Joe Serafini Share New Single 'In My Head' | access-date=September 23, 2022 | archive-date=September 23, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923162935/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Andrew-Barth-Feldman-Joe-Serafini-Share-New-Single-In-My-Head-20220923 | url-status=live }}

Personal life

In 2020, Serafini stated that he is "bisexual, if I have to give a label."{{Cite journal|url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/joe-serafini-seb-hsmtmts-finale-season-2|title=Joe Serafini is much more than 'Gay Sharpay'|journal=MEL Magazine|first=Joseph|last=Longo|date=9 January 2020|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=July 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720154711/https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/joe-serafini-seb-hsmtmts-finale-season-2|url-status=live}} Since late 2019 he has been in a relationship with fellow High School Musical: The Musical: The Series actor Frankie Rodriguez, who plays his character's love interest on the show.{{Cite web|last=Gibson|first=Kelsie|date=2021-05-14|title=HSMTMTS Stars Frankie Rodriguez and Joe Serafini Have a Sweet Romance On and Off Screen|url=https://www.popsugar.com/node/48321990|access-date=2021-05-15|website=POPSUGAR Celebrity|language=en-US}}

Stage

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! Venue
2005–2009 \| A Musical Christmas Carol \| Tiny Tim / Turkey Boy \| Byham Theater
2008 \| Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up \| Michael Darling \| Benedum Center{{Cite journal\|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/cathy-rigby-soars-again-in-peter-pan-starting-june-21-at-pittsburgh-clo-com-151123\|title=Cathy Rigby Soars Again in Peter Pan, Starting June 21 at Pittsburgh CLO\|journal=Playbill\|first=Kenneth\|last=Jones\|date=21 June 2008\|access-date=17 February 2020\|archive-date=February 17, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217200805/http://www.playbill.com/article/cathy-rigby-soars-again-in-peter-pan-starting-june-21-at-pittsburgh-clo-com-151123\|url-status=live}}
2009 \| Les Misérables \| Gavroche \| Benedum Center{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Les-Miserables-Comes-To-Pittsburgh-77719-At-The-Benedum-Center-20090623\|title=Les Miserables Comes To Pittsburgh 7/7-7/19 At The Benedum Center\|journal=Broadway World\|date=23 June 2009\|access-date=17 February 2020\|archive-date=December 18, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195455/https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Les-Miserables-Comes-To-Pittsburgh-77719-At-The-Benedum-Center-20090623\|url-status=live}}
2009 \| The Music Man concert \| Winthrop \| Kennedy Center Concert Hall{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/article/Horman-Serafini-Join-Luker-and-Cassidy-in-NSO-Pops-MUSIC-MAN-Concert-1127-1128-20091120\|title=Horman & Serafini Join Luker and Cassidy in NSO Pops MUSIC MAN Concert, 11/27 & 11/28\|journal=Broadway World\|date=20 November 2009\|access-date=17 February 2020\|archive-date=December 18, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195457/https://www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/article/Horman-Serafini-Join-Luker-and-Cassidy-in-NSO-Pops-MUSIC-MAN-Concert-1127-1128-20091120\|url-status=live}}
2010 \| Oliver! \| Oliver Twist \| Benedum Center{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.theatermania.com/pittsburgh-theater/news/joseph-serafini-to-star-in-pittsburgh-clos-oliver_24356.html\|title=Joseph Serafini To Star In Pittsburgh CLO's Oliver!\|journal=Theater Mania\|first=Dan\|last=Bacalzo\|date=21 January 2010\|access-date=17 February 2020\|archive-date=February 17, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217193755/https://www.theatermania.com/pittsburgh-theater/news/joseph-serafini-to-star-in-pittsburgh-clos-oliver_24356.html\|url-status=live}}
2011 \| The Sound of Music \| Kurt von Trapp \| Benedum Center{{Cite journal\|url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/sound-of-music-just-the-start-of-some-acting-journeys/\|title='Sound of Music' just the start of some acting journeys\|journal=Trib\|first=Alice\|last=T. Carter\|date=17 July 2011\|access-date=17 February 2020\|archive-date=December 18, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195457/https://archive.triblive.com/news/sound-of-music-just-the-start-of-some-acting-journeys/\|url-status=live}}
2012 \| The Burnt Part Boys \| \| Grey Box Theatre{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/BALD-Theatre-Premieres-THE-BURNT-PART-BOYS-831-98-20120830\|title=BALD Theatre Premieres THE BURNT PART BOYS, Now thru 9/8\|journal=Broadway World\|date=31 August 2012\|access-date=17 February 2020\|archive-date=December 18, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195501/https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/BALD-Theatre-Premieres-THE-BURNT-PART-BOYS-831-98-20120830\|url-status=live}}
2013 \| Into the Woods \| Jack \| New Hazlett Theater{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Pittsburgh-CLO-Academy-Students-to-Perform-INTO-THE-WOODS-1116-20131108\|title=Pittsburgh CLO Academy Students to Perform INTO THE WOODS, 11/16\|journal=Broadway World\|date=8 November 2013\|access-date=17 February 2020\|archive-date=July 1, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701232627/https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Pittsburgh-CLO-Academy-Students-to-Perform-INTO-THE-WOODS-1116-20131108\|url-status=live}}
2014 \| Anything Goes \| Billy Crocker \| New Hazlett Theater{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Pittsburgh-CLO-Academy-Students-to-Perform-ANYTHING-GOES-1115-20141014\|title=Pittsburgh CLO Academy Students to Perform ANYTHING GOES, 11/15\|journal=Broadway World\|date=14 October 2014\|access-date=17 February 2020\|archive-date=December 18, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195459/https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Pittsburgh-CLO-Academy-Students-to-Perform-ANYTHING-GOES-1115-20141014\|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! Venue

