NUTLEY, New Jersey — The magic of Disney has been echoing through Lincoln Elementary School in Nutley, New Jersey, ahead of special performances this week.
The school is part of a new program helping public elementary schools stage their own Disney musical.
This week, the students are putting on a production of “The Lion King KIDS.”
The program makes musicals and bringing the magic of Disney into public schools more accessible for all.
Through Disney Musicals in Schools’ Stage Connect, educators are given free resources like show scripts, music tracks and training that give them the confidence they need to produce a school musical.
Director and third-grade teacher Laura Wiesner said when they started, they thought they might get 30 to 40 children interested, but ended up getting 90 students interested.
“The amount of students who found themselves in this space is astounding to me,” Wiesner said.
“Some of the students I thought were going to be shy…they are just superstars,” musical director and special education teacher Amalia DaCosta said.
DaCosta said a lot of her students struggle socially and academically, so it has been amazing to see them come alive in the production.
“The resilience that’s been built, watching their growth and how proud of themselves they are, and the community they’ve built, is the most amazing thing for me,” Wiesner said.
All public elementary schools are eligible to apply from now until March 9. Head to disneymusicalsinschools.com/stageconnect to apply.
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