Over 400 students representing 18 New York City public middle schools had the chance of a lifetime when they performed songs from Broadway musicals on the stage of the Majestic Theatre yesterday, May 17 as part of the 5th annual Broadway Junior Student Share program. This year's event was hosted by Corbin Bleu, currently starring on Broadway in In the Heights and one of the stars of Disney's phenomenally successful "High School Musical" film and television series.
Sponsored by The Shubert Foundation, Musical Theatre International (MTI), along with the New York City Department of Education and Arts Connection, the Broadway Junior Student Share yesterday marked the first time that the event has taken place on a Broadway stage. The event was produced by Arts Connection and iTheatrics.
The participating students (grades 6-8) came to Broadway Junior Student Share as part of a two-year arts and education program that sends teaching artists into public schools to instruct youngsters in all aspects of the performing arts and what it takes to put on a show, preparing the students to produce a musical in their schools.
Students from 18 public schools in New York City took to the stage of the Majestic and performed numbers from the junior editions of such well-known musicals at Annie, Once on this Island, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Honk!, Willy Wonka and Aladdin. Many of the 400-plus youngsters who participated have never seen a Broadway show, let alone perform on a Broadway stage.
BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the event.
Photo Credit: Monica Simoes
