(Beverly Hills, CA April 27) The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and The Miracle Project present Work in Progress—an original musical following the lives of young adults as they transition out of high school into the workplace, discover their passion, overcome obstacles and find their place in the world. With a cast of teens and adults with and without autism, the musical aims to help others understand the value of neurodiversity in the workplace and the merits of inclusion for people of all abilities. Work in Progress, performing May 1 – 4 in The Wallis’ Lovelace Studio Theater, opens on the heels of Autism Awareness Month.
“We are very proud to present this important original production,” said Mark Slavkin, The Wallis’ Director of Education. “In showcasing the talents of these wonderful artists, we hope to open more minds and hearts to the contributions that people of all abilities and disabilities have to make.”
“The Miracle Project celebrates the gifts, strengths and talents of all abilities, and believes that inside each and every one of us is a spark, a dream, and a desire to make a difference and be effective in the world,” said The Miracle Project’s Founder Elaine Hall. “I recently returned from participating in World Autism Awareness Day at the United Nations where the topic discussed was the human right to work. So often, persons with disabilities are not only denied this essential right, but also denied the right to dream. We are proud to present Work in Progress with The Wallis and continue to further this critical dialogue.”
Work in Progress emerged from an exploration of dreams, passions and goals of current students of The Miracle Project. Currently, 75% of individuals with disabilities, ages 18 – 64, are unemployed in California, resulting in a society that focuses on what these individuals cannot do, rather than what they can. Work in Progress aims to shift these preconceived notions, and spark a discussion that will help educate employers, transform opinion and elevate minds.
Single tickets for Work in Progress are now available for $20 – $30. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit TheWallis.org, call 310.746.4000, or stop by in person at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Services located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Ticket prices subject to change.
The continued partnership with The Miracle Project illuminates another component of GRoW @ The Wallis, the center’s arts education program. For more information about education initiatives offered through GRoW @ The Wallis, please visit TheWallis.org/Education.
About The Miracle Project:
Founded in 2004, The Miracle Project incorporates a groundbreaking and proven methodology that integrates theater, film and the expressive arts to bring out the best in individuals with autism (verbal and non-verbal) and all abilities. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, autism now affects 1 in 68 children in the United States. Autism is a complex condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges.
Through shared experiences with non-disabled peers, the Miracle Project allows individuals with autism and other disabilities to find their voice, develop their talents and become part of a unique, dynamic, inclusive community. The Miracle Project assists all children of all abilities to grow in skill and in spirit while creating and performing in original musicals. Students, once too anxious to even enter a room of peers, have now performed in front of thousands including Angel Stadium, the Pantages Theater, Club Nokia, Carnegie Hall and the United Nations. This acclaimed arts program was documented in the HBO double Emmy Award-winning documentary, Autism: The Musical. For more information, visit: www.themiracleproject.org.
About the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts:
Since opening its doors in October 2013, The Wallis has produced or presented more than 100 dance, theatre, opera, classical music and family programs to an ever-expanding audience. Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, California, The Wallis brings audiences world-class theater, dance and music, performed by many of the world’s most talented and sought-after artists. Featuring eclectic programming that mirrors the diverse landscape of Los Angeles and its notability as the entertainment capital of the world, The Wallis offers original and revered works from across the U.S. and around the globe. The mission of The Wallis is to create, present and celebrate unique performing arts events and educational programs that reflect the rich cultural diversity of our community. Nominated for 28 Ovation Awards, four L.A. Drama Critic’s Circle Awards and the recipient of six architectural awards since opening in 2013, The Wallis is a breathtaking 70,000-square-foot venue that celebrates the classic and the modern and was designed by Zoltan E. Pali, FAIA of Studio Pali Fekete architects. The building features the restored, original 1933 Beverly Hills Post Office (on the National Register of Historic Places) that serves as the theater’s dramatic yet welcoming lobby, and houses the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater, GRoW at The Wallis: A Space for Arts Education (a gift of Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family and the Annenberg Foundation) and the contemporary 500-seat, state-of-theart Bram Goldsmith Theater. Together, these structures embrace the city’s history and its future, creating a performing arts destination for L.A.-area visitors and residents alike.
For more information about The Wallis, please visit: TheWallis.org.
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TICKET INFORMATION:
What:
Work in Progress
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Lovelace Studio Theater
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210
When:
Monday, May 1 – Thursday, May 4 at 7pm
Performance Schedule: Mon, Tues and Thurs
Tickets:
Single tickets: $20 – $30 (prices subject to change)
Online – TheWallis.org
By Phone – 310.746.4000
Box Office – Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Service
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210
