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Students attend Wallis Annenberg musical "Work in Progress"

On May 3rd, a group of MSA-1's 11th and 12th grade students were given a chance to watch a musical called "Work in Progress" through a collaboration with the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts​​​​​​​ in Beverly Hills.

On May 3rd, a group of MSA-1's 11th and 12th grade students were given a chance to watch a musical called "Work in Progress" through a collaboration with the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.  The play was an original production put on by The Miracle Project which utilizes inclusive theater and expressive arts programs to provide individuals with autism and other disabilities tools to build communication, social skills, a sense of community, and greater self-esteem.

 

The musical chronicles a group of both disabled and non-disabled recent high school graduates as they go to college or try to find jobs.  High expectations and stresses of being away from home for the first time plague the young adults pursuing a college degree, while lack of experience and the stigma of their disabilities make finding a job a real hardship for those pursuing career opportunities.  The play's cast is made up of inclusive members aged nine to 59 years old, some of whom contributed original music and songs to the production.

 

The 28 students who attended the play from MSA-1 were a mix of students with special needs and their typical peers.  The students responded favorably to the production and seemed to change their assumptions of what students with disabilities are able to accomplish.  Frankie, a junior, commented "The play showed us that students with disabilities are able to do things that typical students may not be able to do." Mauricio, also a junior, said, "This play was awesome because it showed us students that we can keep trying and accomplish what we want if we put effort into it."  But, the biggest testament to the poignant production is the group of students who plan to write a letter to The Miracle Project exclaiming, "Maybe we can be in it next year!" 

 

Written by Mrs. Morley & Mrs. Martinez