When 25 students from The Link Theatre Company’s Elevate program took the stage at Disney Springs in late June, they represented more than a performance troupe; they represented years of training, mentorship and a growing commitment to bringing professional theater opportunities to young performers in Northeast Arkansas.

The Link Theatre Company was founded by Jonesboro native Matt Cavenaugh and Jenny Powers, who met while performing on Broadway and later married, eventually relocating to Jonesboro with their three children, George, Henry and Rose.

The Link is a Jonesboro-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bringing Broadway-caliber theater experiences to the region. Through performances, educational programs and professional training opportunities, the organization has become a creative home for students who dream of pursuing the performing arts.

One of the organization’s fastest-growing initiatives is Elevate, The Link’s youth musical theater training program.

“The Link's Elevate Program is a youth musical theater and theater program taught by professionals in the business,” Powers said.

Each spring, the program offers an eight-week training course for students in grades two through six. Throughout the year, older students participate in intensive workshops and specialized training opportunities led by Broadway performers, television actors and other industry professionals.

“This past year, Elevate also offered a Broadway Dance Class for beginner and intermediate level dancers,” said Powers. “Because there is always a demand for more Elevate, we continue to build on the program every year.”

That growth was evident this summer when a group of 25 Elevate students, ranging from fifth grade through college age, traveled to Walt Disney World to perform through an opportunity made possible by Disney Imagination Campus.

For student Samantha Robinson, 12, the opportunity was the realization of a dream she has held since seeing her first Broadway productions.

“This is a dream come true to perform at Disney,” Robinson said. “I'm honored to be able to perform at Disney World and take the Broadway Magic Class.”

Robinson said her passion for musical theater began after seeing “Frozen” and “The Lion King” on Broadway.

“I was amazed and knew this was my dream,” she said.

The Disney opportunity originated with The Link Theatre Guild President and Board Member Suzy Treece, whose love for Disney sparked the idea of creating a performance experience for Elevate students.

“Suzy Treece has been our fearless leader on the Elevate Disney adventure,” said Powers. “This opportunity all stemmed from her idea to have Elevate kids perform at Disney World.”

The process was far from simple. Students submitted video auditions as part of Disney's application process, and organizers spent months preparing both the performance and the logistics required to bring dozens of students and family members to Florida.

“We had to go through an intense application and audition process to be accepted, but it all worked out,” said Powers.

Once accepted, students began preparing a 20-minute showcase designed specifically for the Disney Springs Waterfront Stage. Powers worked alongside musical director Mary Medrick and choreographer Baylor McElhaney to create a fast-paced production featuring songs from “Tangled,” “Snow White,” “Frozen,” “Newsies” and “Descendants.”

“Baylor McElhaney, Mary Medrick and I spent months putting this showcase together,” Powers said.

The production was intentionally designed to give every student an opportunity to shine.

“It is not your typical show choir or dance troupe,” said Powers. “The showcase is 20 minutes of nonstop singing and dancing to some of our favorite contemporary Disney music.”

Because the group consisted of students with varying strengths and experience levels, the creative team worked to ensure every performer received individual moments in the spotlight.

“Every student gets to embody different Disney characters, and each one has a solo to shine individually as well,” said Powers.

The resulting performance showcased not only talent, but also the confidence and growth students had developed through their training with Elevate.

For Powers, that growth is one of the program’s greatest successes.

“I hope our students gain professional-level performance experience, enhanced teamwork skills and exposure to real-world entertainment careers,” she said.

Beyond the performance itself, students participated in Disney's Broadway Magic Class, where they worked with Disney professionals and learned music and choreography from “I've Got a Dream” from “Tangled: The Musical.” Experiences like these give students a first-hand look at the expectations and opportunities that exist within the professional entertainment industry.

“By stepping onto a global stage, students build confidence, learn how to adapt to new environments and develop a lasting passion for the arts,” said Powers.

The Disney trip also highlighted the strong community that has formed around The Link Theatre. Families traveled alongside students, creating shared memories while supporting their performers. Treece coordinated much of the planning process, serving as the liaison between Disney, The Link Theatre and participating families.

“I am excited for the students to have this amazing opportunity,” Treece said before the trip. “The students and their families will create magical memories.”

The 25 Elevate students participating in the Disney trip were Cora Boves, Juliet and Ruby Bristow, Mia and Jana Caang, George and Henry Cavenaugh, Molly Childers, Hensley Cook, Ruby Ford, Anna Kate and Reid Haustein, Lily Henson, Harper Heringer, Ben Jones, Anna Jones, Marleigh Lawrence, Eviegale McDaniel, Jude Mitchell, Abigail Pieroni, Samantha Robinson, Emmy Claire Rogers, Presley Schoolfield, Avery Smith and Maddie Stitts.

While the Disney performance has concluded, its impact is likely to continue long after the final curtain call. Students returned home with new skills, new experiences and a deeper understanding of what is possible through dedication to their craft.

As The Link Theatre continues expanding its educational offerings, Powers said the organization remains committed to creating meaningful opportunities for young performers in Jonesboro and throughout Northeast Arkansas. In fact, the Disney showcase may not have been its final performance.

“We are working on that,” Powers said when asked about a potential local encore performance. "The showcase is incredibly entertaining. Our Jonesboro community would love it.”

For an organization founded on the idea of bringing Broadway to Jonesboro, the Disney experience was another step toward showing local students that world-class opportunities can begin right here at home.