May 27, 2025 New York City Public School middle school students from across the boroughs — Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens — recently took center stage at the 20th annual Shubert Foundation & Music Theatre International Broadway Junior Student Finale. This incredible event celebrated the culmination of their hard work, as they performed numbers from their full school productions of beloved Broadway musicals.

A Dream Come True: Performing on a Broadway Stage

For hundreds of talented students, this marked their first time performing on a Broadway stage, a truly unforgettable experience. Hosted by Nicholas Matos of Smash and Aline Mayagoitia from Real Women Have Curves, the finale showcased a diverse range of shows. Audiences were treated to excerpts from popular Broadway Junior titles including:

• Disney's Aladdin JR.
• Disney's Alice in Wonderland JR.
• Annie JR.
• Disney's High School Musical JR.
• Disney's The Lion King JR.
• Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR.
• Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR.
• Disney's Newsies JR.
• Seussical JR.
• Shrek The Musical JR.

Two Decades of Impact: The Shubert Foundation & MTI Broadway Junior Partnership

Diana Phillips, President of The Shubert Foundation, highlighted the program's enduring legacy, stating, "More than 30,000 students have benefitted from this program over the past 20 years and it is a privilege for us to help make these formative and memorable experiences possible." This powerful partnership between The Shubert Foundation and MTI Broadway Junior is a dedicated musical theatre mentorship program. It plays a vital role in transforming school culture through theatre education, engaging students in all facets of the arts, and equipping teachers with the necessary tools for top-tier theatre instruction.

The program offers a structured, multi-year approach:

• Year One: Teachers and students receive step-by-step guidance in producing their school's first-ever musical.
• Year Two: Continued support is provided, but teachers and students take on greater ownership of their productions.
• Year Three: Schools independently produce their shows, demonstrating their growth and mastery.

NYC Public School Students | Photo: Daniel Rader

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos underscored the program's profound impact, noting, "The Shubert Foundation and MTI Broadway Junior partnership with our Arts Office is an example of how the arts can empower our students both inside the classroom and on the big stage." She expressed deep appreciation for this commitment, which provides young people with "unforgettable experiences that will leave a lasting impact on their artistic journeys."

This inspiring event is a testament to the power of arts education and the dedication of organizations committed to nurturing the next generation of Broadway stars!