MONTICELLO — Monticello Elementary is excited to announce its selection as one of 200 elementary schools nationwide participating in Stage Connect, an innovative online teacher training expansion of the Disney Musicals in Schools program.

Stage Connect is a free online training experience that empowers teachers with the tools and resources to produce a Disney KIDS musical, bringing students together through the magic of theater and beloved Disney stories. Through this unique program, Monticello Elementary will receive professional development, educational materials and free performance rights to stage a Disney KIDS musical during the 2026–27 school year.

Participating schools have the opportunity to choose from popular Disney titles including 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, The Aristocats, Finding Nemo, Frozen, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Winnie the Pooh.

“Stage Connect expands Disney Musicals in Schools to kids across the country in a whole new way,” said Lisa Mitchell, Director of Education and Audience Engagement, Disney Theatrical Group. “We can’t wait to see the creativity that unfolds on school stages as educators and students bring beloved Disney stories to life in a way that only they can.”

Stage Connect features demonstration videos, downloadable resources, self-paced online learning and live webinars hosted by artists from Broadway’s The Lion King and Disney Teaching Artists. Participating teachers will build skills that help create lasting musical theater programs at their schools, regardless of prior experience.

“In our small district, we want every student to have the chance to discover their talents,” said Kimberly Becker Meier, K12 Choral and General Music Teacher. “Disney Musicals in Schools allows us to open the doors of musical theater to any student who is interested, providing a hands-on, inclusive experience that might be impossible in a larger district.”