The Kravis Center recognizes the importance of arts education. The West Palm Beach-based performing arts organization has made offering comprehensive arts education programs a cornerstone of its mission. Now, thanks to a $100,000 grant from The Walt Disney Company, the Kravis Center will share the Disney Musicals in Schools initiative with under-resourced elementary schools in Palm Beach County.
Founded in 2010, Disney Musicals in Schools aims to create sustainable theater programs by teaching educators how to produce a 30-minute Disney Kids musical, covering every stage of the process from direction to choreography and music instruction. It also provides free performance rights grants to a canon of Disney Kids musicals that includes 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, The Aristocats, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Sleeping Beauty, and Winnie the Pooh.
From now until April 28, the Kravis Center is accepting applications from Title I public elementary schools in the Palm Beach County school district. It will select four schools to participate in the 2017-18 school year and an additional four for 2018-19. Those chosen will take part in a 17-week musical theater residency, where they’ll learn the ins and outs of musical production from Kravis Center and Disney Theatrical Productions professionals. They’ll then put on a Disney Kids musical at their own schools, and also perform a number from that musical on the Kravis Center’s Dreyfoos Hall stage as part of a Student Share Celebration.
Disney Musicals in Schools offers a vital service to students. As noted by the nonprofit organization Americans for the Arts, students involved in the arts are three times more likely to win an award for school attendance, four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, and have a dropout rate five times lower than peers of the same socioeconomic status.
Elementary schools interested in applying can visit kravis.org for more information.
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