Benefit Concert to be Held for SENSE Theatre, 4/18

April is Autism Awareness month and a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the neurodevelopmental disorder impacting social interaction, communication and behavior affects an estimated 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys in the United States. Amidst these disturbing statistics is a program making audiences in Music City aware that there is hope for children with autism to shine.

SENSE Theatre is a theatrical intervention research program designed to improve the social and emotional functioning of children with Autism. The innovative program is a blending of youth actors, who are experts in social communication and language, with children with autism who have challenges around basic social interactions.

On Wednesday April 18th from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, a benefit concert will be held on the Vanderbilt campus at the Turner Recital Hall, Blair School of Music, 2400 Blakemore Avenue, Nashville TN. Tickets are available for $25. SENSE Theatre children with autism will share the stage with Youth actors from the University School of Nashville, demonstrating how art and science can come together to train and entertain! Jeri Sager, veteran Broadway actor best known for her poignant portrayal of Grizabella in CATS, will also perform for her hometown audience. Other inspiring performances include Tammy Vice - Nashville Singer/Songwriter Parent Autism Activist; The Ryan Michaels Band - Winner of 2011 Nashville Independent Music Awards; and conductor Emelyne Bingham with members of The Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra.

"SENSE Theatre creates an opportunity for children with autism to learn from their peers while they play and perform in an imaginative, supportive program," says Blythe Corbett, Ph.D., founder of SENSE Theatre. Dr. Corbett, is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

Proceeds raised by tickets sales to the April benefit will go directly to fund scholarships for children with autism to attend the SENSE Theatre Summer Camp held in June 2012. Although the numbers of children with autism are rising, so too are audiences to applaud the efforts of this extraordinary program.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://sensetheatre.ticketbud.com/sense-theatre-benefit-concert-2012. For more information, visit http://www.sensetheatre.com.

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