PPAC Announces Four New Schools Selected for Disney Musicals in Schools Program
The program is an initiative developed by Disney Theatrical Group to create sustainable theater programs in under-resourced elementary schools.

The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) has announced the four new schools that have been selected to participate in the 2023 Disney Musicals in Schools program. The program is an initiative developed by Disney Theatrical Group to create sustainable theater programs in under-resourced elementary schools.
The four schools are a part of Providence County and include:
Robert L. Bailey, IV Elementary School in Providence
Curvin-McCabe Elementary School in Pawtucket
Henry J. Winters Elementary School in Pawtucket
Raíces Dual Language Academy in Central Falls
The selected schools have begun a 17-week musical theater residency, as of January 2023. Each school receives performance rights, education support materials and guidance from two teaching artists. The program features a professional development focus, through which participating school teachers partner with PPAC teaching artists to learn how to produce, direct, choreograph and music direct, culminating in their first 30-minute Disney KIDS musical at their school. As a capstone to the experience, PPAC will host a Student Share Celebration in which each school performs one number from their show on PPAC's stage for an audience of students, teachers, family, and community members on June 5, 2023 at 6P.
During the past year, four Providence County public schools successfully participated in the program, with 180 students and 18 public school teachers and administrators working together to create a culture of musical theater at their schools. PPAC is pleased to announce that two of the schools are continuing to produce musicals. They include Asa Messer Elementary in Providence and Elizabeth Baldwin Elementary in Pawtucket.
Using the unique world of musical theater, Disney Musicals in Schools helps to foster positive relationships between students, faculty, staff, parents, and the community. Students and teachers work in teams, developing the wide spectrum of skills needed when producing a piece of musical theater, including: critical thinking, problem solving, ensemble building, communication, self-confidence, and interpersonal skills.
Disney Musicals in Schools was launched in 2010 in response to Disney Theatrical Group's concern that under-resourced public elementary schools were not afforded equitable access to the arts. After successfully offering the program in New York City schools, Disney Theatrical Group began partnering with organizations in other communities across the United States.
Disney KIDS musicals, created in partnership with Music Theater International (MTI), are 30-minute musicals designed for elementary school performers and have been adapted from the classic Disney films 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, Frozen, The Aristocats, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, and Winnie the Pooh.
More Hot Stories For You

March 29, 2023
The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm) closes its 2022-23 season with The Children, British playwright Lucy Kirkwood’s award-winning and Tony nominated play. A riveting eco-drama infused with dark humor, The Children runs from April 27 to May 14.

March 27, 2023
RuPaul's Drag Race WERQ THE WORLD, the largest drag show on earth, takes the stage at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in Providence, RI on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 8P. RuPaul's Drag Race WERQ THE WORLD is an 18+ show.

March 27, 2023
See rehearsal photos of Indecent at Wilbury Theatre Group!

March 26, 2023
'A PARTY at the CROSSROADS: A Post-Modernist's Cabaret' is a work of adult-oriented storytelling theater with original soul, blues and jazz music; written and performed by Mwalim (with a little help from his friends), directed by The ZYG 808. The show will be running at Cotuit Center for the Arts in the Vivian and Morton Sigel Black Box theater from April 7 - 23.

March 26, 2023
Emerson Theater Collaborative will produce Picking Up Stones: An American Jew's Moral Dilemma, a play written by Sandra Laub on April 29, 2023 at the United Theatre in Westerly, RI.