The Disney Musicals in Schools program presented by Dee and Jimmy Haslam is marking its magical 10th anniversary at Playhouse Square!
In honor of this milestone, we’re sharing ten fun facts about the program and its impact in our community.
1,000+ – The number of Northeast Ohio students that have participated in the Disney Musicals in Schools program since its inception
The goal of the Disney Musicals in Schools program is to create sustainable musical theater programs in elementary schools, specifically for third to fifth graders. Playhouse Square accepts applications and chooses elementary schools to launch new theater programs and culminate in a 30-minute Disney KIDS musical at each school. We’re proud to share that more than 1,000 Northeast Ohio students have been a part of this program over the past ten years!
31 - The number of elementary schools in Northeast Ohio that have gone through the program over the past 10 years
Since the launch of the program in 2015, Playhouse Square has helped to build musical theater programs at 31 elementary schools throughout Cuyahoga, Lake and Lorain Counties.
4 – The number of new schools putting on their first musical in 2025
The schools selected as first-year participants for the 2024-25 school year include Clara E. Westropp School of the Arts (Cleveland), Constellation Schools: Westside Community School of the Arts (Cleveland), Lomond Elementary School (Shaker Heights) and Marion-Sterling School (Cleveland).
10 – The number of Teaching Artists working with our first-year schools
As a part of the Disney Musicals in Schools program, the first-year schools receive performance rights, educational support materials and guidance from professional teaching artists – all at no cost to them. Our incredible Northeast Ohio teaching artists work with the classroom educators, training them to produce a musical and to create a sustainable theater program in their schools.
19 – The number of weeks that the first-year schools rehearse with Teaching Artists
Our Teaching Artists work in pairs and are assigned to each of the first-year participating schools for one 90-minute rehearsal a week for 19 weeks.
9 - The number of times that Aladdin has been performed by first-year participants over the past ten years
Disney KIDS musicals, created in partnership with Music Theater International (MTI), are about 30 minutes in length and have been adapted from classic Disney films. Participating schools can choose from: 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, The Aristocats, Finding Nemo, Frozen, The Jungle Book, The Lion King and Winnie the Pooh. Aladdin as well as The Lion King have been performed the most frequently at our first-year participating schools in Northeast Ohio.
800 – The number of people that the first-year schools perform for at the Student Share Celebration at Playhouse Square
In addition to performing at their schools, students at first-year participating schools have the unique opportunity to take center stage at Playhouse Square’s Mimi Ohio Theatre in early March as a part of the Student Share Celebration. At this private event, each new participating school performs selections for an audience of fellow students, family members and school community.
3,400 – The number of pizza slices served to students prior to Student Share Celebration over 10 years
Energy is a necessity before students take the stage for their performance at Playhouse Square. After their dress rehearsal with the Playhouse Square production team, student enjoy a pizza dinner with their fellow first-year participants, creating excitement before the curtain rises on their musical numbers, as well as community with the other first-year participants.
2 minutes and 50 seconds: The length of time for the original song -- “It Starts with A Dream.”
The Student Share Celebration opens with a performance of the original song, “It Starts with a Dream,” written by Alan Menken. All of the schools rehearse this song on their own, then come together with the other first-year participants for a rousing rendition of the song that always ends with a standing ovation from the audience!
1 – The number representing the milestone Playhouse Square debut for these students
When the curtain goes up at Playhouse Square – and at each respective school – it is one magical moment. The spotlight shines on their hard work, dedication, collaboration and enthusiasm and provide an experience, for both students and staff, that they will never forget.
For more information on the Disney Musicals in Schools program at Playhouse Square or to apply for the 2025-26 school year, visit playhousesquare.org/disney-musicals-in-schools.