Disney opens applications for Stage Connect platform for elementary schools

The Disney Theatrical Group has opened applications for the next intake of Stage Connect, an online platform that trains elementary school teachers to run school musical productions, with applications closing February 9, 2026.

Disney Theatrical Group is accepting applications for the 2026–2027 school year of Stage Connect, an online training platform that expands access to Disney Musicals in Schools across public elementary schools in the United States.

Disney Musicals in Schools is an education program that supports elementary schools in producing their own musical theater performances. Delivered by Disney Theatrical Group, the initiative combines teacher training, licensed performance rights, and classroom-ready production materials.

Platform-led expansion beyond city-based programs

For the past 17 years, Disney Musicals in Schools has operated through partnerships with local performing arts organizations in twenty-two cities across the United States and the United Kingdom. According to Disney, more than 125,000 students have participated in their first school musical through the program.

Stage Connect shifts the delivery model online. Launched during the 2025–2026 school year, the platform enables schools outside those partner cities to access the same foundational training through a centralized digital system. Seventy-one schools are currently producing a musical through the platform.

The next application window is now open, with schools selected for the 2026–2027 academic year.

What schools receive through Stage Connect

Schools accepted into the program receive free access to the Stage Connect platform, including online courses, instructional videos, and downloadable teaching resources. Participating schools are also granted free performance rights to one Disney musical and a ShowKit containing scripts and music tracks.

Available titles include 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, The Aristocats, Finding Nemo, Frozen, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, and Winnie the Pooh.

Teachers are required to complete the Stage Connect courses before rehearsals begin. The platform also includes live webinars and access to Disney Teaching Artists for ongoing support during the production process.

Teacher training as the core delivery model

Stage Connect is designed to support educators regardless of prior experience with musical theater. The platform focuses on building internal school capacity rather than relying on external specialists, positioning teacher training as the central mechanism for sustainability.

Alana Gillet, a participating teacher at Green Valley Elementary in New Albany, Indiana, says, “Stage Connect has helped us bring theater to our school by providing videos, resources, and a wealth of knowledge that has helped our team be able to establish a musical theater program. We have seen our students just grab on to this program and flourish because they are so excited to learn and to be stars on the stage.”

The program is open to all public elementary schools, including charter schools. Schools must commit a team of four teachers or district staff members to participate.

Applications close on February 9, 2026, with productions expected to be rehearsed and staged during the 2026–2027 school year.

Cheyanne Harris, a teacher at Endeavor Elementary in Cocoa, Florida, says, “For students with no previous experience, this program has opened the door to an entirely new world. As a classroom teacher, I hear students humming songs from the show during transitions, and I've even seen groups of students practicing choreography during recess. That kind of excitement and ownership has been incredibly rewarding to witness.”

ETIH Innovation Awards 2026

The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.