Home » News » District » CHS Theatre Awarded Disney on Broadway Grant

We’re thrilled to announce that Central High School’s Theatre program has been selected as a national recipient of the Disney on Broadway “School of Excellence” Grant—one of the highest honors in educational theatre. CHS is just 1 of 21 schools across America selected for the program.

This prestigious award is made possible through a partnership between Disney Theatrical Group, Musical Theatre International (MTI), and the Educational Theatre Foundation, which recognizes exceptional school programs committed to nurturing student leadership and creativity in the performing arts.

As part of this grant, CHS Theatre will produce the Disney musical Freaky Friday in March 2026 with:

  • Three royalty-free performances
  • Complimentary usage rights to official logos and video licenses
  • National publicity through Disney and partner platforms

The production will emphasize student collaboration and leadership in every area—from performance to choreography, lighting, set design, stage management, and more.

“This award will help to support and grow the amazing student talent we have in our CHS Performing Arts programs,” said Theatre Director Christine Heckman. “We’re incredibly excited to share this experience with our community.”

“This program celebrates what happens when students are empowered to lead, create, and collaborate,” said Dr. Jennifer Katona, President of the Educational Theatre Foundation. “We’re not just supporting school theatre, we’re also investing in the future of the art form.”

Stay tuned for ticket information and ways to support our students in this national spotlight production coming in spring 2026.

🔗 Learn more about the program:

📍 Mark your calendars for March 2026—we can’t wait to see you at CHS for Freaky Friday!


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