Starlight is excited to announce a new partnership with Disney this spring for a virtual field trip and screening of NEWSIES: The Broadway Musical.
“Starlight has been actively pursuing new pathways to arts experiences throughout the pandemic, and though nothing can replace the experience of young people sitting next to each other at a live theatre performance, this virtual field trip creates new avenues to learning through the arts,” said Alex Jones, Starlight’s Vice President of Community Engagement.
NEWSIES will stream through Disney’s virtual screening platform April 5-30 and will be a free event for educators serving grades 6-12. Eligible schools must also have a student population in which at least 50% qualify for free and reduced lunch.
In addition to the performance, the program will include supplementary materials such as access to a talkback with the Disney team who brought NEWSIES to the stage, a companion study guide and a dance tutorial featuring iconic choreography from the show.
“The NEWSIES virtual field trip provides a truly unique arts experience as students continue to learn from home. At no cost to participating schools or students, we hope it will provide a meaningful connection to the arts and a bit of joy during a year in which Kansas City school communities have seen many challenges,” added Jones.
With theatres and schools taking a huge hit during the pandemic, both Starlight and Disney are committed to finding innovative ways to keep students engaged with performing arts.
Registration to participate in the screening of NEWSIES is required by March 22. Access codes and instructions will be provided only should one choose to join.
For more information or to register, contact Starlight’s Community Engagement Department at education@starlight.com.
More about NEWSIES: The Broadway Musical
NEWSIES is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged ‘newsies,’ who only dreams of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. NEWSIES is a new American musical that will feature a Tony Award-winning score with music by eight-time Academy Award®-winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, a book by four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein and is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. NEWSIES is directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, who won a 2012 Tony Award for his work on the show. Since opening on Broadway in 2011, NEWSIES has played 1,711 performances between Broadway and the North American tour, to more than 2.5 million audience members in 65 cities across the country.
