Disney Musicals in Schools Showcase at Dr. Phillips Center

Local elementary schools are gearing up to dazzle audiences at the 2024 Disney Musical in Schools Student Share Celebration, set to take place on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. After four months of dedicated preparation, students will take the stage to showcase the magic they’ve cultivated through the Disney Musicals in Schools program.

This initiative, facilitated by the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, offers a 17-week musical theater residency at no cost to participating schools. Under the guidance of teaching artists from the Dr. Phillips Center, students delve into the world of musical theater, honing their skills and creativity.

In 2015, the Dr. Phillips Center joined forces with Disney Theatrical Group to introduce the Disney Musicals in Schools program to the Orlando area. With a mission to establish sustainable musical theater programs in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties, this partnership has flourished over the years. Originally developed by Disney Theatrical Group in 2009, the program has since expanded into a national network of affiliate organizations.

Ryan Simpson, education director of Dr. Phillips Center, emphasizes the initiative’s broader goals, stating, “This initiative is about igniting parents, administrators, and students to imagine and foster a sense of possibility—all while building sustainable musical theater programs across Central Florida.”

Since its inception at the Dr. Phillips Center, over 4,000 students from 28 Title I elementary schools across three counties have participated in the program, showcasing its impact and reach within the community.

Lisa Mitchell, Disney Theatrical Group’s Director of Education and Audience Engagement, commends the Dr. Phillips Center for its efforts in nurturing student creativity and building arts education programs in under-resourced schools. She notes, “It’s thrilling to see school theater seeded by Disney Musicals in Schools blossoming into quality.”

At the Student Share Celebration, scheduled for May 7, 2024, five schools—Idyllwilde Elementary, Lake Silver Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary, and Riverside Elementary—will enchant the audience with scenes from their selected Disney KIDS musicals at the Walt Disney Theater.

This program receives generous support from Walt Disney World and AdventHealth, highlighting the community’s commitment to enriching education through the arts.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the show commencing at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free for all, with no reservations required. Families and friends are encouraged to attend and celebrate the remarkable talents of local students.