Educational Theatre Association, Disney Theatrical Group, and Music Theatre International are announcing The United States of Frozen: Love Is an Open Door, a groundbreaking new theatre competition for high schools across the country. Through an online application process, one high school in every U.S. state and territory will win exclusive rights to present Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical in their state, resulting in 50+ high school productions of the beloved stage musical across the country in the coming school year.

This sweeping contest seeks to promote inclusion and outreach in high school theatre programs through the theme "Love Is an Open Door." Applicants will be asked to demonstrate how they will use their production of Frozen to strengthen their school community, provide outreach to underserved groups, and support inclusive and diverse theatre programs.

EdTA will select one winning school in every U.S. state and territory to receive a prize package including the rights to produce up to 3 performances of Frozen; a free digital script, score, and orchestrations; a free video license, and more. Applications are open now until August 1, 2022, and winning schools will present their productions of Frozen between September 2022 and January 2024.

The contest was officially unveiled at the International Thespian Festival Closing Ceremony on June 24. To the excitement of the Thespian audience in attendance, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series creator Tim Federle and cast members Julia Lester and Dara Reneé appeared via video to make the surprise announcement. The third season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, which prominently features the stage version of Frozen, premieres on Disney+ on July 27.

"After mounting first-class productions of Frozen on Broadway, in the West End, on tour throughout North America, and in Japan, Germany and Australia, I am thrilled that the wonderful story of Frozen will soon be told on high school stages throughout the U.S.," said David R. Scott, Director of Theatrical Licensing, Disney Theatrical Group. "The show's message of love and acceptance will be celebrated through the diverse array of talented students bringing the beloved characters of Arendelle to life while supporting their peers and local community."

John Prignano, MTI's Chief Operating Officer & Director of Education and Development remarked, "We are thrilled to collaborate with our friends and partners at EdTA and Disney Theatrical Group. This initiative brings one of Disney's most beloved shows to schools across the country, and we cannot wait to see the magic unfold on their stages. We look forward to being inspired by their schools' talents and creativity."

The 50+ winning productions will mark the first-ever school productions of Frozen anywhere in the world . Based on the hit 2013 animated feature film, Disney's stage adaptation of Frozen opened on Broadway in March 2018. The film's co-director and screenwriter Jennifer Lee wrote the musical's book, and songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez penned brand-new music for the stage. The Broadway production of Frozen is currently on tour in North America. In 2019, Disney released Frozen JR. (a 60-minute adaptation for middle school-aged performers) and Frozen KIDS (a 30-minute adaptation for elementary school-aged performers), which continue to thrill and delight students in grades K-9 around the world. The full-length version of Frozen is not available for wider licensing at this time, making The United States of Frozen a truly momentous celebration of this timeless story.

The United States of Frozen is open to any high school in the U.S., including U.S. territories, and all eligible schools are encouraged to apply. Full eligibility rules and the application can be found at www.schooltheatre.org/frozen .