ORLANDO, Fla. — Disney and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts are celebrating 10 years of expanding arts education in Central Florida through the Disney Musicals in Schools program.
The program, a collaboration between Dr. Phillips Center, Walt Disney World and Disney Theatrical Group, provides elementary schools with free scripts, performance materials and coaching to help schools launch theater programs and stage productions for students.
As part of the anniversary celebration, students from Orange and Osceola counties recently performed on the Walt Disney Theater stage during the annual Student Share event at Dr. Phillips Center.
The event gave students the opportunity to perform Disney musical numbers they had practiced for months in front of family members, friends and more than 200 Disney VoluntEARS.
“A decade in, we’ve seen firsthand what happens when students are given the space to create,” said Ryan Simpson in a statement. “Through our partnership with Disney, we’ve helped schools across Central Florida build lasting theatre programs that go beyond teaching performance.”
According to Disney and Dr. Phillips Center, the program has impacted around 6,000 students across 36 schools in Central Florida over the past decade.
“Disney Musicals in Schools has helped students across Central Florida discover the confidence and creativity that comes from stepping onto a stage,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown.
The program launched nationally in 2009 through Disney Theatrical Group and focuses on building sustainable theater programs in public elementary schools.
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