LOS ANGELES: Center Theatre Group (CTG) has announced five new schools selected to participate in the 2018-19 Disney Musicals in Schools (DMIS) program. Developed by Disney Theatrical Productions, the initiative is designed to create sustainable theatre programs in under-resourced elementary schools. The five Los Angeles County schools include Breed Street Elementary, Cantara Street School, Saturn Street Elementary, Tulsa Street Elementary, and Wild Rose School of Creative Arts.

“Being accepted into the DMIS Program opens so many vistas for our school,” said Leslie Miller, education director of Wild Rose School of Creative Arts, in a statement. “You never know who will be inspired to want to be the next Tony Award winner. This collaboration gives our teachers, parents, and students the chance to experience the joy of creativity, movement, poise, and being part of a collaborative process to bring together a musical performance. I am so thrilled to begin our journey with Center Theatre Group.”

The five selected schools will begin a 17-week musical theatre residency this winter. Each school will receive performance rights, education support materials, and guidance from two teaching artists. The program has a development focus, and participating school teachers work with CTG teaching artists to learn how to produce, direct, choreograph, and musical direct. The program culminates with a 30-minute Disney KIDS musical at their school. CTG will also host a Student Share Celebration, in which each school will perform one number from their production on the Ahmanson Theatre stage for an audience of students, teachers, family, and community members.