Photo credit: SCFTA Public Relations

Taken from the press release

COSTA MESA, CA | Segerstrom Center for the Arts is thrilled to announce its 2025 Disney Musicals in Schools Student Share performance, celebrating the 11^th  anniversary of the program.  Disney Musicals in Schools, in partnership with Disney Theatrical Group, has been instrumental in fostering students’ artistic talents, enhancing teamwork, and building communication skills. Through this program, students develop self-expression and confidence, enriching their personal growth and academic success.

Since their residencies began in September 2024, participating schools have undertaken a transformative journey as they rehearsed and prepared, delving into the rich storytelling, music, and choreography. Participants have not only learned the intricacies of staging a musical but have also discovered new dimensions of self-expression and self-confidence. Teachers and students alike have embraced the creative process, learning valuable lessons in teamwork and communication.

This year’s selected Title 1 schools include Brookhurst Elementary (Garden Grove), Dr. CC Violet Elementary (Garden Grove), Evans Elementary (Garden Grove), and Wood Canyon Elementary (Aliso Viejo).

Segerstrom Center’s 11^th Annual Disney Musicals in Schools Student Share Celebration will take place on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Over 200 students from the participating schools will perform excerpts from The Lion King KIDS, The Jungle Book KIDS, and Aladdin KIDS highlighting the incredible journey they have undertaken as part of this transformational program.

Student Share Celebration will be hosted by Disneyland Resort Ambassador Jada Young, who brings a rich history of working with several teams around the Disneyland Resort including special event operations, event communications, and youth education programs. Jada’s passion for the Disney Ambassador Program is rooted in her value for servant leadership and her hope to continue Walt’s legacy of creating a place welcome to all. Segerstrom Center for the Arts is honored to welcome Jada to join in celebrating the magic of Disney theater coming to life with these young students.

Lisa Petersen, Vice President of Education at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, shares, “The dedication, creativity, and perseverance of the students, teachers, and administrators in the Disney Musicals in Schools program has been truly inspiring to watch. Over the past few months, our Teaching Artists and staff have witnessed remarkable growth and teamwork, and I am so excited to see all the hard work come together at our 11^th Annual Student Share Celebration.”

The impact of the Disney Musicals in Schools program creates long lasting relationships between Segerstrom Center for the Arts and its local school districts, teachers, students, and arts administrators. In conjunction with Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ sustainability efforts and continued support of its alumni schools, this year, all 10 years of Alumni school team teachers have been invited to join the Center for a professional development and networking opportunity followed by a performance of Hamilton in Segerstrom Hall in May. Additionally, this year’s participating schools and their students have been invited to attend a special performance of The Gruffalo’s Child in Samueli Theater in April.  Covering all costs including tickets and transportation, Segerstrom Center reinforces its commitment to fostering lasting connections between alumni teaching artists, staff, and students and their local cultural arts.

For more information on Disney Musicals in Schools at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, visit
https://www.scfta.org/disney-musicals-in-schools