Dr. Phillips High School Performing Arts: The School That Launched Wayne Brady, Joey Fatone, and DJ Khaled
How a Southwest Orlando high school became one of the most star-studded campuses in America
Dr. Phillips High School is a public high school located at 6500 Turkey Lake Road in Orlando, FL, directly across from Universal Orlando Resort. The school opened in 1987 and is home to Orange County's only high school-level Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Magnet program, offering seven strands: band, chorus, dance, orchestra, theatre, TV/film production, and visual art. Notable performing arts and entertainment alumni include Wayne Brady (Class of 1989), DJ Khaled (1993), JC Chasez of *NSYNC (1994), Joey Fatone of *NSYNC (1995), and Grammy winner Luis Fonsi (1995). The theatre department has performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland multiple times since 1995, and the VPA Magnet is open to any student residing in Orange County through audition.
Here's something most people moving to Orlando don't realize: one of the most star-studded high schools in America is right here in Dr. Phillips, directly across the street from Universal Studios. Dr. Phillips High School produced Wayne Brady, two members of *NSYNC, DJ Khaled, and the guy who gave us "Despacito" — all from the same campus.
But this isn't just celebrity trivia. The school's Visual and Performing Arts Magnet program is a genuine game-changer for families in Central Florida, and it's been building something truly special for nearly four decades.
A Brief History: From Opening Day to Star Factory
Dr. Phillips High School opened in the fall of 1987 on a 55-acre campus in Southwest Orange County. The location was (and still is) hard to beat — the campus literally sits across the street from Universal Orlando Resort. Students can hear roller coaster screams through classroom windows. Only in Orlando, right?
From the start, the school was designed to be more than typical. It was established as a Visual and Performing Arts Magnet for Orange County Public Schools — the only high school-level VPA Magnet in the entire district. With Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Hard Rock Live, and dozens of entertainment companies nearby, the school had a built-in pipeline of real-world performance opportunities that most programs could only dream about.
The Famous Alumni: A Hallway of Future Stars
Let's get to what everyone wants to know — the wild list of people who walked these halls in the late '80s and '90s. Many of them weren't just classmates — they were friends and collaborators.
Wayne Brady (Class of 1989) grew up in nearby Tangelo Park and was bused to Dr. Phillips High. He stumbled into acting his junior year when a friend dropped out of the school play Dark of the Moon and Brady took the role. He credits drama teacher Karen Rugerio with opening his world. After graduating, Brady performed at Walt Disney World and SAK Comedy Lab in Downtown Orlando before breaking out on Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Joey Fatone (Class of 1995) moved from Brooklyn to Orlando at age 13 and found his creative home at DPHS. He sang alongside Luis Fonsi in the school's a cappella group "The Big Guys." JC Chasez (Class of 1994) also attended — making DPHS the school that produced two members of *NSYNC, one of the best-selling boy bands ever.
DJ Khaled (Class of 1993) was a Dr. Phillips Panther before "We the Best" became a cultural catchphrase. Luis Fonsi (Class of 1995) — the Grammy winner behind "Despacito" — moved to Orlando from Puerto Rico and bonded with Fatone over music. They even tried doing a children's TV show in dinosaur costumes together.
The list keeps going: MLB's Johnny Damon (1992) and A.J. Pierzynski (1994), NFL legend Warren Sapp, actress Amanda Seales, filmmaker Brit Marling, and Olympic diver Mark Ruiz all walked these same halls.
The VPA Magnet Program Today: Seven Strands of Excellence
The Visual and Performing Arts Magnet at DPHS isn't resting on its celebrity alumni — it's still one of the premier arts programs in the Southeast. The VPA offers seven strands: band, chorus, dance, orchestra, theatre, TV/film production, and visual art. The curriculum in each department resembles a university-level program, and the results speak for themselves.
Theatre: Edinburgh-Bound and Award-Winning
The DPHS Theatre Magnet has been internationally recognized. Every 3-4 years, theatre students travel to London and Edinburgh, Scotland, visiting The Globe Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company — and performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest performing arts festival in the world. The program has made this trip multiple times since 1995, with productions including Spoon River Anthology, Avenue Q, and Moby Dick. Theatre auditions require two contrasting one-minute monologues plus a written reflection component.
Orchestra, Music, Dance, and TV/Film
The orchestra's Premiere Orchestra ensemble has earned Superior ratings at state festivals in seven of the last nine years and received the "Orchestra in the Wings" Award from the Orlando Philharmonic in 2018 and 2024. Band and chorus regularly earn Superior ratings as well. The dance program competes at state level, and the TV/film strand gives students hands-on media experience — particularly valuable with entertainment companies right across the street.
Why Location Matters: The Orlando Entertainment Ecosystem
Here's what makes DPHS different from arts magnet programs in other cities: the school is embedded within Orlando's entertainment industry. Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, Hard Rock Live, and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts downtown all provide support and performance opportunities for students. Nationally known artists regularly visit during the annual Artists-in-Residence week.
For families considering Central Florida, this proximity is a genuine educational advantage — students get real-world exposure to professional entertainment while still in high school. Explore more area arts and culture options in our comprehensive Dr. Phillips arts and culture guide.
How to Get In: The Magnet Admission Process
One of the best things about the VPA Magnet? You don't have to live in the Dr. Phillips attendance zone to attend. Any student living in Orange County can audition through OCPS School Choice Services. Applications typically open each November for the following school year, with auditions held at Dr. Phillips High School in February. Each strand has its own audition requirements — theatre students perform memorized monologues, musicians prepare audition pieces, dancers demonstrate technique, and visual artists present portfolios.
For families in neighboring communities like Windermere, Horizon West, and Metro West, the magnet program makes DPHS accessible even if you're zoned for a different school — a meaningful factor when choosing where to buy. For detailed school ratings, visit our comprehensive Dr. Phillips schools and education guide.
More Than Just Arts: The Full DPHS Picture
The VPA Magnet gets the headlines, but DPHS is well-rounded. The school also houses a Center for International Studies magnet, career academies in medical and business fields, and earns an A-minus rating from Niche with multiple state championships in athletics.
What the Locals Know
Dr. Phillips High School is one of the most compelling arguments for raising a family in Southwest Orlando. The VPA Magnet has produced nationally recognized talent for nearly 40 years, and the fact that any Orange County student can audition makes it a draw for families across the metro. For parents who want world-class arts education surrounded by Disney, Universal, and one of the country's most vibrant entertainment ecosystems — DPHS is the real deal. ✨
For more information about programs, auditions, and upcoming performances, visit the official Dr. Phillips High School website and the DPHS Theatre Magnet page.
Considering a move to the Dr. Phillips area? Explore our Dr. Phillips community guide to browse homes for sale, or check out our Dr. Phillips schools and education guide for more on the area's top-rated campuses. Have questions? Contact us for personalized relocation advice!
