Hakuna Matata! Students find their voices thanks to a Disney program brining musical theatre to under-resourced schools.
The sounds of the African Savanna fill the stage at Savannah Lakes Elementary School in Rosharon, Texas. Savannah Lakes is one of four Houston-area schools chosen by Disney and Theatre Under The Stars to perform a Disney musical.
Savannah Lakes fifth grader Jordyn Slaughter loves the stage, "My parents are proud of me. Especially my mom, The Lion King is one of her favorite movies.
"initiative. The plan is to create sustainable theatre programs in under-resourced schools. The schools receive performance rights and free theatre support, including guidance from teaching artists. RELATED: Disney surprises HISD's Paige Elementary in honor of historic 'The Lion King KIDS' production "The beauty about this program is that it's a very specific way that we teach how to bring a musical from inception to the grand stage.
" Savannah Lakes Musical Director Shirron Hawkins says, "We are so grateful that Disney chose us, and it's great to me to be a trailblazer. That means we are setting the tone for what TUTS and Disney have to come.
" Rehearsals for The Lion King KIDS started back in January, twice a week for 90 minutes. The third through fifth-graders have been finding their voice, their steps, and their confidence. Hawkins says, "Musical theatre builds the whole child, you're reading, you're going home, and you're singing. You're getting in front of that mirror and giving it all that you have, and then you're going to make your parents watch in the living room.
" After 18 weeks of practice and preparation, all four local schools, Savannah Lakes, Roderick Paige, James Ross, and Cimarron Elementaries, were ready to take the big stage. On Monday, May 18, 2026, the students performed and gave it their all at Houston's Hobby Center in front of family and friends. Each school also received a DonorsChoose gift certificate to help them kick-start their musical productions for next year.
Learn more about Disney's efforts to show up for kids and teachers in classrooms across all 50 states at
Disney School Program Musical Theater Theater Under The Stars Tuts Hobby Center 19132414
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