2023-2024 Application

Add a little magic to your classroom through Disney Musicals in Schools!

Disney Musicals in Schools is an outreach initiative that develops sustainable musical theater programs for eligible Cuyahoga and Lorain County elementary schools. 

Four schools will be selected to participate in the 2023-2024 program free of charge. Any Cuyahoga, Lake, or Lorain County public elementary school, including public charter schools, with a student poverty level of 50% or higher (according to the Ohio Department of Education’s 2013 Typology Report) is eligible to apply. 

Application deadline: AUGUST 11, 2023

 

The goals of Disney Musicals in Schools

1.    Create sustainable musical theatre programs in public elementary schools.

2.    Provide school faculty with the training and tools necessary to support student performance and production, and to empower them to do so.

3.    Develop a critical awareness and appreciation of the arts within the school.

4.    Develop a strong community, including students, parents, faculty, staff, and neighbors.

5.    Expose students and school faculty to the wide spectrum of skills that are developed when producing a piece of musical theatre, including critical thinking, problem solving, ensemble building, communication, self-confidence, and interpersonal skills.

Disney Musicals in Schools presents a special opportunity to introduce the collaborative art of musical theater to your school, strengthen your arts programming, and develop partnerships among students, faculty, staff, and the greater community. 

Complete the following application (typed and signed) by August 11, 2023, and submit scanned via email to katelyn.merold@playhousesquare.org or via postal mail at:

Playhouse Square
ATTN: Katelyn Merold
1501 Euclid Avenue 
Suite 200
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2108

 

Program Overview

Playhouse Square will select four Cuyahoga, Lake, or Lorain County public elementary (including charter) schools to participate in this year’s Disney Musicals in Schools program. To qualify, schools must have a student poverty level of 50% or higher, according to the Ohio Department of Education’s 2013 Typology Report. 

Selected schools will receive the following:

  • Free performance rights (valid for one year) to a 30-minute Disney KIDS musical of their choosing (available shows include 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, The Artistocats, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Frozen, Winnie the Pooh and Finding Nemo)
  • Free ShowKit materials, including a director’s guide, student scripts, links to all choreography & music videos and tracks needed, and cross-curricular activities. 
  • Free in-school support from a team of two Playhouse Square Teaching Artists (during a 90-minute school visit each week over 17 weeks).
  • The Teaching Artists will serve as production and creative advisors who will train and empower the School Team to eventually run the program themselves.
  • The Teaching Artists will guide the School Team through both production management (developing a rehearsal schedule, running auditions, and addressing technical and physical production requirements) and the creative execution of the show (direction, choreography, acting, and design). They will also advise the School Team on school and community engagement opportunities.
  • Disney KIDS Musicals are designed to be produced on any budget. Playhouse Square Teaching Artists will work with selected School Teams to create a production within the budget the school is able to allocate to this project. 
  • Lastly, the selected schools will participate in a culminating Disney Musicals in Schools Student Share Celebration. At this event, each school will share one musical selection from its production at Playhouse Square on March 11, 2024.

Schools will be expected to:

  • Assure all rehearsals, production meetings, etc. that take place at your facilities follow all local government and school mandated health guidelines in place for Covid-19 safety.
  • Produce a 30-minute Disney KIDS musical involving 3rd-5th graders both on and off stage. 
  • Identify a School Team comprising at least four teachers and staff members who will partner with the Playhouse Square Teaching Artists and oversee and manage the program from beginning to end. The selected School Team will receive on-site support from a team of two Playhouse Square Teaching Artists who will visit the school for a 90-minute rehearsal once each week for 17 weeks. The School Team will run an additional 90-minute rehearsal once each week (those same 17 weeks) without the presences of the Teaching Artists.
  • Commit to a full semester of rehearsal /production in an after-school setting (see timeline).
  • Host a site visit for the selection team during the application process.
  • Provide space, time, materials, and resources for students and the School Team to rehearse and prepare for the musical production. 
  • Provide opportunities for the whole school, parents, and larger community to be connected to the production. 
  • Hold a minimum of one public performance of the musical.
  • Participate in the culminating Student Share event at Playhouse Square on March 13th, 2023. Playhouse Square will provide transportation reimbursement for participating schools.

 

Timeline of REQUIRED Events: 

August 11, 2023                  
Applications due

8/21 – 9/1, 2023                            
Finalist school site visits 

Week of September 4, 2023    
All applicants notified of status

Thursday, September 28, 2023    
Selected school orientation (Evening)

10/9/2023 – 3/4/2024    
Rehearsals and onsite support from Teaching Artists

Week of March 4, 2024*    
In-school performances
*Unless discussed with PSQ administrators

March 11, 2024    
Disney Musicals in Schools Student Share Celebration, Playhouse Square