How your school can stage a Disney musical thanks to a free program

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The iconic sounds of a Disney classic are filling the halls of Avon Grove Charter School in Chester County.

Think: A clown fish venturing into the Great Barrier Reef.

Right now, the school is staging its own production of "Finding Nemo, KIDS!" thanks to Disney Musicals in Schools, a free teaching program from the Walt Disney Company.

If you're inspired by their story, you have until next week to get your school involved too.

Fourth through sixth graders at the school are busy rehearsing for the big show.

"I get chills at rehearsal because they are so invested," says Paula Reynolds, a fifth-grade teacher who is serving as the show's producer and stage manager.

This is the first time Avon's middle-schoolers are getting a musical of their own.

"We were seeing that kids really wanted to be a part of a show, but they didn't have the opportunity," Reynolds says.

That all changed with Disney Musicals in Schools Stage Connect - a free, online training program that gives educators at the school the resources to produce a school musical themselves.

"They can choose from Disney shows like 'Frozen,' 'The Lion King,' 'Aladdin' and so many more," says Lisa Mitchell, the Director of Education and Audience Engagement for Disney Theatrical Group.

The schools get everything they need to stage their own Disney musical.

"They give you teaching artists to work with and all the materials like the music, the script, physical materials for students, costumes, ideas, design, you name it," says Sarah Grant, an ELA teacher and the director of the school's musical.

William Walker, a sixth grader, landed the title role of Nemo.

"I was pretty proud of myself," says the 11-year-old. "It's going to help me build my confidence and have good self-esteem."

Fifth grader Hunter Rean is Dory. She's already feeling the boost.

"At the beginning, I was kind of shy, but now I'm really loud," says the 11-year-old.

Disney Theatrical Group started Disney Musicals in Schools almost 17 years ago. To date, approximately 900 elementary schools have participated.

"Almost 125,000 kids have been in their school shows as a result of it," says Mitchell.

With the virtual Stage Connect option, even more schools can participate now.

"I think having a chance to do theater will really show you who you really are," says fifth grader Gia Cornish.

Applications for the 2026-2027 Disney Musicals in Schools Stage Connect program are due by Monday, March 9.

To apply, visit: DisneyMusicalsinSchools.com.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of 6abc.