Theatre Under The Stars has selected Roderick Paige Elementary School (Houston ISD), James Ross Elementary School (Clear Creek ISD), Cimarron Elementary (Galena Park ISD), and Savannah Lakes Elementary School (Alvin ISD) to participate in the 2025 Disney Musicals in Schools program. This is the inaugural year for TUTS to participate in this initiative developed by Disney Theatrical Group to create sustainable theater programs in under-resourced elementary schools.
To kick off the program, Disney Theatricals sent a few people to Houston to train TUTS Teaching Artists on how to work alongside teachers and other faculty from the selected schools to create successful, sustainable arts programs in these elementary schools. Faculty from each of the selected schools were invited to join in on the fun.
Standing in a circle in the TUTS rehearsal studio, a group of teachers, librarians and administrators introduced themselves and shared why they were excited to be part of the TUTS Disney Musicals in Schools.
“For all of us who are working in the arts, think about that moment when you saw something on stage, think about the moment when you performed something on stage, and what that did to you, how that changed the trajectory of your life. Think about that moment and now think about and sit in the fact that you get to do that and continue to do that for kids. That by itself is enough,” said TUTS Director of Education, Adavion Wayne.
The four schools will embark on a 17-week musical theater residency in the Spring 2026. Each school will receive performance rights, education support materials and guidance from two teaching artists. Partnered with TUTS teaching artists, the teachers will learn how to produce, direct, choreograph and music direct a 30-minute Disney KIDS musical at their school. On May 18, TUTS will host a Student Share Celebration where each school performs a number from their show on the Sarofim Hall stage at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
Disney Musicals in Schools uses the unique world of musical theater to foster positive relationships between students, faculty, staff, parents and the community. Students and teachers work in teams, developing the wide spectrum of skills needed when producing a piece of musical theater, including: critical thinking, problem solving, ensemble building, communication, self-confidence, and interpersonal skills.
After circling up, the educators and teaching artists spent time alongside TUTS and Disney staff used the Disney KIDS musicals script for Aladdin to quickly learn simple choreography, reactions and music to put together a shortened version of the story illustrating the way they will engage students in musical theatre through the program. A feeling of joy permeated the room giving a glimpse into the magic that lies ahead for the students.
