From 'High School Musical' to 'Glee,' movies and TV shows that depict high schoolers that just want to burst into song have always been an audience favorite.

The new show 'Rise' may just be the next big thing. Damon J. Gillespie, who plays the quarterback-turned-theater-star, says it's different than shows that came before it. "You can’t describe this show with jazz hands," Gillespie told Teen Vogue. "We don’t like, burst into song because we need to express our emotions through song."

The star explains that audiences will see the “entire truth” of high school life. "I think they’ll be surprised to see how accurate it is, and how accurately the story is told with all the stress, all the triumph and all the challenges of putting on a high school musical," Gillespie said. “This is no way kitschy."

You can watch 'Rise' Tuesdays on NBC and catch up on the pilot episode here.