- Cleveland Metropolitan School District
- Community Partners
Disney, Playhouse Square bring musical to students
CMSD NEWS BUREAU
12/15/2020
Disney and Playhouse Square are teaming up to stream a musical to CMSD students and help keep them connected to the arts during remote learning and the pandemic.
A recorded performance of Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical will be available free from Jan. 11-22 for CMSD classes in the sixth through 12th grades.
Playhouse Square has served as a valuable resource for the District, hosting students at live shows, acting as the venue for the annual All-City Musical and partnering with Disney on the Disney Musicals in Schools program.
“Connecting students to the performing arts is one of the cornerstones of Playhouse Square’s not-for-profit mission,” said Vice President of Community Engagement & Education Daniel Hahn. “Even though we cannot bring students to the theater for live performance this year, we knew it was important to find ways to maintain that connection.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney has tried to find creative and accessible ways to provide free content to students and educators, said Lisa Mitchell, Disney Theatrical Group’s director of education and audience engagement. Disney says giving CMSD students a chance to see the musical is an investment in youth and “the next generation of storytellers.”
“We are now thrilled to partner with Playhouse Square to pilot Newsies: The Broadway Musical as a virtual field trip, she said. “They have an excellent reputation for delivering quality education programs.”
Newsies: The Broadway Musical, which is now streaming on Disney +, is inspired by the newsboys strike that took place in New York City in 1899.
“We thank Disney and our partners at Playhouse Square for bringing this production to CMSD scholars," District CEO Eric Gordon said. "The arts enrich all of our lives and are especially needed during the pandemic. We are also excited about the possibilities for incorporating Newsies and the historical events that inspired the story in remote learning."
With instructions from Playhouse Square, teachers will register and receive access codes they will distribute to students. Students may use the codes to view Newsies three times during the two -week period.
Besides the performance, educators and students will have access to a study guide and dance tutorial.
They also will be able to interact with Disney Vice President of Domestic and Regional Engagements Jack Eldon and Director of Production Operations Mimi Intagliata. Playhouse Square Assistant Director of Community Engagement & Education Sheffia Dooley will moderate.