2005–2009

| A Musical Christmas Carol

| Tiny Tim / Turkey Boy

| Byham Theater

2008

| Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up

| Michael Darling

| Benedum Center{{Cite journal|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/cathy-rigby-soars-again-in-peter-pan-starting-june-21-at-pittsburgh-clo-com-151123|title=Cathy Rigby Soars Again in Peter Pan, Starting June 21 at Pittsburgh CLO|journal=Playbill|first=Kenneth|last=Jones|date=21 June 2008|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=February 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217200805/http://www.playbill.com/article/cathy-rigby-soars-again-in-peter-pan-starting-june-21-at-pittsburgh-clo-com-151123|url-status=live}}

2009

| Les Misérables

| Gavroche

| Benedum Center{{Cite journal|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Les-Miserables-Comes-To-Pittsburgh-77719-At-The-Benedum-Center-20090623|title=Les Miserables Comes To Pittsburgh 7/7-7/19 At The Benedum Center|journal=Broadway World|date=23 June 2009|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=December 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195455/https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Les-Miserables-Comes-To-Pittsburgh-77719-At-The-Benedum-Center-20090623|url-status=live}}

2009

| The Music Man concert

| Winthrop

| Kennedy Center Concert Hall{{Cite journal|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/article/Horman-Serafini-Join-Luker-and-Cassidy-in-NSO-Pops-MUSIC-MAN-Concert-1127-1128-20091120|title=Horman & Serafini Join Luker and Cassidy in NSO Pops MUSIC MAN Concert, 11/27 & 11/28|journal=Broadway World|date=20 November 2009|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=December 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195457/https://www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/article/Horman-Serafini-Join-Luker-and-Cassidy-in-NSO-Pops-MUSIC-MAN-Concert-1127-1128-20091120|url-status=live}}

2010

| Oliver!

| Oliver Twist

| Benedum Center{{Cite journal|url=https://www.theatermania.com/pittsburgh-theater/news/joseph-serafini-to-star-in-pittsburgh-clos-oliver_24356.html|title=Joseph Serafini To Star In Pittsburgh CLO's Oliver!|journal=Theater Mania|first=Dan|last=Bacalzo|date=21 January 2010|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=February 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217193755/https://www.theatermania.com/pittsburgh-theater/news/joseph-serafini-to-star-in-pittsburgh-clos-oliver_24356.html|url-status=live}}

2011

| The Sound of Music

| Kurt von Trapp

| Benedum Center{{Cite journal|url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/sound-of-music-just-the-start-of-some-acting-journeys/|title='Sound of Music' just the start of some acting journeys|journal=Trib|first=Alice|last=T. Carter|date=17 July 2011|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=December 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195457/https://archive.triblive.com/news/sound-of-music-just-the-start-of-some-acting-journeys/|url-status=live}}

