Disney has launched its new Stage Connect program, a free online course that will train teachers on how to produce a musical. The program, from Disney Musicals in Schools, will also offer elementary schools free performance rights and materials to a 30-minute Disney musical created specifically for elementary school performers.
Schools can choose from the following titles: 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, The Aristocats, Finding Nemo, Frozen, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, and Winnie the Pooh. Stage Connect will then provide teachers with an online course on show producing—as well as online resources, including demonstration videos hosted by Broadway's The Lion King stars L. Steven Taylor and Bonita J. Hamilton, live webinars, and support from Disney teaching artists who will guide teachers through all aspects of putting on a show.
For the past 16 years, the Disney Musicals in Schools program has helped create musical theatre programs in public elementary schools. In-person programs are now available in 22 cities across the U.S. and U.K. through collaborations with local performing arts organizations. Over 100,000 kids have performed in their first school musical though the program.
Schools have to apply to be part of Stage Connect. Applications for the 26-27 school year are now open. Any public elementary school or charter school is eligible to apply. Up to 200 schools will be selected. Chosen schools must commit a team of four teachers or other school staff to the program.
Interested educators can visit DisneyMusicalsinSchools.com to apply.
Seventy one elementary schools have been selected to be part of this first phase of the Stage Connect program: Arizona's Capitol Elementary and Hidden Hills Elementary School; Arkansas' Sugar Creek Arts Academy; California's Ambler Ave Elementary School, Chandler Elementary School, Dunsmore Elementary School, Dyer Kelly Elementary, El Toro Health Science Academy, Imperial Beach Charter School, John Muir Elementary, Los Padres Elementary, Midland Elementary School, Mission Elementary School, New Republic Elementary, Oakbrook Academy of the Arts, Searles Elementary, Theodore Vick Elementary School, WD Hall; Florida's Endeavour Elementary School and Sutherland Elementary; Georgia's Michelle Obama STEM Academy Elementary, Sweetwater Elementary School, White Oak Elementary, and Fair Street International Academy; Illinois' Alex Haley Academy, Eldorado Elementary School, Funston Elementary, and Grover Cleveland Elementary; Indiana's Eastern Greene Elementary, Frances Slocum Elementary School, Green Valley Elementary, and Liberty Elementary School; Kentucky's Greenup County Schools and West Irvine Elementary School; Louisiana's Oak Grove Primary; Maryland's Cooper Lane Elementary School, Delmar Elementary, District Heights Elementary school, and Greensboro Elementary; Nevada's Aggie Roberts Elementary School and Alyce Taylor Elementary School; Michigan's Maybury Elementary; New Jersey's Lincoln Elementary School; New York's Boston Valley Elementary School, Hamilton Elementary, Horace Mann Elementary, and West Elementary School; North Carolina's Alderman Road Elementary, C. Wayne Collier Elementary, G.R. Edwards Elementary, Moore Montessori Community School, Oakwood Elementary School, Royal Oaks School of the Arts, Shamrock Gardens Elementary, and West Marion Elementary School; Ohio's Everest Elementary School and Kiser Elementary; Pennsylvania's Avon Grove Charter School; South Carolina's Bowen's Corner Elementary School and Millbrook elementary; Texas' Trinity Basin Preparatory West, Butler Elementary, Carol Holt Elementary, Harry Shimotsu Elementary, Mary Jo Sheppard Elementary and Pecan Springs Elementary; Utah's Riverdale Elementary, Virginia's Cradock Elementary School; Washington's Brownsville Elementary School; West Virginia's Suncrest Elementary School; and Wisconsin's Jefferson Elementary School.
