By Gary Luster
DMIS helps local, underserved elementary schools put on a Disney KIDS musical of their choosing. Schools have the choice of Cinderella, The Lion King, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Winnie The Pooh, The Aristocats, and 101 Dalmatians.
For their first foray into these uncharted waters, La Ballona chose to perform “The Lion King.”
With Disney’s help, participating educators will learn how to produce, direct, choreograph and music direct their third through fifth-grade students in a musical. The program aims to arm teachers with the tools they need to continue to provide students with dynamic arts education as well as teach elementary students basic skills like self-confidence, communication and ensemble building through musical theatre.
La Ballona students, as well as participating students from the other four schools, will give a 30- to 45-minute theatrical music performance for their parents as well as for their peers. In addition, the participating students will also perform one song from their chosen musical at a Student Share Celebration held at the Ahmanson Theatre on May 21 in front of an invited audience.
The primary goals of DMIS are to create sustainable musical theater programs in public elementary schools a well as provide school faculty with the training and tools necessary to support student performance and production. They also help with the development of a critical awareness and appreciation of the arts within schools.
Disney Musicals in Schools is a free program offered to a limited number of public elementary schools each year. Through the program, schools receive free performance rights and ShowKit materials to a 30-minute Disney musical written for elementary school performers.
Over the course of a semester, professional teaching artists guide school teachers through the process of mounting a musical with student performers with the goal of providing the training necessary for teachers to continue the tradition of theater education for years to come.
DMIS hopes to expose students and school teachers to the wide spectrum of skills that are developed when producing a piece of musical theater, including: critical thinking, problem solving, ensemble building, communication, self-confidence, and interpersonal skills.
Founded in 1967, Center Theatre Group, a non-profit organization, is one of the largest and most active theatre companies in the nation, programming seasons year-round at the 1,600 to 2,066-seat Ahmanson Theatre and the 736-seat Mark Taper Forum at the Music Center of Los Angeles, as well as the 317-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in downtown Culver City.
Center Theatre Group’s mission is to provide Los Angeles, national and international audiences with the greatest range of theatrical entertainment possible from one theatre company, from groundbreaking new works to explosive productions of the classics to hit Broadway plays and musicals.
For more information on the Center Theatre Group, please visit their website at www.centertheatregroup.org.
For more information on the Disney Musicals in Schools Program, please visit www.disneymusicalsinschools.com.