Student production supported by Disney Theatrical Group’s Disney Musicals in Schools program.
Students from Cocoa’s Endeavour Elementary took the stage Thursday night at the Rockledge High School auditorium for a performance of “101 Dalmatians KIDS,” made possible through hands‑on guidance from Disney Cruise Line and support from Disney Musicals in Schools’ Stage Connect initiative.
The evening was filled with Disney magic that extended well beyond the stage. The young cast received a surprise visit from Captain Mickey Mouse, while a sea of Disney VoluntEARS from Disney Cruise Line cheered from the audience. In a touching tribute to their hard work, the student performers were presented with handcrafted flowers created by crew members from the Disney Destiny.
“At Disney Cruise Line, we believe that every student has a unique story to tell,” said Q Jones, senior manager of corporate social responsibility, Disney Cruise Line. “We're proud of what the students of Endeavour Elementary have accomplished and look forward to empowering more youth in our port communities to become the next generation of storytellers through the creative arts.”
Last November, Disney Cruise Line announced its “Discover Your Destiny” initiative to honor the launch of the Disney Destiny cruise ship. The community program is designed to inspire youth and educators through exploration and exposure to creative arts experiences. In collaboration with local organizations, Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of professional entertainment into classrooms across Florida and The Bahamas.
Through the “Discover Your Destiny” initiative, Endeavour Elementary students and teachers got a behind-the-scenes look at the Broadway-style theater onboard the Disney Wish, costume-making workshops with Disney experts, and the opportunity to perform for the cruise line’s crew members from across the world.
“The impact of this collaboration is profound,” said Catherine Murphy, Principal at Endeavour Elementary. “We have taken these kids from normal, everyday students in elementary school to incredible actors and actresses. Our students, who were hesitant at first, have really blossomed. We have watched our students really find a passion that they are willing to explore for future years to come.”
The success of the final performance was made possible by Disney Musicals in Schools, an initiative of the Disney Theatrical Group. The program builds enduring theater programs in public schools by providing free performance rights, materials, and professional development to educators.
“What these students and educators accomplished is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when young people are given the opportunity to tell stories through the arts,” said Lisa Mitchell, director of education and audience engagement at Disney Theatrical Group. “Programs like Disney Musicals in Schools help make arts education accessible and impactful for students across the country.”
Endeavour Elementary was selected as one of over 70 elementary schools nationwide to participate in the inaugural launch of Stage Connect, an innovative online expansion of the Disney Musicals in Schools program.
Stage Connect is a free online training experience that empowers teachers with the tools and resources to produce a Disney KIDS musical, bringing students together through the magic of theater and beloved Disney stories. Through this unique program, Endeavour Elementary received free professional development, educational materials and performance rights to stage “101 Dalmatians KIDS.”
“Discover Your Destiny” is part of the Disney Cruise Line’s broader commitment to community investment and creative opportunities, which was recently recognized on Forbes’ 2026 List of America’s Best Brands for Social Impact. Learn more about Disney’s commitment to inspiring future generations of storytellers, dreamers, heroes and leaders at Impact.Disney.com.