Goodman Theatre is pleased to announce the five Chicagoland elementary schools that have been selected to participate in the 2018 “Disney Musicals in Schools” program, an outreach initiative developed by Disney Theatrical Productions to create sustainable theater programs in under-resourced elementary schools. Coordinated by Goodman Theatre artists Adrian Azevedo and Anna Gelman, under the leadership of Walter Director of Education and Engagement Willa J. Taylor, the five area public elementary schools received performance rights to a Disney musical of their choice, at no cost. The selected schools include: Gillespie Elementary School (Chatham) performing The Lion King KIDS; Mozart Elementary School (Logan Square) performing Aladdin KIDS; Providence Englewood Charter School (Englewood) performing The Lion King KIDS; William G. Hibbard Elementary School (Albany Park) performing 101 Dalmatians KIDS and Irma C. Ruiz Elementary School (Pilsen) performing Aladdin KIDS.

“Out of dozens of applications, we’re beyond excited to bring this program to these five amazing schools and equally proud that it is a geographically diverse group from across the Chicagoland area,” said Adrian Azevedo, Goodman Theatre Education and Engagement Assistant. “We selected these schools based on their demonstrated enthusiasm to learn and seek new and riveting opportunities for their students, opportunities that they as a school are unable provide on their own.”  In January, the selected schools began a 17-week musical theater residency.  Each school received 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 Goodman Theatre teaching artists—Breon Arzell, Joelle LaMarre, Brandi Lee, Darian Tene, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Ana Velazquez and Paul Whitehouse—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, the Goodman will host a Spring Student Share Celebration in which each school performs one number from their show on the Albert Theatre stage for an audience of students, teachers, family, and community members. “We’re thrilled to participate in this amazing program,” said Dana A. Butler, Principal at Irma C. Ruiz Elementary School, which will perform Aladdin KIDS. “The arts have no bounds or perimeters and this program offers our students an experience that taps the area of musicals that is not easily accessible to them.”