TUTS Inclusive Arts Showcase Highlights the Artistic Talents of Students from The River and HSMT

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) presented the Inclusive Arts Showcase to a packed house on Wednesday evening at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Zilkha Hall.

The Inclusive Arts Showcase, which had its inaugural performance last year, is a special production that features visual art and performances by students from The River Performing and Visual Arts Center (The River), and the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT). This year's showcase brought the audience to its feet with applause following the students' inspired performances.

River Alumnus and volunteer, John Fair, along with long-time HSMT students Austin Karkowsky and Kerry Sullivan, emceed the event. Proceeds from the evening benefit the Binstock Fund, which provides financial aid for students with disabilities to engage in the arts, and continues the mission of River Founder, Cathy Binstock, that "everyone deserves the richness of an arts education."

"For The River Performance Troupe, it brings them great joy to get to work with the HSMT kids. It fosters such an environment of inclusion and helps our students to feel right at home expressing themselves through their art," said Eileen Edmonds, TUTS Assistant Director of Education, The River.

To learn more about The River, its classes, and upcoming events, visit TUTS.com/River.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston's leading Musical Theatre Company since 1968, with a focus on education and community engagement. TUTS is a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization that relies on the generous support of our donors to deliver first-rate theatre experiences. For more information, please visit www.tuts.com.

The River Performing and Visual Arts Center (The River) began in 1996 when the Binstock's three-year-old daughter Samantha wanted to take ballet lessons, but was denied access because she has cerebral palsy which affects her vision, balance, speech and movement. Cathy Binstock, who was a clinical social worker, took it upon herself to see that no child would be denied access to arts education because of a disability. With the help of arts instructors and other friends, Binstock started with one creative movement class for seven little girls and The River was born. For more information visit TUTS.com/River

Founded in 1972, the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT), the nationally-recognized educational wing of Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS), offers the only technique-based musical theatre training program in the Houston area. HSMT educates and develops musical theatre students of all ages and is fully committed to providing our community with the very best in performing arts education. Focusing on the principle of process over product, students learn the fundamentals of musical theater performance through year-round courses, productions, workshops, and master classes, all geared toward equipping students with the tools they need to be successful in musical theatre and in life. Visit TUTS.com/hsmt for more information!

Photo credit: Os Galindo

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