BAE named winner of inaugural Disney on Broadway School of Excellence Program
Broadway for Arts Education, in partnership with the Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School, will present a production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid as part of the inaugural Disney on Broadway School of Excellence Program, a partnership of Educational Theatre Association, Disney Theatrical Group, and Music Theatre International. The school’s production, featuring 20+ students led by Luis Mora, Ben Houghton, and Brett Tubbs, plays in April 2025.
“It is a very special thing to perform in a Disney musical,” says program director Luis Mora. “Everyone has a connection to the materials no matter where they come from or what language they speak. In our case, a majority of the parents and guardians of the students are native Spanish speakers, so it is very important to perform in a musical that they can enjoy. We thank the Disney on Broadway School of Excellence program for supporting us in this vision”
Created to celebrate 30 years of Disney on Broadway, the School of Excellence program is a new initiative recognizing middle and high schools across the United States for their exceptional student-led involvement in theatre production. The nationwide competition called upon schools to demonstrate creativity, leadership, and student engagement in theatrical disciplines such as stagecraft, direction, performance, choreography, and design. Winning schools receive free licensing and production materials to produce a Disney musical between fall 2024 and December 2025, plus exclusive educational webinars with industry professionals. BAE is one of 21 winners selected for the inaugural cohort of the program.
“Disney Theatrical Group is proud to launch this new initiative, in partnership with EdTA and MTI, in recognition of the outstanding student work taking place in school theater programs across the country,” said Disney Theatrical Group. “It is especially meaningful for us to celebrate 30 years of Disney on Broadway by supporting and showcasing the next generation of young theater-makers.”
More information on the Disney on Broadway School of Excellence Program, including a full list of winning schools, can be found at schooltheatre.org/school-of-excellence.
About Educational Theatre Association
The Educational Theatre Association is an international nonprofit that serves as the professional association for theatre educators. EdTA is the parent organization of the International Thespian Society, the honor society for theatre students that’s inducted more than 2.5 million Thespians since 1929. Additionally, EdTA operates the Educational Theatre Foundation, the organization’s philanthropic arm dedicated to broadening representation and increasing access. Visit schooltheatre.org to learn how EdTA inspires theatre educators to transform lives.
About Music Theatre International
Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway
