New York City elementary students make Broadway debut with a little magic from Disney

NEW YORK -- Elementary school students made their Broadway debut thanks to a special Disney program that helps schools without theater programs. 

Disney Musicals in Schools is giving students the chance to share and celebrate what they learned on a Broadway stage. 

Ten New York City public elementary schools took the stage for the Disney Musicals in Schools Student Share Celebration at the New Amsterdam Theater.

Lisa Mitchell, the director of education and audience engagement at Disney Theatrical Group, explained more about the program.

“We’ve been doing Disney musicals in schools for 17 years,” Mitchell said. “We started it here in New York City as our flagship program, and we really began the program when we took a look around to see which schools were performing shows and which weren’t.” 

Mitchell said there was a massive access gap to theater education, which made them uniquely positioned to help fill the gap, which they did, one school at a time. 

“They’ve never had the arts in the school, so this is their first time acting and seeing a whole production come to fruition,” said Celeste Wilson, a teacher at PS 146 in the Bronx.

Students learned choreography and words to all the songs.

“They were excited,” Wilson said. “They love ‘Frozen.’ They know the songs already.” 

Mitchell said there are a team of artists who go into the schools to partner with teachers like Wilson in training them how to direct their first school show, or music direct, or choreograph or stage manage.

“So that by the end of the program, they have all those foundational skills, and they can keep going when we’re not there,” Mitchell said. 

Wilson said students are excited to come to school, especially on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays when they have practice. 

A lot of students have never been to Manhattan, Wilson said, so they were excited to come and perform. 

“Even just coming on the bus today, it’s just really heartwarming to see them really this happy,” Wilson said. 

Mitchell said theater is for everyone and Broadway is for everyone.

“Just putting the kids center stage to have that moment to realize that this is a space for them is a moving thing,” Mitchell said. 

Wilson said she’s proud of her students. 

“I just, you know, love seeing them happy and just love seeing a smile on their face,” Wilson said.