Disney awards Southern California performing arts center $100,000 grant

Our friends at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts (SCFTA and formerly the Orange County Performing Arts Center) in Costa Mesa, CA has announced that they have been made the benefactors of a $100,000 grant from Disney Theatrical Group to further the use and give increased awareness of the arts in schools.

Disney Musical In Schools program is an outreach initiative to create ongoing theater programs in local elementary schools. SCFTA will select four local public elementary schools in their area to participate sometime this year. Once selected, both SCFTA and the school will produce unique and engaging after-school musical programs that will be completely free for students.

The program’s goals are to “build positive relationships between students, faculty, staff, parents and the community.” Students will work in teams to develop or restore self-confidence, strengthen communication and collaboration skills all while learning and enjoying the process of creating a Disney musical theater production, culminating in a presentation of that musical.

“The Center is grateful to Disney Theatrical Group for this program and to Disney for this generous grant,” said Segerstrom Center President Terrence W. Dwyer. “Through Disney Musicals in Schools, we both will be able to increase our service and contributions to the community by helping to motivate young people in their studies and extracurricular pursuits and passions while introducing them to the enjoyment and magic of musical theater.”

If you know of an interested public elementary school in the Southern California area that would benefit from this program, applications for the program are now available. Click HERE for the application and for more information. Deadline for applications is on May 12, 2014.