In Nutley, New Jersey, the enchanting world of Disney has been brought to life at Lincoln Elementary School, setting the stage for a series of special performances this week.

The school is participating in an innovative program designed to empower public elementary schools to produce their own Disney musicals.

This initiative has the students excitedly preparing for their rendition of “The Lion King KIDS,” set to captivate audiences with its charm and energy.

The program aims to make the experience of staging a musical, and the magic of Disney, more accessible to public schools everywhere.

Through Disney Musicals in Schools’ Stage Connect, educators receive complimentary resources, including scripts, music tracks, and training, equipping them with the tools and confidence necessary to bring a school musical to fruition.

Laura Wiesner, a director and third-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, shared that they initially anticipated around 30 to 40 students would show interest. To their surprise and delight, 90 students eagerly signed up to participate.

“The amount of students who found themselves in this space is astounding to me,” Wiesner said.

“Some of the students I thought were going to be shy…they are just superstars,” musical director and special education teacher Amalia DaCosta said.

DaCosta said a lot of her students struggle socially and academically, so it has been amazing to see them come alive in the production.

“The resilience that’s been built, watching their growth and how proud of themselves they are, and the community they’ve built, is the most amazing thing for me,” Wiesner said.

All public elementary schools are eligible to apply from now until March 9. Head to disneymusicalsinschools.com/stageconnect to apply.

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