4/17/2026
Education and Outreach / Inside the Theater
On April 8, students and educators from six Nevada schools ascended to the stage at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts to demonstrate how much they’ve learned from their participation in this year’s Disney Musicals in Schools program.
“What began as a hopeful application quickly grew into a collaborative effort where students, staff and families came together with a shared purpose,” said Dr. Marijoy Vestil-Efenio, a teacher at Craig Elementary School.
“Through the process of putting the show together,” she continued, “our students developed confidence, creativity and a strong sense of teamwork. It created a space where every child felt seen, valued and capable. This experience has strengthened our school culture and reminded us of the power of the arts to bring a community together.”
The 2026 Student Share Celebration featured:
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All the students from the six schools teaming up to open the night, fittingly, with “It Starts With a Dream.”
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Students from Craig Elementary School performing “Dalmatian Conga” from 101 Dalmatians Kids.
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Students from Thiriot Elementary School performing “Big Blue World”” from Finding Nemo Kids.
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Students from Snyder Elementary School performing “One Jump Ahead” from Aladdin Kids.
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Students from Von Tobel Middle School performing “Try Everything” from Dare to Dream Jr.
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Students from Parson Elementary School performing “Go With the Flow” from Finding Nemo Kids.
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Students from Ward Elementary School performing “In Summer” from Frozen Kids.
Maria Silva, an Emmy Award-winning journalist; host, producer and writer of Bienvenidos a Las Vegas; and host of Vegas PBS’ Student Spotlight, served as host for the 2026 Disney Musicals in School Student Share Celebration.
“Theater is about community and coming together and building something very special, and it gives us a chance to see how other people live by stepping into their shoes,” Silva said. “Plus, benefits of Disney Musicals in Schools are so countless, like increased confidence, better participation, improved attendance and improved language learning and retention. The arts are just so special.”
In 2013, The Smith Center became just the second organization outside of New York to implement the Disney Musicals in Schools program. Today, The Smith Center is one of 27 arts organizations across the country and in the U.K. to offer the program
Disney Musicals in Schools provides a limited number of area schools with free performances rights and ShowKit materials to a 30-minute Disney musical. Professional teaching artists guide schoolteachers through the process of mounting a musical with student performers.
The mission of Disney Musicals in Schools is to provide the training necessary for teachers to continue a tradition of theater education for years to come.
To participate in The Smith Center’s Disney Musicals in Schools program, interested schools must submit an application. Schools eligible for participation will have 75% or more of their students enrolled in the Free and Reduced Price Lunch program.
Since its inception, Disney Musicals in Schools has served more than 100,000 students.
This year’s six participating Las Vegas schools recently staged their own in-school musicals before coming together at The Smith Center to share some of what they’ve learned in front of family members and friends.
“For us, producing this show was much more than just teaching our students how to memorize lines and learn new music,” said Adam Martinez, a teacher at Von Tobel Middle School. “It was about building confidence, watching our students thrive and engaging with our community.
“All of our students have done an excellent job being there for one another, supporting one another on and off the stage, and they have learned that they can accomplish any goal, anything they set their mind to, as long as they have grit, determination and they use their own brand of magic.”
To learn more about Disney Musicals in Schools and The Smith Center’s other educational programming, visit TheSmithCenter.com/education and DisneyMusicalsInSchools.com.