Disney Theatrical Group Unveils Stage Connect Program for 200 Schools Across the Nation

In an exciting announcement, Disney Theatrical Group has selected 200 public elementary schools to participate in the 2026-27 Disney Musicals in Schools: Stage Connect program. This year, Stage Connect is broadening its outreach, providing high-quality teacher training and resources to schools that have yet to establish a Disney Musicals in Schools residency.

With over 800 applications submitted, the chosen schools will collectively serve more than 10,000 students. Remarkably, this is nearly triple the size of the inaugural cohort, which began with 70 schools in the previous year. Selected from 43 states and U.S. territories, these schools represent communities from rural areas to bustling cities, including locations as diverse as Emerson, Arkansas, and military bases in Sicily, Italy.

Stage Connect not only addresses the geographical challenges faced by many schools far from Disney's traditional programming but also empowers educators by offering a range of resources. Each participating school will receive access to an online training platform specific to the Stage Connect program, along with performance rights to a Disney KIDS show. This includes a comprehensive ShowKit filled with scripts, director's guides, and rehearsal tracks – all provided at no cost to the schools.

Educators will choose from popular Disney titles such as The Lion King, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, and others. Before the rehearsal process commences, teachers must complete the Stage Connect courses designed to equip them with the necessary skills, regardless of their prior theatre experience. Additionally, each school will benefit from a customized support system by being paired with a Disney Production Mentor. This professional will offer virtual coaching, guiding teachers through the rehearsal and production stages.

Lisa Mitchell, Director of Education and Audience Engagement at Disney Theatrical Group, emphasized the program's impact, stating, "These selected schools are as far apart as American Samoa and a military base in Sicily, totaling nearly 11,000 miles. What they share is a commitment to enriching their school communities through theatre. Stage Connect bridges those distances, ensuring that a teacher's location doesn’t dictate their access to training and materials for their students’ first musical performance."

The profound influence of the Disney Musicals in Schools initiative across the country is evident. To date, both the in-person and virtual models have successfully launched theatre programs in over 1,000 schools, engaging more than 150,000 students in the magic of theatrical arts.

As applications for the 2027-28 school year are now open, public and charter elementary schools throughout the United States and its territories are encouraged to apply by the deadline of March 1, 2027. Interested schools can obtain further information and submit applications through DisneyMusicalsInSchools.com.

The Disney Musicals in Schools initiative aims to foster a love for storytelling while building sustainable theatre programs in public elementary schools. Since its inception in 2009, this program has partnered with local performing arts organizations across 24 cities in the U.S. and U.K. The expansion through Stage Connect has made it possible to reach schools nationwide. This initiative stands as a testament to Disney's commitment to supporting future generations, nurturing the storytellers and dreamers of tomorrow. To learn more about this and other initiatives, visit Disney.com/FutureGenerations.