R.B Hudson receives Disney Junior Grant for production of ‘Lion King’

Published 4:06 pm Tuesday, October 29, 2019

R.B. Hudson Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy recently received word that it will be the recipient of a Disney Junior Grant, which provides performance licenses to its Broadway Junior catalog of shows and various resources free of charge to qualified schools, to fund its production of The Lion King JR.

“The arts are an essential element in education, just like reading, writing and arithmetic…music, dance painting and theatre are all keys that unlock profound human understanding and accomplishment,” R.B. Hudson STEAM Academy Principal Cicely Curtis said in a press release. “The arts help our scholars become like themselves instead of more like everyone else.”

According to the Disney Theatrical Licensing’s website, the grants were available to accredited U.S. schools with a 50 percent free or reduced lunch rate or higher that “demonstrate a commitment to the arts,” as well as a need and the capacity to support a student production and theatre learning.

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Additionally, schools had to “showcase compelling reasons for selection,” demonstrate the ability to provide “space, time and resources” to produce the show and provide a plan for completion.

The grant gives the school a comprehensive ShowKit, which includes a director’s guide, a piano and vocal score, 30 scripts, rehearsal and accompaniment tracks, choreography videos and a resources disk, as well as rights to hold public performances and access to The Lion King Experience website for one year.

“Receiving this grant gives our scholars the opportunity to explore the fundamentals of theater-making through an innovative theater curriculum before bringing the iconic musical to life on stage,” the Selma City Schools press release stated.

According to the press release, R.B. Hudson STEAM Academy “partnered with several organizations” throughout the area in preparing for the grant and the ensuing production, specifically the Selma Chapter of Links, Inc.

The school’s production of The Lion King JR. will take place in spring of next year.