If the large crowd that gathered in Times Square on a snowy March afternoon was any indication, when it comes to musicals in schools, the show must go on!  Musicals in Our Schools Week is designed to spotlight the importance of musical theater programs in schools across the country.

This year’s week long schedule of grassroots advocacy and musical celebrations were kicked off, Broadway-style, on Monday, March 18th. Starry eyed students from New York area high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools were on hand to show off their showbiz chops “on Broadway.” And let me tell you, there’s nothing like hearing dozens of kids belting out, “The sun’ll come out tomorrow,” against the backdrop of Times Square, to put a smile on your face and prove the power of the arts.

Musicals In Our Schools Week is a great reminder that musicals are the only art form that allows school kids to utilize so many disciplines at once - acting, dancing, music, visual art, and even technology with lights and sound. All skills that go into building confidence, literacy, artistic talent, and having fun in the process. Above all, musical theater requires massive collaboration. It takes all kinds of kids, teachers, and parents to pull off a musical and there’s no better or more satisfying teamwork than working toward an opening night that everyone can be proud of.

It was particularly heart warming to celebrate the kick off of Musicals In Our Schools Week with the students of Leadership and Public Service High School in lower Manhattan whose arts programing had to be entirely rebuilt  when their school sustained damage and was temporarily shut down on 9/11 to become a makeshift morgue.

Also, congratulations to students from East Rockaway High School who’s plans for SEUSSICAL JR were derailed when their theater, sets and costumes were underwater following Hurricane Sandy. And yet, in true theater fashion, the show went on. The community came together to enjoy a great night of theater magic, minus the sets and costumes. By all accounts it was a thrilling event.
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Efforts are being made toward introducing brand new musical theater programs to schools around country. Teacher trainings, new funding sources, and an ever growing selection of junior versions of musicals like, MUSIC MAN JR, DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID JR, and many, many others, make it easier than ever for schools large and small to create sustainable musical theater programs.

So, how can you participate in Musicals In Our Schools Week? It’s easy! Get involved with and support your local school’s musical theater programs! Volunteer! Donate money! Or simply buy a ticket to a school show and treat yourself to an evening of musical theater performed by the inspiring kids who will change the world someday.

When it comes to musical theater programs in our schools, the show MUST go on!

Read all of Brisa’s Pieces here.
You can reach Brisa on twitter: @brisatrinchero. I also blog about the art and business of new musicals at www.makemusicals.com. I look forward to hearing from you!