Theatre Under The Stars is excited to announce a new partnership with Disney Musicals in Schools! Disney Musicals in Schools ignites a passion for storytelling by building sustainable theater programs in public elementary schools. By providing free performance materials and free professional development to participating teachers, Disney Musicals in Schools has helped schools across the US and UK launch new theater programs, inspiring the next generation of storytellers, artists and audiences. 

Beginning in August, public elementary schools from around the Greater Houston Area will be able to apply to participate in this new program.  

Applications are now open, apply today by clicking below!

HAVE QUESTIONS

Check out our FAQs below. Have a question that isn’t covered there? Contact TUTS Education Director, Adavion Wayne by email at adavion.wayne@tuts.org.

TUTS Disney Musicals in Schools FAQ

What Are the Goals of Disney Musicals in Schools?

The goals of Disney Musicals in Schools are to:

• Create sustainable musical theater programs in public elementary schools.
• Provide school faculty with the training and tools necessary to support student performance and production, and to empower them to do so.
• Develop a critical awareness and appreciation of the arts within the school.
• Develop a strong community including students, parents, faculty, staff, and neighbors.
• Expose students and school faculty to the wide spectrum of skills that are developed when producing a piece of musical theater, including: critical thinking, problem solving, ensemble building, communication, self-confidence, and interpersonal skills

Are There any Costs for Participating Schools?

Disney Musicals in Schools is free to recipient schools and includes: performance rights for one year to the Disney KIDS musical of the school’s choice; a free ShowKit of materials including Director’s Guides, Student Scripts, and more. Additional expenses (including, but not limited to: production budgets, teacher salaries, and student transportation) are the school’s responsibility and are not included in the program.

How Does Disney Musicals in Schools Work Toward Sustainability?

Disney Musicals in Schools is carefully structured to provide a school team with the professional development necessary to support student theater productions in future years. By providing high-quality, in-depth support, teachers are equipped to continue producing a show year after year.

Successful “graduates” of the Disney Musicals in Schools program are invited to participate in two years of continued programming. In the second year, schools are again granted performance rights, a free standard ShowKit to a Disney KIDS musical, and continued professional development. Schools in the third year of the program receive a discount toward a Disney KIDS ShowKit and continued professional development opportunities to take their skills to the next level. Third Year Schools need not produce a Disney musical, but must continue with another musical theater performance, in order to continue with the professional development opportunities.

Which Schools are Eligible for Disney Musicals in Schools Residencies?

TUTS will select a limited number of public elementary schools in designated districts through an application process.

How Are Schools Chosen to Receive a Disney Musicals in Schools Residency?

Eligible schools are invited to apply to the program through a grant application. TUTS will review the applications, select some schools for follow up interviews, and ultimately select a limited number of recipients from the application pool each year.

How are Disney Musicals in Schools Residencies Structured?

Disney Musicals in Schools features Disney KIDS musicals—30-minute stage adaptions of classic Disney stories written expressly for elementary school performers. For 17 weeks, professional Teaching Artists visit the school once a week for a 90-minute rehearsal to guide teachers and students through the rehearsal process. Schools are responsible for holding an additional 90-minute rehearsal each week without the presence of the Teaching Artists. Over time, the Teaching Artists will transition more responsibility to the school teachers, until the teachers are self-sufficient in the rehearsal process. At the end of the program, schools perform a fully produced half hour musical and participate in a culminating Student Share showcase at TUTS.

What are the Requirements of Participating Schools?

Participating schools are expected to:

• Produce a 30-minute Disney KIDS musical involving 3rd-5th graders both on and off stage.
• Identify a School Team comprising three to five teachers and staff members who will oversee and manage the production from beginning to end.
• Commit to 17 weeks of after-school rehearsal consisting of a minimum of two 90-minute sessions per week.
• Provide space, time, materials, and resources for students and the School Team to rehearse and prepare for the musical production.
• Involve parents and the larger community in the mounting of the production.
• Hold a minimum of one performance of the musical and participate in a program-wide Student Share event celebrating all of the schools involved in Disney Musicals in Schools.