Hope Horne
Disney Musicals in Schools: A unique musical theater opportunity for local students
May 9, 2024
Above: Henderson Elementary School performing "One by One/Circle of Life" from "Disney's The Lion King."
On Tuesday, May 7, hundreds of local elementary students had the amazing opportunity to perform on Capitol Theater stage through the Disney Musicals in Schools program. The one-hour Student Share Celebration featured musical selections prepared by the students this semester. Students from the following five Madison-area schools starred in the show, presenting songs from Disney’s “Finding Nemo KIDS,” “Disney’s The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid JR.”
- Hawthorne Elementary School
- Nuestro Mundo Elementary School
- Henderson Elementary School
- Leopold Community School
- Mendota Elementary School
“It was exciting to welcome students for their Overture Center debut!” said Karra Beach, director of Broadway engagement programs. “Students and families celebrated the joy of creativity and the unforgettable experience of seeing these young artists shine.”
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Nuestro Mundo Community School performing "Under the Sea" from "Disney's The Little Mermaid JR." -
Nuestro Mundo Community School performing "Under the Sea" from "Disney's The Little Mermaid JR." -
Hawthorne Elementary School performing "Big Blue World" from "Disney's Finding Nemo KIDS." -
Hawthorne Elementary School performing "Big Blue World" from "Disney's Finding Nemo KIDS." -
Henderson Elementary School performing "One by One/Circle of Life" from "Disney's The Lion King."
Overture Center works alongside Disney Theatrical Group to bring the Disney Musicals in Schools program to the Madison area. The program provides local students with a unique musical theater experience that promotes creativity, self-confidence and expression and equitable access to the arts through adapted Disney musicals.
Disney KIDS musicals, created in partnership with Music Theater International, are 30-minute musicals designed for elementary school performers and have been adapted from the classic Disney films: “101 Dalmatians,” “Aladdin,” “Finding Nemo,” “Frozen,” “The Aristocats,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Lion King” and “Winnie the Pooh.”
Musical theater cultivates and promotes invaluable teamwork and collaboration skills, teaching students how to work harmoniously with others towards a shared artistic vision, an essential life skill used beyond the stage.
“Participation in the musical productions opens a world of possibility for our students. The cast and crew members discover talents and responsibilities that they weren't aware of, and they consistently grow in unexpected ways, as individuals and as a team,” said Kathy Barry Chamberlain, a teacher at Mendota Elementary School. “Having the opportunity to perform on the Overture stage is the culmination and celebration of all of their hard work."
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Mendota Elementary School performing "Go With the Flow" from "Disney's Finding Nemo KIDS." -
Mendota Elementary School performing "Go With the Flow" from "Disney's Finding Nemo KIDS." -
Leopold Elementary performing "Fish Are Friends, Not Food" from "Disney's Finding Nemo KIDS." -
Leopold Elementary performing "Fish Are Friends, Not Food" from "Disney's Finding Nemo KIDS."
Schools that participate in the Disney Musicals in Schools program receive a 17-week musical theater residency in their first year, led by a team of teaching artists trained by Disney Theatrical Group and Overture Center.
Each school also receives performance rights and educational support materials at no cost. Support is provided for licensing and materials in the second and third years of participation as well.
Overture Center is among 20 cities in the US and two in the UK collaborating with Disney Musicals in Schools.
Disney Musicals in Schools was launched in 2010 in response to Disney Theatrical Group’s concern that under-resourced public elementary schools were not afforded equitable access to the arts. After successfully offering the program in New York City schools, Disney Theatrical Group began collaborating with organizations in other communities across the United States.
Overture Center’s Disney Musicals in Schools program is sponsored by Starion Bank.
Representatives of Starion Bank and Overture's Development Team attending this year's student share