Mouseketeer reunion and teen theater overlap in Central Florida

Former Mickey Mouse Club cast members reunited in Orlando for House of Mouse Expo while Jennifer McGill directed Hadestown: Teen Edition in nearby Ormond Beach the same weekend. The split-screen moment underscored Always In The Club Foundation’s mentorship mission and set up the next phase for its collector’s book and youth arts programs.

Why it matters: - The weekend showed how the legacy of Disney’s All-New Mickey Mouse Club is being turned into a mentorship pipeline for young performers. - Jennifer McGill’s dual role connected the reunion of former Mouseketeers with hands-on arts education for teens in Central Florida. - The event also kept attention on Always In The Club Foundation’s book launch and youth programming.

What happened: - Always In The Club Foundation capped its return to Orlando at House of Mouse Expo, held July 31 through August 2 at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista. - Cast members Chasen Hampton, Tony Lucca, Dale Godboldo, Albert Fields, Damon Pampolina, and Jennifer McGill met fans, signed books and took part in a reunion panel, an after party and Club Meetups with donors at Walt Disney World Resort. - The Expo was the fourth annual celebration of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel fandom, produced by The Main Street Mouse. - McGill also directed Halifax Repertory Theatre’s teen ensemble in Hadestown: Teen Edition at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, running July 31 through August 9. - The two events put McGill on stages about 40 minutes apart within the same weekend.

The details: - The Orlando reunion centered on the Limited Edition book, Always In The Club: The True Story of the All-New Mickey Mouse Club. - The Expo guest lineup included Joey Lawrence, Matthew Lawrence, Andrew Lawrence, Emily Swallow, Daniel Logan, John O’Hurley, Kaitlyn Robrock, Olivia Olson, Jenna von Oy and others tied to Disney properties. - McGill serves as Director of Arts Education for Halifax Repertory Theatre. - Hadestown: Teen Edition continues through August 9. - Tickets are available at Halifax Rep. - Support for Always In The Club Foundation’s youth mentorship and arts education programs is available at Always In The Club. - The Foundation said the Limited Edition Collector’s Series of Always In The Club was one of the final chances to buy the book, with a small number sold only on site. - A waiting list exists for a possible second printing. - A Trade Edition is planned for general release later this year. - More information on the Expo is available at the House of Mouse Expo page. - More information on the book is available at the book page.

Between the lines: - McGill’s weekend illustrated the foundation’s core message: former child performers can become mentors for the next generation. - Chasen Hampton framed McGill’s work at Halifax Rep as a direct extension of the organization’s mission. - The overlap also gave the Mickey Mouse Club reunion added symbolism, since the city where the show was filmed is still central to the cast’s public identity.

What's next: - Hadestown: Teen Edition remains onstage in Ormond Beach through August 9. - Always In The Club Foundation is preparing a broader release for the book later this year. - The foundation continues to seek support for its mentorship and arts education programs through its website.