Disney's High School Musical director-choreographer Kenny Ortega is in the studio, wildcats! The legendary creative (also behind classics like Newsies, Hocus Pocus and the Descendants franchise) joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to celebrate 20 years of "breaking free" with the DCOM. This episode touches on: - How gratitude and kindness have shaped Kenny Ortega's legendary career and the enduring legacy of High School Musical. - Incredible behind-the-scenes stories and leadership insights from Hocus Pocus, Newsies, and, of course, the HSM franchise. - The impact of collaborating with folks like Cameron Boyce, Bette Midler and Gene Kelly have had on him + so much more. - There may even be a surprise from a High School Musical star! KENNY ORTEGA a is a renowned director, producer, and choreographer famous for creating family-friendly musical hits like Disney's High School Musical and Descendants franchises, cult classics Hocus Pocus and Newsies, and choreographing beloved films such as Dirty Dancing and Pretty in Pink, plus extensive work with icons like Michael Jackson, Madonna and Cher. He started in theater and music videos, then transitioned to film and TV, earning acclaimed and awards like a Disney Legends Award for his genre-bending work. Support the Cameron Boyce Foundation: https://www.thecameronboycefoundation.org/ Follow Kenny @kennyortegablog Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@artofkindnesspod⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠@robpeterpaul⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@artofkindnesspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show⁠⁠⁠⁠! (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok⁠⁠⁠⁠) Got kindness tips or stories? Want to just say hi? Please email us: [email protected] Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices