150 Young Artists Join All-Star Broadway Cast In ARTS FOR AUTISM Benefit Concert

Educational Travel Adventures (ETA) and Believe NYC, organizations that enrich the lives of young people through travel and performance opportunities, announce the return of Arts for Autism, hosted by Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara. The concert will take place at the iconic Gershwin Theatre on Monday, June 19, 2017 at 7:30 p.m., and will benefit Autism Speaks. More than 150 young artists will join the Broadway cast on stage for an evening that will inspire feelings of understanding, acceptance, kindness and compassion.

For more information and tickets, visit artsforautism.net.

Broadway lineup:

Christopher Jackson, Tony Award nominee (Hamilton)

Stephanie J. Block, Tony Award nominee (Falsettos)

Jennifer Laura Thompson (Dear Evan Hansen)

Adrienne Warren, Tony Award nominee (Shuffle Along)

Teal Wicks (Finding Neverland)

John Michael Dias (Beautiful)

Betsy Struxness (Hamilton)

Abby Mueller (Beautiful)

Kelvin Moon Loh (The King and I)

...and more!

This year's show will introduce Mina Cuesta, an incredible lyric soprano on the spectrum who was non-verbal in early childhood. Her parents introduced her to music and that became her pathway to communication. "Mina's love of theatre and singing is infectious and endearing. When she sings it's obvious she has found the thing that makes her feel most alive," Says Jacque Carnahan, Artistic Director and Producer. Mina and Kelli O'Hara will sing a surprise onstage duet with a message to match the inspiration of the evening.

Andrew Duff, diagnosed with autism at age two and Autism Speaks' Multimedia Producer, explains his connection to theater. He says, "It's a place of expression. It's practicing social cues. There's not really a right or a wrong. In some ways, it has helped me more socially than any other therapy I've had." Andrew is scheduled to speak at the show.

"It's inspiring to watch young performing arts students and Broadway actors share a message of acceptance as they are joined on stage by performers on the spectrum. It's a chance for the young people involved to perform on Broadway, a dream for many, and a chance to support an important cause. It's an incredible show," says Michael Holzer, Producer and General Manager of ETA.

Arts for Autism is produced by Educational Travel Adventures (www.etadventures.com) and Believe NYC (Believe-NYC.com) with 100% of proceeds from ticket sales donated to Autism Speaks. Last year's inaugural event raised close to $40,000. The concert will be directed by David Alpert with music direction by Sonny Paladino and orchestrations by Assaf Gleizner.

Watch a preview for the event below!