Four Newark Public Schools Selected for Disney Musicals in Schools Program

NEWARK, N.J. – Franklin Elementary School, Hawthorne Avenue Elementary School, Michelle Obama Elementary School, and Thirteen Avenue Elementary School have been selected for the 2026 - 2027 Disney Musicals in Schools program through Paper Mill Playhouse. As students and teachers at these schools participate in this prestigious program, Newark Public Schools is continuing to build on its history of bringing musical theater to elementary school students.

Disney Musicals in Schools helps public elementary schools establish sustainable musical theater programs by providing educators with professional development, production materials, and guidance from professional teaching artists. Through Paper Mill Playhouse, selected schools receive support to produce a 30-minute Disney KIDS musical while developing the skills to continue staging productions in future years.

“A school musical can be the moment a child discovers a talent, finds the confidence to step forward, or learns how much can be accomplished by working with others,” said Superintendent León. “Through this partnership with Paper Mill Playhouse and Disney Musicals in Schools, the students at these four schools will have those opportunities. Their teachers will also gain training and resources to make musical theater a continuing part of their school communities.”

Paper Mill Playhouse’s program serves eligible public elementary schools in Newark, East Orange, Irvington, and Orange. Selected schools receive free performance rights, scripts and other production resources, and weekly guidance from teaching artists. Students in grades three through five participate both onstage and behind the scenes, and schools share selections from their productions at a culminating celebration at Paper Mill Playhouse.

“This program gives students many ways to discover where they belong in the arts,” said Devonne DeNose, Director of Visual and Performing Arts. “One student may find a love of performing, while another discovers the satisfaction of helping create the world of the show behind the scenes. Just as exciting is the investment in our educators, who will gain practical experience and tools to keep these opportunities growing long after the first curtain call.”

Newark Public Schools’ involvement with Disney Musicals in Schools dates to the program’s inaugural year in Greater Newark during the 2015–2016 school year. Following a $100,000 Disney grant to NJPAC, Branch Brook School, Luis Muñoz Marin School, and Mount Vernon School participated in 17-week musical theater residencies. Students staged productions at their schools and performed selections at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall.

The district’s participation continued in 2016–2017 with Rafael Hernandez School, Oliver Street School, and Peshine Avenue School. That year, Newark students performed selections from The Lion King and The Jungle Book at NJPAC.

“Every production depends on students learning to trust one another, take responsibility, and contribute to a shared goal,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “We are proud that these four schools have been selected for an opportunity that combines artistic expression with those valuable lessons. We look forward to seeing our students’ creativity onstage and our families coming together to celebrate their accomplishments.”