2012

| The Burnt Part Boys

| Grey Box Theatre{{Cite journal|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/BALD-Theatre-Premieres-THE-BURNT-PART-BOYS-831-98-20120830|title=BALD Theatre Premieres THE BURNT PART BOYS, Now thru 9/8|journal=Broadway World|date=31 August 2012|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=December 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195501/https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/BALD-Theatre-Premieres-THE-BURNT-PART-BOYS-831-98-20120830|url-status=live}}

2013

| Into the Woods

| Jack

| New Hazlett Theater{{Cite journal|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Pittsburgh-CLO-Academy-Students-to-Perform-INTO-THE-WOODS-1116-20131108|title=Pittsburgh CLO Academy Students to Perform INTO THE WOODS, 11/16|journal=Broadway World|date=8 November 2013|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=July 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701232627/https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Pittsburgh-CLO-Academy-Students-to-Perform-INTO-THE-WOODS-1116-20131108|url-status=live}}

2014

| Anything Goes

| Billy Crocker

| New Hazlett Theater{{Cite journal|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Pittsburgh-CLO-Academy-Students-to-Perform-ANYTHING-GOES-1115-20141014|title=Pittsburgh CLO Academy Students to Perform ANYTHING GOES, 11/15|journal=Broadway World|date=14 October 2014|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=December 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195459/https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Pittsburgh-CLO-Academy-Students-to-Perform-ANYTHING-GOES-1115-20141014|url-status=live}}

Filmography

class="wikitable unsortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes
2010 \| Scientastic! \| Axel \|
2019–2023 \| High School Musical: The Musical: The Series \| Seb Matthew-Smith \| Recurring role (season 1 & 4) Main role (season 2) Guest star (season 3)

class="wikitable unsortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

2010

| Scientastic!

| Axel

2019–2023

| High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

| Seb Matthew-Smith

| Recurring role (season 1 & 4)
Main role (season 2)
Guest star (season 3)

Discography

All song credits adapted from Spotify and Apple Music.{{Cite web |title=Joe Serafini - Spotify |url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/6fu9TecMw6TInkRRyXObeu?si=kd4_T7uKQ-2OmobbbikvDQ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Spotify}}{{Cite web |title=Joe Serafini on Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/us/artist/joe-serafini/1497625266 |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Apple Music |language=en-US}}

= Singles =

== As lead artist ==

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Title

!Album

!Writer(s)

!Producer(s)

rowspan="3"|2024

|“Evergreen Love”

|Evergreen Love

|Joe Serafini, Lauren Gaynor, Nick Anton

|{{n/a|No producer credited}}

"Take it Slow"

| rowspan="2"{{n/a|Non-album singles}}

|Drew Louis, Jayelle, Joe Serafini

|Drew Louis

"That Special"| "That Special"

|Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Joe Serafini

|Matthew Tishler

2021

| "The Climb"

| High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Soundtrack: Season 2

| Jessi Alexander, Jon Mabe

| Tishler

== As featured artist ==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:left;"

! scope="col" style="width:2em;" | Year

! scope="col"| Title

! scope="col" style="width:6em;" | Album

rowspan="2"|2023

| "On My Mind"
(Ben Ward, Joe Serafini)

| You and I

"Over Again"
(Frankie Rodriguez, Joe Serafini)

| High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Soundtrack: The Final Season

2022

| "Wouldn't Change a Thing"
(Adrian Lyles, Frankie Rodriguez, Joe Serafini, Saylor Bell)

| High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Soundtrack: Season 3

rowspan="2"|2020

| "Feliz Navidad"
(Frankie Rodriguez, Joe Serafini)

| rowspan="2" | High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special: The Soundtrack

"That's Christmas to Me"
(Frankie Rodriguez, Kate Reinders, Julia Lester, Joe Serafini)

= Extended plays =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
style="width:16em;"\| Title ! style="width:25em;"\| Details
scope="row"\| Evergreen Love \| Released: November 8, 2024 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming {{hidden\|Track listing\| "Evergreen Love” "Snowman” "This Christmas” "The Christmas Song" }}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

style="width:16em;"| Title

! style="width:25em;"| Details

scope="row"| Evergreen Love