Dr. Phillips Center Brings The Lion King to 1,600+ Central Florida Residents
Dr. Phillips Center hosts, supports and fundraises to provide Community Giveback opportunities throughout the year. Alongside partners and donors, these special events focus on creating unique experiences for guests from all walks of life. For many attendees, this is their first exposure to live theater and even a Broadway show.
What Are Community Givebacks?
The tradition of hosting Community Givebacks started in 2017 as part of the art center’s vision of delivering Arts For Every Life® and has since spread the joy of performing arts across the local community. To date, the arts center has purchased nearly 60,000 tickets to host guests for these unique theater experiences and contributed over $24.4 million to purpose and community.
“We’re creating firsts, sparking joy and sharing moments that can inspire a lifelong love of the arts,” says Kathy Ramsberger, president & CEO of Dr. Phillips Center. “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, our team is reaching more communities than ever— a true reflection of our promise to deliver Arts for Every Life®.”
The first giveback in 2017 started with about 100 guests who were invited to experience Disney’s The Lion King. Since then, the arts center has remained committed to growing the program and partnering with donors and corporate sponsors who share our vision.
The Lion King and Arts Accessibility
Fast forward to May 17, 2025, and our team wrapped up its largest community giveback in the arts center’s 10-year history— with more than 1,600 guests experiencing the world’s #1 musical inside Walt Disney Theater. Talk about a full-circle moment!
Throughout the show’s four-week Broadway run in downtown Orlando, 35 different organizations from three Central Florida counties participated in nine community givebacks—including 29 newly engaged organizations in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
The community giveback wrapped up with City and County Day on May 17, 2025, where City of Orlando and Orange County Government elected leaders, from all districts, highlighted 13 community organizations they selected to participate.
The experience included complimentary transportation provided by GoPegasus, a pre-show reception with trivia, lunch provided by Sysco, tickets to the show and a themed swag bag to bring home.
Meet the Organizations Who Joined Us for The Lion King
- Academic Center for Excellence
- Aloma Elementary
- Carver Middle School
- Catalina Elementary
- Castle Creek Elementary
- Clay Springs Elementary School
- Dress for Success
- Dover Shores Community Center
- Dover Shores Elementary
- Foundation for Foster Children
- Greater Malibu Groves Association
- Habitat for Humanity
- Highlands Elementary
- Hispanic Heritage Network of Orange County
- Lake Como K-8
- Lake Gem Elementary
- Lake Whitney Elementary School
- Legacy Middle School
- Michigan Avenue Elementary
- NonPareil Institute
- Oak Hill Elementary
- Orange County Public School Teachers
- Orange County Sherrif’s Office
- Orlando Police Department
- Osceola County Public School Teachers
- Osceola County Sherrif’s Office
- Robinswood Middle School
- Rosemont Neighborhood Center
- Salvation Army
- Seminole County Public School Teachers
- Seminole County Sherrif’s Office
- Spring Lake Elementary
- United Foundation of Central Florida
- United States Veteran Affairs
- Vista Lakes Elementary
- Your Name in Lights
- Youth Orchestra United